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Joe T would be my choice if they were gonna make a change.

Now I have nothing against Ipswich, but I would love it if they win every match in the "qualifying league" but lost out in the play-offs. Just so more people would agree that the play-offs are wrong! Ideally with the team that finishes 5th winning it (having been 4th at the cut-off date).

Nah Ermolenko is a better team manager than Schroeck imo.

Would it be worth using Zischke at number 2, where he did so well last year? Less pressure that riding at number 5?

If there was a rider on a 7 point ave available to replace Cook, even temporarily, I'd go ahead & do it. But if not, I'd stick with guests or r/r. I wouldn't make a double change, can't see any top riders willing to come over. Edit: Lynn's total average will drop in May, they'd have 7.30 available to replace Cook.

Gilkes wasn't great for Sheffield last year, so while he was an option, I wouldn't say it's shocking he didn't get picked. Boughen is on a par with Gilkes in the Champ, so Lynn could (rightly imo) think no point in swapping Boughen for Gilkes. Hagon is only a reserve because 1) he has a British reduction, 2) because Berwick have built their team to have a strong reserve. For example Hagon has a higher average than fellow "rising star" Mulford who is in Redcar's top 5. Gilkes may come into contention at some point, but I wouldn't expect any Prem side to change their RS this early in the season.

I seem to notice a trend this season with fans wanting what they don't have, or could be pointing out "flaws" on other sides. Glasgow "need stronger reserves" Oxford "only have one heat leader" Workington"only have one heat leader" Redcar "will struggle if one of the top 5 underperforms" Scunthorpe"need more big hitters" So if you have strong reserves then your top end is too weak & vice versa. With a low points limit (anything below 42 is low imo) sides will always look weak in some areas. I've gotta say I think it makes for a fascinating season. In this case, I can understand why Workington built with a stronger bottom end than last year, reserve strength was their biggest issue last year. Zischke & Vuolas were very strong at home last year, so maybe big home wins is Workington's plan for success in 2025?

You never know for sure, but of Kemp is at 4 every meeting & the opposition team manager moves a stronger rider to 4 to counter that, I fully expect Berwick to leave the side as it is & not "counter the counter". Sorry for taking over the Glasgow vs Edinburgh thread with Berwick, but once a discussion heads in a different direction, it would be odd answering on a different thread!

Bit early to say that after only ONE match imo Also, let's see how Marson does against his fellow 2.00 opponents. Not expecting much from him in general, but Oxford have a good looking bottom end, so not fair to judge him on this meeting.

I do understand that logic, although could mean the tac subs would come in heat 12 instead? Of course if Glasgow only went 6 up after heat 13, then having Howarth or Dan T at 4 covers heat 14. Seeing Berwick have Borke at 3 & Kemp at 4, I'd be moving Flint to 3 for those fixtures.

Birmingham & Oxford for a start.

Given that Flint has already announced he wants to be Glasgow number one, I don't see why they would need to shy him away from a "pressure position" not that I think he's in one (riding at 1&5 would be pressure). That being said, there's no reason why a team manager can't swap riders round based on tracks / opposition / who's on form / who rides well together? There's not many that swap around the riding order there days.

I don't understand what Wright was getting upset about, pretty embarrassing to see a professional sportsman acting like a toddler imo

Kinda ironic that Poole seems to do the very least when it comes to youth development, only started running NDL individuals because they had to, but could end up signing two of the most promising young Brits

How much of a difference does that make? If you're stronger in 14, then you're weaker in 12. I rather move the riders around based on the opposition, when a team has a stronger rider at 4, put Dan T or Howarth at 4, otherwise have Flint at 4?

Perry & Hodder are doing their jobs. When a team signs 2 x 2.00 riders it's not the reserves job to win them meetings.

Totally agree, massive match for Lynn here. Big match for Leicester too, but an away loss isn't so harmful for their top 4 bid.

No need to apologise for an error, to me it's the averages I would look at rather than team position, a rider could be a heat leader in one team, but a second string in another. Normally you'd think a 3.11 rider to replace a 6.00 rider, there must be someone stronger available? Other options for Oxford were Keynan Rew, Adam Ellis, Anders Rowe & Lewis Kerr? I think Dan T could get loads of guest bookings till he gets a more realistic average.

Depends if the club wants to focus on development or winning. If it's development, put the strongest rider in the top 5, let him learn by racing tougher riders & allow the weaker 3.00 riders more races against the opposition reserves by riding at 6 & 7. If they want to win the league / trophy, put the strongest at reserve & give him extra rides.

Well Kildemand is a second string not a heat leader. I guess I can't see any rider that Oxford could bring in to give themselves a chance. For Dan a good chance to see what he can do in the top 5?

Is that supposed to be a joke? If it's not, he's my reply. Pickering's current average (not GSA) is higher than any of the Stars. Plus he was at home. Lynn's only hope was to take points of Tigers bottom end, which based on the first 2 meetings, won't be easy at Owlerton. If it was a joke, made me giggle!

Glasgow have planned their team for the top 5 to score the majority of the points, I don't see them changing that philosophy. If the season goes on & they were struggling, it could be that they'd swap round 2.00 riders? But like you say, madness to be thinking about changes after 2 Challenge matches.

All that was announced, was that he was "unavailable". Leicester couldn't start with 6 riders, so had to sign a replacement. Berwick we're in a position to wait a couple of weeks before their first team matches.

Two days after the match & I'm still waiting for Oxford's match report, was looking to see what excuses Schroeck has this time. Didn't take them so long after the Cheetahs victory on Wednesday to post the match report.

I think people are over reacting to Lynn's early season form. Granted they had a disappointing away defeats at Sheffield & Belle Vue, but that could be the norm this season for most away teams. They beat Oxford home & away, while the home loss to Belle Vue could be a one-off with better luck. They're still be fighting for 4th spot with Leicester imo. Which tbh is a big improvement on previous seasons. I wouldn't make any changes while Harris is still at reserve. Once he moves into the top 5, then I'd judge if anyone needs to be replaced. Certainly Kvech & Cook have been the biggest disappointments, I don't understand why Cook has been so poor, obviously riding at number one isn't easy, but he still rides with the number 2 in three races, it's not like every heat is a "heat 13". Besides if he can sign for a Polish Extraliga club & score double figures, should he not be able to score similar over here against weaker opposition? Anyway if Lynn can win their next two home matches against Leicester & Oxford, which they should be able to do, things will look a bit more promising. If they can't, then I'd be wanting to make changes.