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Don't agree with any suggestions of signing riders like Ruml, Manzares or any 4.00 foreigners. Birmingham starting with Morris & Nielsen at reserve would be the strong point of the team, adding a 4.00 rider just moves one of them up into the top 5.

I agree Birmingham "need another big hitter" but it doesn't mean there are any available who want to come & race for them

With riders like Wright, Hume & Etheridge at reserve, Brummies won't even have the strongest reserve in the league!

I can't see them finding a rider on a higher ave than Auty. Gotta agree with Jimsboy here

Not away from home though!

I don't understand the negativity from many regarding the King's Lynn team. Both Lawson & Pickering have shown they can score well in the Prem. Although in Pickering's case he'll have to do it from a harder position after racing at no 4 last year. Kildemand got his 7.1 ave in a far weaker league, so should be looking at 7.5 minimum. Jorgensen, Kerr & Worrall have all shown they can get a 5.5/6.0 ave as second strings, so whoever is at reserve should be the best reserve in the league in my opinion. While Thomas may not be the strongest RS in the league, he's not far behind & had his best season yet in 2021, so is clearly on the rise.

My predictions based on confirmed signings: King's Lynn Sheffield Wolverhampton Peterborough Ipswich Belle Vue

I can see Flint getting a 7+ ave in the Champ, but certainly not in the Prem. Maybe 4.00 ave is more realistic for Wolves.

Based on confirmed signings, my current predictions: Glasgow Leicester Edinburgh Oxford Redcar Newcastle Plymouth Scunthorpe Berwick Poole Birmingham

This is the best "realistic" team I can come up with for the Brummies Birmingham 2022? Josh Auty 7.42 Josh Bates 5.90 Justin Sedgmen 5.55 Ty Proctor 5.42 James Shanes 4.88 Ashley Morris 4.68 Stefan Nielsen 4.52 Total 38.37

The Cook's & Kemp could move up & down throughout the season!

I'd disagree with your assessment of James Chattin, he's hardly had any chances at NL, only a few guest booking & never had a permanent position.

Spooner is at Mildenhall

Great signing, with a big top 2 can afford to fill the bottom end with more 3.00 riders!

Not sure what I make of the Oxford reserve signings, wouldn't call them strong - 2 riders who couldn't reach the minimum 4.00 for foreigners. But also not weak - they weren't far behind. A tad disappointed they've got a NDL team but not using a British rider to double up in both sides, such as Jake Mulford!

Theres not a lot of NDL standard talent out there waiting to be signed, so could struggle for a "competitive" team. But putting a team together is easy, just pick 5 x 3.00 men & lose each week (save on points money).

Can't imagine there will be many doubters, looks the strongest team by far imo!

Very good point, put 4 x 8/9 point riders in heat 13 & 15 and they will only score 12 points over 8 rides (6.00 ave) so King is bound to have a lower ave in these heats!

I think the RS system worked too well, most of the reserves are now second strings, so to keep the RS system would mean moving up the next bunch on prospects, who are far weaker & Champ sides don't want to weaken their league!

Racing in all 3 leagues would certainly suit the rider in question, but I think it's a shame if some riders can't get a team or only have one team, while others have 3. My other thought is, if you're good enough for the Prem you're too good for the NDL!

Both Gilkes & D Thompson are still very inexperienced having ridden only 1 season at Champ level, so they are clearly still "developing" is that not what the NDL is for? Just because a rider is good doesn't mean he shouldn't race in NDL imo. I guess you could argue any U21 rider should be allowed to stay in the NDL (if they want to)?

RTD may be in the team, but I think it would be alongside Rothery & the 2 Millars rather than replacing them.

I personally don't see Armadale replacing a 3.00 local rider for a 5.00 man who travels for home meetings.

Comments from the Luke Crang signing by Berwick: "Ladies and Gentlemen Luke Crang is back at Shielfield Park as a Grant Henderson Tankers Bullet for 2022 and he is determined to exchange last season’s silver medal for gold this year!" Luke adds: "I have every belief that this side has got what it takes to win the league" Obviously the riders want to win the league!

Looks a strong top 3, but has a very long tail with 4 x reserves.