szkocjasid

Some riders look like obvious choices to up their averages, such as MPT who has a 6.8 Champ ave & a 6.9 Prem ave. So surely he must be able to up his Champ ave? I read others suggest Jake Allen could easily up his average, but I see no "evidence" to support this as he's been on a downward run in recent years, same as Cameron Heeps. In other situations you can expect a rider to up his average by virtue of having an easier riding position in 2023, like Brennan, Vissing, Charles Wright, who should all score more away from the 1&5 positions! You could also argue the likes of Pearson, Fredriksen & Hook should improve as they get used to tracks in their second season, although they could all up their 2022 aves & still finish below their assessed aves! Finally there's the likes of Jonas Knudsen & Marcin Nowak, who didn't ride enough meetings to get a new ave, but we're scoring above their assessed averages.

Not sure how that is "tactically questionable". If Kennedy is the best reserve in the league he should be capable of beating opposition second strings riding at number 6 & Joe T should be beating opposition number 7s most of the time. Swap them round & Kennedy scores the points Joe T would from beating number 7s, but Joe scores far less & so does the team!

Teams are built to a 40 point limit, by the end of the season should average out at 42, so each rider technically should put 0.3ish on their average without improving as a rider.

I'm not saying the team as a whole underperformed, but looking at 5 of the (expected) 2023 team, I can't believe any of Cook, Castagna, Fredriksen, Hook or Bickley were pleased with their 2022 finishing averages!

Both McGurk's, Ablitt & Freeman all have new teams, gonna be a lot a changes for the Colts in 2023!

The elite league fast track format would be useful, heat leaders never meet reserves in that format!

No reason not to post their starting ave's though! As what PTW says, well done Poole

Of the completed sides I'll rank them: 1. Redcar 2. Glasgow 3. Berwick 4. Oxford

Interesting view of the Monarchs team as 5 of their (planned) team are coming off a disappointing season in 2022!

There's no point having a rule to stop the reserves swapping heats, while you can choose which reserve gets the easier number 7 spot. Imo should follow the Prem reserve rules "rs" or lowest averaged reserve has to be at number 7 & can't be replaced on heat 8!

I would suggest Oxford build their team on the basis of Atkins & Killeen upping their starting averages & not depending on the top 5 winning matches on their own. Personally I think they are amongst the weaker 2.00 riders & that Oxford will struggle.

I can't see Edinburgh winning that argument as the NDL was happy to let IOW walk away, rather than work with them to keep them in the league.

It's an exaggeration to say it's virtually the same riders in the top 2 divisions. Looking at Premiership riders in Champ teams: Berwick (3), Birmingham (2), Edinburgh (1), Glasgow (1or 2), Oxford (3), Plymouth (2 or 3), Poole (1 so far, likely 4), Redcar (5), Scunthorpe (1 so far, likely 3).

That team looks very strong, but Workington have also made a great start to their team building. Can't say they are favourites till more teams sign riders. But as things stand wouldn't be surprised to see Leicester & Workington in the play-offs.

I've seen the crash & it didn't look dirty to me. As I saw it Morris drifted out as McAllan came over & they clashed, racing incident as I saw it.

Complin was very poor at Newcastle, take away those home matches (he'll never have to race at Brough Park again) and he averaged 3.86 (4.43) which is a decent "away" average for a 4.00 rider. Taking into account all his Champ level matches (inc guesting) minus his Newcastle home matches and he averaged 4.32 (4.72). Away from Brough Park he did much better!

That price would certainly put me off attending. The diehards will go no matter what, others will pick & choose their matches depending on the opposition. Fans who don't feel £20 is value for money may go even less. I don't know the right answer as halfing the cost doesn't guarantee double the crowd! But I do feel £20 is too much for second tier speedway!

Actually 11.09. No Championship team is gonna sign a rider on that average.

Kinda expecting Cook to be announced on Christmas Eve, perfect Christmas present for Monarchs fans.

Jake Allen should have a 6.30 ave, Lee Complin 4.00.

Don't think that's a good idea, if someone gets injured right at the end of July clubs will have to use guests for 2 / 3 months rather than signing a replacement. Certainly think they had to tighten up on the transfer rules after Lambert's brief cameo for Belle Vue!

If Allen is "far more talented", why does he have a lower Champ ave than Thomson?

Gotta agree with you there. Zagar was awesome at the NSS (9.37/10.15) but a far different rider away from home (5.68/6.53).

I'm certain you're wrong there. Any rider who "graduates" from the RS scheme gets a 25% reduction, Brennan due to his average, Mountain & Hume due to their age.

Im sure he can, I feel I remember reading that when the RS system first came out.