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Then of I was Birmingham I wouldn't say it was a mutual decision, just say "we're disappointed Jason doesn't want to return". At least that way, they're letting the fans know they aren't trying to weaken the team.

The old Elite League fast track format was like that. I thought it was a really good format, heat leaders meet more often, reserves meet more often, should mean closer racing, which is beneficial to the fans & help develop the riders too.

Berwick are unbeaten at home. Like you say, good replacement for Hume & they're in with a good chance.

Top 2 Poole Glasgow Fighting for 3rd / 4th place Redcar Edinburgh Berwick Oxford Workington Fighting to avoid wooden spoon Scunthorpe Plymouth

Especially when Edwards didn't want to return to Birmingham as a number 6! Now he's guesting against them as one.

Brilliant move. Ipswich have built their team so brilliantly & now even their second choice RS is a strong rider, something other clubs couldn't manage. Really should be favourites for everything. Even after the aggregate loss to Lynn, still think Ipswich look the strongest team on paper. But they'll need to do it on the track over the final 4 matches.

Yeah, nothing wrong what that move at all.

I can't believe Birmingham didn't bring back Edwards as their RS. Do they even want to avoid the wooden spoon? Nothing against Hagon he's done a fair job, but he's not as good as Edwards, it should be as simple as that. Now I know people will say "maybe Edwards didn't want to come back" but Birmingham announced it as a mutual decision.

Workington certainly looking good at home. Can they do enough away to pick up the deducted points they lost?

I think some people are greatly overlooking Redcar because they're missing Riss. Now of course they are weakened without him. But even counting Wright, King & Edwards as heat leaders, only Glasgow & Poole have a stronger heat leader trio! After tonight feel Scunthorpe & Plymouth are out of the play-offs hunt, but still all to play for with 5 clubs going for the last 2 spots.

On paper the Scunny team looks decent. 2 x 5 point reserves, the Kennedy's & Harrison putting points on their averages. If they want to go with stronger heat leaders, will suffer at 6 & 7. Then who will they sign? Redcar can't find a replacement for Riss, Berwick have 7+ available to replace Hume but haven't got anyone. Until Nicholls made his return, Champ sides could only bring in second strings & reserves. Apart from MPT & it seemed most Scunny fans were happy to see him go (from what I can remember).

I agree there's a risk, but Redcar's reserves will only get 9 rides between them, using r/r they'd get 10 or 11 (depending if Mulford took a r/r outing before dropping out). While I'd recommend taking a number 8, Redcar wouldn't have needed to use him.

Poole & Glasgow look certain for a top 4 spot, after that the last 2 spots are very open. Wouldn't rule anyone out.

I don't blame Redcar for not getting a stronger guest than Etheridge (maybe no-one else was available), my only question is, once no stronger option were available should they still use a guest over r/r. As for "another away defeat" Glasgow are one of the strongest teams in the league, wouldn't be a shock of they won all of their remaining home league fixtures. Redcar look good for a top 4 place, but will want to pick up an away win somewhere.

What do Redcar fans think of Etheridge guesting? I think r/r would be the better option: King, Edwards, Mulford & Pijper or Scott. Two riders stronger, 2 riders weaker (although Mulford isn't a lot weaker).

One thing that confuses me, so Rob Lyon wanted to use Harrison in heat 15 for his 3rd ride, so why not just use him in heat 13 instead? It would be against the same 2 Ipswich riders? Why would using Harrison in 15 be any more beneficial than in 13? Either way allows Klindt in 12 & 14! Even if the argument was to not take a ride away from Lawson in heat 13, you could just give him heat 15 instead.

Berwick could make the play-offs if they strengthen up. Don't know who's available, but I don't think either of the riders you've mentioned would make the difference they need!

Are there really enough tracks in Britain to turn anyone down?

Great performance by Lynn. Couple more performances like that on the league & play-off fight would've been on.

While everyone is entitled to an opinion, that may be the most rediculous thing I've ever read on the forum!

I thought it was a well known rule, riders needing to take 3 rides in the first 14 heats (unless injured) how would the ref (& team manager) not know that rule by heart?

Should McDiarmid have gotten more rides? Scored better than Palovaara & Killeen!

If that was true why would Doyle & Sayfutdinov routinely miss out on heat 15 (unless the match depends on it)? Unless scoring more points earns them more than a guarantee, would it not make sense to give them more rides?

Totally agree, Plymouth team looks far stronger both in the heat leader position & at reserve.

Is Jenkins going to be fit and why haven't they picked Drew Kemp?