szkocjasid

Cheers, if someone say's Hook should be doing better - fair point, or there's better riders available - could be, but he's not improved or Leibmann's better - strongly disagree.

I would've recommended this to complete the side, but if Ablitt isn't willing to travel to Berwick, can't see him going to Armadale. Connor Bailey would fit, if he wanted to ride again. Sam Hagon or another new 5 point foreigner would fit. Justin Sedgmen 7.92 Paco Castagna 7.11 Kye Thomson 6.53 Victor Palovaara 5.00 Jonatan Grahn 5.00 Nathan Ablitt 4.91 Paul Starke 3.36 Total 39.83

Goodness me, how did I do that lol!

Pearson was very good at Ashfield 7.64 (8.55) but not so much away 3.05 (3.68), I wouldn't consider him a good signing on a 5.51 average, unless it was returning to Glasgow. I certainly wouldn't have chosen him ahead of Fredriksen (still not sure if he wanted to go or didn't have a team spot) who's on a lower average.

I don't think he's "that good" I think he's a 4.2 point rider, which is basically what the club had available for the last spot. If he had improved further, he wouldn't fit in the team. 2022 at Edinburgh 2.78 2023 at Edinburgh & Berwick 3.74 2024 at Plymouth 4.19 How has he not improved? Celina averaged 2.45 this season, why would you prefer her in the team?

I can understand turning down Berwick for another club closer to home (Plymouth) but not turning down Berwick just to compete in the NL/NT. He might get a team mid season, but there's no guarantee.

The best way to think of it, is riders have ONE average, their starting average. Ignore last year's finishing average if it's any different.

Absolutely brilliant top 3, expect King to really up his average if he starts at 3, Riss too. Very good number 4 in Edwards as well, fell he improves every year. Not too convinced by the bottom 3, Mulford seems a slow improver, now he's no longer at reserve, could see his average drop. Delighted for Pijper & Spencer to get Championship places, but they will be amongst the weakest reserves in the league. However, they won't need to score many for Redcar to win matches.

I agree they could have the best 1-5 in the league, but don't see Hodder being one of the better reserves. Maybe he'll improve, but as things stand Glasgow look to have the weakest reserves in the league. Could still do very well with that top 5 though.

Workington certainly have much stronger reserves than last season. I think Hook may have reached his limit, can see a small improvement, but not much. But it's still a great reserve pairing, stronger than Glasgow & Redcar by far. Not sure the team will do as well as last year's, guess a lot depends on wether Vuolas & Zischke improve away, if that happens, look a play-off side. Addition: I think Glasgow, Redcar & Poole look almost certainties for the play-offs, could see everyone else fighting for 4th spot.

Please tell me you're trolling, no-one can be that clueless.

Kerr could keep his average & Rowe end up as second heat leader. I rate him highly, he's only on a 6.1 average as he's mainly carrying his scores from 2023.

Given the league is weaker again, I think this looks a pretty decent team. Has the benefit of the reserves having actual averages above 3, so can expect points all through the team. Tom Spencer 7.22 Ace Pijper 6.44 Danny Phillips 6.33 Jamie Halder 5.08 Stene Pijper 4.82 Ben Rathbone 3.80 Kai Ward 3.58 Total 37.27

You shouldn't need to have to keep up with the rules, when Birmingham announced his signing, should have said what average he was on, same as Oxford with Kildemand. Can't think of any reason why they don't!

Don't want to have a long discussion over the rules on this post, but Cook will start at number 1, 100% certain.

All I read on FB is "we need to sign a top number one" etc

Good point, it should be easier to understand.

In place of who? Would mean having stronger reserves, but Plymouth fans have been calling out for a stronger top end.

A team can only declare ONE rider who has previously (prior to the 2024 season) achieved above a 4.00 Championship average and currently has a below 6.00 Championship average, and is not declared in a Championship or Premiership declaration. That is the ruling, one (4-6 / pre 2024) rider per team. Ablitt didn't have a 4+ average pre 2024, so isn't covered by this rule. Also means if Ablitt later got a Champ spot, wouldn't have to leave the development leagues.

Sam Masters, Richard Lawson & Charles Wright are the only 3 riders, who had a higher away average than Harris, who will be riding in the Champ this season. Even if you believe Harris was poor away last season (I don't) he'll be better this year because more top riders have left the Champ.

Actually Killeen is below 4, so could have ridden before the rule change. I'd like to think Morley could come back in that situation.

Should have given a name to the "Any rider who previously (prior to the 2024 season) had achieved a 4.00 average in the Championship, and currently has a Championship average of below 6.00" rule, maybe call them a "graded rider". That way the next rule would be only ONE graded rider per team, if a graded rider signs for a Champ / Prem team, has to leave in 28 days. Would also save time on the forum being able to say "graded rider" instead of "that rider who previously (prior to the 2024 season) had achieved a 4.00 average in the Championship, and currently has a Championship average of below 6.00"

So few matches these days, unless you're an Oxford fan. I'd assume fixtures may be spread out?

He can, the 4-6 point rider rule is for pre-2024. Anyone who rode this year is eligible for the development league in 25.

They only have 3 guaranteed home Trophy fixtures, hopefully 4. Of course it's not gonna be a full season lol! Unless they run a LOT of challenge matches?