szkocjasid

Attempting a team using former Fen Tigers Connor Coles 8.00 Jack Kingston 6.45 Matt Marson 6.20 Alex Spooner 5.07 Luke Muff 4.83 Elliott Kelly 4.41 Sam Woolley 3.00 Total 37.96

Yeah, totally agree. With a sparse fixture list it's very disappointing.

I'd normally agree with that reasoning, except a few people have said Berwick get good crowds for the Border Trophy?

In one way it's a positive that Oxford (& Birmingham) haven't completed their teams. You'd think they could very easily sign British based riders like Batchelor, Kerr or Sedgmen, I can't imagine any of them turning down a doubling up spot? They are already based here, so don't have to worry about flights etc. The fact they haven't signed them must mean they are looking at stronger options, which has to be a positive right?

The problem is fans don't always attend in numbers to make more fixtures viable, obviously this isn't the case for every fan but maybe the majority? 1) Fans say "we want more matches" 2) Clubs put on a challenge match to start the season 3) fans don't turn up in great numbers, say they want official fixtures only 4) clubs put on NDL matches 5) fans don't turn up, say they want Championship level racing only 6) because Edinburgh, Glasgow, Redcar & Scunthorpe all race on Fridays, to make 2 home & 2 away work, clubs have to ride on an off- race night 7) fans don't turn up, say they want Friday matches only. Not saying the current situation is great, just that every solution / alternative has flaws.

It has nothing to do with Poole, other than the fact they are not in the Premiership nor in the Premiership KOC. If you posted a new thread in the Premiership section maybe called "new KOC idea" fans, especially of other Premiership teams could comment wether they think it's a good idea or not, maybe get a healthy debate going? But posting here could clog up the thread with comments that have nothing to do with Poole.

Interesting idea, but should be in the Premiership section.

Did the same thing not happen at Peterborough, they wanted Tarasenko to ride at reserve but Wojdylo had to ride there, despite there being no ruling to enforce that decision?

I would have thought Redcar & Workington were the best options as they're not in the same BSN group?

I think Scott is the strongest unsigned 2.00 rider, however he may not want to risk his average going above 2.00 knowing he'll get dropped. If it does go above 2.00 makes it harder for him to fit into the Oxford team as a double switch with Nicholls - not that's there's a guarantee he'll fit even on a 2.00 average. I think Jody Scott would be better off agreeing to ride 5 matches (& KOC) for Poole, then see what his average is before deciding wether to carry on? It's a very unique situation, of a rider knowing he'll be dropped, so he's bound to think of his average, compared to normal 2.00 signings.

Only 6 matches needed for a new average, Cairns would get a new average before the season ends.

That's a confusing reply, if you don't count Cook's reduction, why would you count Hagon's lol!

They only use one average, which is a riders starting average. Therefore Hagon has a lower average than Borke & will start at reserve.

No he won't.

Best time to run it is early season when riders want "paid practice". Be good for Monarchs new boys & hopefully some former favourites to help generate a big crowd.

It was always announced as provisional when they listed the KOC quarter finals. Even when the fixtures were posted Sheffield vs Poole was still listed as provisional. Can't blame Poole imo. Perhaps the BSPL should have given them a month to declare either way, so it would have been sorted sooner, but if they let Poole take their time, can you really blame Poole? I'm disappointed I'm Poole's lack of ambition, I know it'll cost more, but I honestly expected a massive crowd for the Premiership fixtures. But at the same time, it's their business & if they want to look after number one, that's their choice.

You would imagine the top riders should end up with higher averages, for example the two number ones only met once. By that logic others would have harder rides (no heat 12&14, where a top 4 rider meets a reserve) so middle order rider averages could have been lower? Apart from including bonus points, then they are higher. Simple really lol! I'll add a point about Oxford so it's relevant, I'm surprised they dropped Chris Harris, especially as they're apparently struggling for the last rider?

That doesn't make a difference, the averages have always been based on 4 rides, so amount of heats per match shouldn't change anything. 6 or 8 man teams would.

What point are you making as Spiderman1 rates Scunthorpe to do well?

Exclude Plymouth & that's a very good prediction

Probably agree they won't make the play-offs, not that I think they're a bad team (be a boring forum if we all agreed lol). I could see them finishing 8th, but only a couple of points off 4th, think it could be that close.

Poole: clearly not a strong as last year, could struggle at reserve till Cairns signs, still expect them to make the top 4, with Rowe a big improver. Oxford: I really think they've got lots of potential in the reserve berths, which could see Gilkes & Knudsen ending up there, which is a power packed bottom end. Obvious problem is 2nd & 3rd heat leaders, but bottom end could cover that, play-off contenders. Scunthorpe: as I said above see improvement from ZK, so expect a strong reserve pairing & plenty of home wins. Not favourites for a top 4 spot, but in contention. Workington: far better reserves than last year, top 3 awesome at home. If Zischke & Vuolas can improve their away form, great chance of a top 4 spot. Also a big season for Bowes & Etheridge, if they can do enough to keep Foord & Hook at reserve, looks very solid. Glasgow: Must be the best top 5 in the league, but also the weakest reserve pairing by far. Dan T, Howarth (if he's at 3) should be pushing 8 point averages. Flint & Boughen should be putting a point on their averages. Just becomes a question of can they win the league with 5 riders scoring the baulk of the points? Redcar: best heat leader trio by far, King should add something to his average (if at 3). Really impressed by Jason Edwards, so an awesome top 4 in truth. Question marks over the bottom 3, Mulford has been a slow improver, but now in the top 5, think it could be a struggle for him to maintain his average. Reserves only slightly better than Glasgow's. The top 4 makes it look at play-offs side though. Edinburgh: lacking a top rider, but have a very solid 1-6 & the best 2 pointer imo. Not favourites, but see no reason why they can't mount a play-off challenge. Plymouth: look the weakest team so far, Klindt's average will drop, but he's a good number one. Even weaker heat leaders than Oxford. Fredriksen should do well, which could leave Bowtell as a potent reserve. But this looks a wooden spoon side to me. Berwick: much better looking team than in recent years, looks a strong top 2, Kemp looked good at the end of last year & should carry on that improvement. Borke is tough to call, was very good at number 7, but now starts in the top 5 after coming back from a serious injury. Whoever is at reserve with Wood should do well there though. There's not a lot between the teams so tough to pick a finishing order, probably say: Redcar & Glasgow top 2. Poole bound to make the top 4, they always do. Maybe Oxford, Workington & Berwick favourites for 4th. Scunthorpe, Edinburgh in with a chance. Plymouth rank outsiders.

Quite a few don't rate Scunthorpe, but I think they a decent looking side. I'm expecting big things from Zaine Kennedy, pushing Luke Harrison back to reserve, where he should then add to his average. So if Declan Kennedy can simply keep his assessed average, then they'll have one of the strongest reserve pairings in the league. Might not be great away, but the top 4 are all capable of winning multiple races at home.

Bit strange to say Edinburgh will struggle unless one of their new signings drops his average lol! Assuming you're meaning if he drops to 4.00, allows a change, then gets back to his starting 6.00 average? Otherwise how would one rider dropping points to be gained by another strengthen the team? Mind you, if he can average 8.00, that's the 2 point advantage without the need for another change.

I think this is one of the most open seasons for a long time. I can't see an outright favourite, there's 8 clubs who can challenge for the play-offs, only Plymouth look out of it & massive favourites for the wooden spoon. Every other team can be positive of their chances for the coming season.