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Biggest problem with these individuals is 8 & 12 mam race formats don't work well. Sone riders meet twice, others don't meet at all. If you run an individual GP could go with top 16 averaged riders for each round?

Shanes, Morris & Nielsen = 22 pts Bowtell, Coles & Morley = 5 pts Pickering, Sedgmen & Wells = 22 pts Barker, Andersen & Nicholls = 33 pts Despite Pickering top scoring, it was the lower half of the team that won it for Birmingham it seems!

8+2 from Shanes

"deluded" is a bit harsh, everyone is entitled to their own opinion! On paper Birmingham should be able to score 51, only if they all ride to their best, that never seems to happen with the Brummies though!

Not sure why a club should get "special dispensation" for a guest, according to the rules they should either be allowed a guest or not! Rules should be black & white and easy to understand!

Based on Joe Thompson's recent form I've spotted a flaw with the rolling averages dropping from 20-10 matches by the end of the season. If Joe races the last 8-10 matches in the team he could have a 3.00 ave for next year, if he races the last 8-10 matches at reserve he could have a 6.00 ave for next year! Sometimes riders will go from team to reserve throughout the season (Kennedy / Lambert / Palin) which should even itself up. But as the first half of the fixtures are forgotten, could make a big difference for 2023 starting averages!

Not sure that would make much difference: 1) only top averaged rider has to run at 1. Numbers 2-5 can be any other top 5 rider. 2) Team managers rarely swap riders round based on form / opposition / tracks, so don't think giving more freedom would do anything! They already have options & don't use them!

What I understand is, Atkins can't sign for Oxford till he's removed from the Plymouth 1-7. Plymouth can't remove him from their 1-7 till they sign a replacement. Plymouth can't find anyone willing to drive to Plymouth for Tuesday's. I guess this means Atkins may have to sit out the rest of the season? Tbh I don't feel for him, he's left Plymouth in the lurch & it certainly seems childish to leave a club because you disagreed with the team manager. From what I've read of his Dad causing issues, not sure why Oxford would want to sign "Team Atkins"?

Pickering has a higher average than Wells, but Birmingham could choose either rider to replace Vissing or Auty!

Leicester could've used one of their NL riders instead of Edwards to save money!

Much nicer way of dropping a rider than Sheffield, who pointed out Nielsen's failings!

While I felt the signing of Smith for Congreave strengthened Newcastle, can't judge Smith on one match against the strongest reserve pairing in the league on form, I would certainly sign Bickley in place of Smith now. Very harsh to drop a rider after one match, but Newcastle must be desperate to strengthen up & avoid these 30+ home defeats.

Not exactly the same, in those individuals you get a final regardless of the score. Maybe that'll be the next plan, after 15 heats have a super heat for the win - guaranteed last heat decider everytime lol!

But how is it more exciting than heat 15? Going into heat 15 both teams could win or there could be a draw!

To make it more realistic, you should add +4 to every team still to go to Newcastle!

Rowe has potential, but his scores haven't matched that so far.

Rowe is still the RS, Hume is still the no 8. Regardless they can use either rider. But if Hume got injured they'd have to use Rowe again!

That's why I don't know how dropping back to just NL will help Bickley's confidence. We already know he's a 9.5 NL rider & a 3.5 Champ rider. If Bickley drops to NL & keeps scoring to his 9.5 ave, what will have changed? How will that help his confidence? He already knows he's a NL heat leader! How will he know when to step back up?

Doesn't matter, you can make as many changes as you like in the Champ!

Forgot they were still in the Cup tbh, if Knudsen is a good as Basso, will make them a strong team.

I agree with Lisa, an over rated 3.5 rider is better than a 2.00 rider. Unless there's someone better than Bickley, under Rowe's ave who wants to race in the UK. Personally think Palin is more over rated, Godfrey was expecting him to be a heat leader this year, which I could never see happening as he previously was only good at Scunthorpe & Belle Vue. Needs to improve on away tracks first!

If Berwick are serious about making the play-offs, then certainly build the strongest team possible. Will they be able to gain 3 or 4 away wins to achieve this? When I look at the NL averages of Stoneman 8.76 (9.90) & Blair 8.38 (9.38) there's not a lot in it. That being said I have been impressed with Stoneman's efforts guesting for the Cheetahs.

That makes me think, give him a shot before he's too old!

I certainly was under the impression, they still wanted to move up to Champ level?

Watered down even more? The championship has never been stronger!