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I don't understand why people can be so anti MPT, he has a near 8 point average. It's not like I'm suggesting a reserve to replace Cook.

MPT would be worth a shout imo

This has to be worrying for Berwick supporters Confirmation that your R.E.D Bandits, powered by STS, will be represented by Drew Kemp and skipper Danyon Hume in Saturday’s Championship Pairs at Workington, 3pm. With winter signing Peter Kildemand still sidelined under the concussion protocol following his spill at Oxford last week and Craig Cook unavailable at this time the baton passes to a couple of last season’s standout performers.

Possibly the teams where Monarchs had a number one on an assessed average they couldn't get near to (Nermark, Moller & Correy) but it's far too early to say if this is the weakest team as the "unknowns" could become good.

I think people would agree Edinburgh don't have a strong spearhead, but that's not what will make the team successful. If the new / returning riders can adapt to Britain, that's what could help them win meetings.

My thoughts are as follows, if it is such a big loophole, why has it not been closed for 30+ years? The alternatives are either less value for money for the fans (3 rider races) or create more unnecessary cost (travel costs for an 8th rider who may not ride all season). When a rule is brought it to "fix" a problem the same rule can cause another problem. For example the 7 day suspension for missing a match due to a non speedway injury was brought in to stop riders say miss an Exeter away match, but carry on riding elsewhere, by saying they weren't well on the day. But that causes 2 problems, 1) riders who are genuinely ill for one day miss a week's worth of fixtures, 2) could lead to a rider riding when not well to avoid this, then causing a crash as they weren't strong enough to hold on? Same thing could happen if the RS couldn't be replaced, would they go out when not fit if it was the difference between winning the league or not. Anyway looks like we're not gonna see eye to eye on this one, which is fine, would be a boring forum if we all agreed all the time.

Yeah, I'm not sure why such a fuss is being made here. Even before the rising star rule was introduced, anytime a weaker reserve got injured before completing 3 rides his team benefits. It doesn't happen often enough for their to be any conspiracy about cheating imo, plus like you say, they need to be signed off by a doctor.

The more I look at Tigers top end, think I fancy them for the win now, will Paco & Sedgmen be able to score double figures against Glasgow's top 4? Maybe my previous prediction was based more on hope as I'd love the Monarchs to win this one.

I assure you the Monarchs & Tigers fans will care & love to get one over on their arch rivals. The management may decide it's more valuable to give all the riders 4 rides each, but that doesn't mean the Scottish Cup means nothing. I'm not sure there such a thing as a "friendly" when it comes to Edinburgh & Glasgow lol!

I'll suggest Monarchs scoring at least 8 more points than Glasgow at reserve. Is that heavily outscoring, down to personal opinion I guess?

I find Birmingham very difficult to predict, a fair few times last year I predicted decent performances when they had Nicholls guesting or had a strong reserve only for them to be awful. So now even if they look strong, I just expect them to lose.

I think Edinburgh's reserves will heavily outscore Glasgow's, so expecting a home win.

I'm not a fan of the extra 5% rule tbh. It's supposed to help the home team as most riders are better at home, I don't see why that's necessary. Like you say, why have so many complications to the rulebook?

If Oxford thought they were bound to lose, may have been an opportunity to give Heeps, Gilles or Knudsen the guest booking, some track time ahead of the Cheetahs season? But Oxford wouldn't publically admit they had given up on the win.

Bellego was already in their squad, they had 3 senior foreigners for 2 spots in the team.

Is Martin Vaculik still pals with Simon Stead? Could he be tempted to come over, even till the GPs start? As is always in the back of my mind though, get well soon Tai

It's very confusing, because if you read the article, sounds like Ablitt for Muff was a straight swap. But that doesn't fit!

Regarding the RS or weakest reserve not having 3 rides when injured. This isn't a new situation it's happened before, it'll happen again, I think there's been so much said about because Chris Harris has been riding so well. Would we get the same reaction if Kemp replaced Hagon or Vuolas replaced Edwards I think not! Was it not only last year that Dan T was injured & Ipswich used r/r for him meaning they didn't have to use a RS in that match at all? I do feel having 3 rider races because of an injury should be avoided if at all possible.

Actually this stage of the season is when Witches can be complacent, just don't do it in the play-offs lol!

Can only see a big Ipswich win here. Biggest away win so far this season maybe?

I can't see the match score posted on Lynn's FB, I'm curious were they this slow to post the results of their wins over Oxford?

Mind you if they had a true number one, Harris wouldn't be getting 6 or 7 rides a meeting. I guess maybe they won't be strong enough to win when things go against them, but if they can avoid multiple efs should be able to beat anyone bar Ipswich.

I still don't understand how that team finished so low down in the table.

Edinburgh were probably the last team to win the league based on a string top 5 & weak reserves in 2015. So it can be done, but Clegg & Branford were both 3.5 riders (minimum 3.00 aves then) can Glasgow's reserves approach those figures? If they can would put Glasgow as title favourites.

I see William Cairns "only" scored 9+1 (5) at Birmingham today. I guess as he has been so heavily hyped that if he doesn't score a maximum you start to wonder why? Which is a bit harsh for a 15 year old. But when was the last time a 2.00 rider got announced for the following July, you even have many Belle Vue fans saying he'll replace Mulford as RS for the Aces when he's 16. Hopefully he doesn't put too much pressure on himself & maybe ignore fan expectations.