szkocjasid

Can the BSPL afford to do that with so few teams remaining?

Of course they're on the way down, ex GP riders on the way up don't race in the Champ lol! Anyway, while I get your point, Batchelor's form last season allows him to be a 3rd heat leader, while Cook was decent (when he was there). At their peaks, team would be over the limit. Biggest issue with Cook would be him not starting the season, as long as he starts the club could use guests if he went missing. I think the silence when he goes missing goes against Cook. If for example he came out & said "I'm having mental health issues & have been signed off by a doctor" I think people would be far more understanding. But when he doesn't turn up & clubs say very little, fans could feel he just can't be bothered.

I've never said Hume was gonna jump up a level, my original point was disagreeing with this comment "he will not improve, I don't get why people can't grasp that" - to me that's a very strong statement. There's no evidence he won't improve, it's not like he's gone downhill year after year. I looked at slightly different averages, counting a full season not just the rolling aves, as the 2022 season only had a 10 match rolling ave so doesn't show his form for the whole season, plus his 2025 average carried half of 2024 matches. So in 2025 he had his best average in the Champ, that doesn't suggest to me, he'll never improve. 2021 - 4.98 2022 - 5.54 2023 - 4.90 2024 - 4.99 2025 - 5.68 my Hume comments have been: "but why were you so sure he wouldn't improve?" "He may not get any better, but I wouldn't say he can't" Edit: just noticed since he left Glasgow, he's never dropped back down to reserve.

Bowes had a much better home average this year, McDiarmid was much better away. If Mitch can learn how to ride his home track better, his average could rise by 2+ points imo. Being an Aussie, I'd kind of expect Workington to suit Bowes more than Poole would, so think his average could even drop!

agree with both of these, couldn't have put it any better

The play-offs will certainly stay, no chance of them disappearing imo. Maybe it'll be top 2 straight final or top 3 if it's a 5 team league. If they get 6, will stick to the top 4, which they did before. While I dislike play-offs & think table toppers should be Champions, it's not like British Speedway is alone in doing this, so wouldn't say it harms the sports credibility (guests probably do that more).

Well Hume's 2025 scoring was better than the previous season, so he was going in he right direction. He may not get any better, but I wouldn't say he can't.

I agree Glasgow had an awesome top 5, was pointing out it's weaker this year as you mentioned their reserves are stronger. As the league is weaker Oxford's top 5 wouldn't need to be on a par with Glasgow's from last year. If Riss goes back to his best, plus McDiarmid & Killeen ride to their potential, then Oxford could be close to Glasgow's 2025 top 5 though. This year rate Oxford's top 5 higher, but Glasgow's reserves as stronger. With Poole the favourites (assuming they've signed Rushen). Pedersen and Hausl could make the difference though, be interesting to see how they go. Think Oxford should be happy with McDiarmid & Killeen though with more British track experience.

I agree, but also a weaker top 3 / top 5. Just pointing out weaker reserves doesn't mean you can't win anything. Glasgow were only a superheat away from the title. Don't think Oxford will be favourites, but think they'll be up there challenging.

Hume doesn't fit now so I guess it's irrelevant, but why were you so sure he wouldn't improve? You're entitled to your opinion, but others who think he may improve are not necessarily wrong.

Lambert & Perry would be the best options for the final 2 imo

I wouldn't be too concerned about the reserves. The top 5 should be good enough to carry them. I do think they could be 3.00 reserves, but don't expect massive improvement. But even that would be stronger than Glasgow's bottom 2 & they topped the table.

I would just hate to build a team 1.5 under the limit, which may not happen. But depending on who they end up with - I could feel Wood would've been better. If they go with Paco & Kyle, wouldn't have been surprised if Wood got the last spot, maybe they'll go another way?

He'd have been a good signing with 2.5 available, not so great if they end up with 3.7 available.

Wise move by Cook if that's the case.

What "unfinished business" could Zach Cook have with Poole, they've won everything multiple times? If he had said "I want to win more titles" that would've made more sense to me!

I make Pickering's average 11.64 (7.76 x 1.5) meaning the above team would be over the limit? Although I notice the confirmed signings thread also has him at 11.46!

But Poole, who Rushen's rumoured to be joining, always say they don't pay more than othe clubs? 🤔

Confuses me too, thought every clubs fans would want him?

Personally I think Kemp's the better rider, but have obviously heard of his temperament issues. In a slightly weaker league, Sedgmen should be a pretty decent reserve.

Kinda answered your own question, Mondays & Thursdays work as they allow riders to double up. Both leagues racing on the same night means more guests.

It's funny, plus it's pretty true.

Tends to score pretty well at reserve, then of he went into the top 5, Hume would score well!

How about? Peter Kildemand - 8.05 Victor Palovaara - 7.35 Nick Morris - 6.86 Lasse Fredriksen - 5.49 Danyon Hume - 4.97 Alfie Bowtell - 4.65 Max Perry - 2.29 Total - 39.66

Well no point in arguing over the pros or cons of Grahn as he's been signed now. I'd have no issue with Kye as 3rd heat leader, as he performed really well as number 5 in the latter half of the season. As for Heeps, he went downhill after leaving Edinburgh, had 3 seasons averaging 5ish or less, then had a much better season in 2024, before reverting back this season. So my thinking is if he's been a 6+ rider as recently as 2024 why can't he reach that level again? Apart from that, I'd sign him for the same reason Poole signed Kerr & Workington signed Batchelor when they dropped their averages. As for Lasse his GSA has gone up every season, so I wouldn't agree that he "isn't getting any better". Jacob Hook could also be an alternative to Lasse. Now I'm not saying either of these riders will definitely up their averages, my theory is combined Fredriksen & Heeps would score more than Castagna & Wood! Finally as people laughed at my Coles suggestion, can you name riders under 3.74 (if they go with Paco & Kye) who will do better? Wood, Perry & James have been suggested, while they possibly could do better, there's no guarantee - otherwise they would have a higher average than Connor! I'm not saying Coles is 100% the best option, no-one stands out above the rest imo. So thought use the guy with the highest average.