szkocjasid

This is the team I would go with, stronger top end, but still having one strong reserve. Nico Covatti 7.82 Michael P Toft 7.80 Ben Barker 5.87 Joe Thompson 5.63 Alfie Bowtell 5.07 Lasse Fredriksen 4.67 Ben Trigger 3.00 Total 39.86

I don't think Kildemand is a bad signing on a 6.00 average, he could reach that. But I thought he was an awesome signing at first when I was led to believe it was 4.0/4.5. I certainly don't understand why they would drop Harris for Kildemand though. I guess we'll never know if they had other answers that fell through & Kildemand was a back up option (something Harris wouldn't agree to be).

Seems to be Peter Schroeck's attitude to team changes though!

I think Starke would be a great signing if they had 3.5 available, but with over 4 available I'd have stuck with Foord. Apart from sticking with Foord for the future, he could be the better rider this season. If the averages fitted, I would've had them both.

There's a reason for Poole fans to be positive about Starke. Ignore his Glasgow form in the top 5 3.55 (4.45), as he's very unlikely to break into Poole's top 5 & concentrate on his Workington form at reserve 4.43 (5.53). I'd agree it's a stretch to think he'll be a 5-6 rider, but could put a point on his average.

So Poole have got 2.96 remaining, there's no riders between 2 & 2.96. So must be starting nearer a point under the limit, very surprising. Also means they could have kept Foord, despite using the "numbers game" excuse when dropping him.

I think Berwick will be expecting him to reach his average. Even if he doesn't I don't think the teams limit will drop, the league is slightly weaker, so all riders should up their averages.

How about? Nathan Ablitt 8.49 Jason Garrad 8.36 Max Perry 6.89 Mickie Simpson 4.49 Kean Dicken 3.67 Jamie Etherington 3.00 Declan Killeen 3.00 Total 37.90

I'd be surprised if Scunthorpe preferred Garrad to Harrison? With Harrison starting in the top 5, think Development league racing would suit him, giving him extra rides, as he'll likely get less races now no longer at reserve, at least at the start of the season.

I do remember reading an article in the speedway star about a possible comeback, but seems a while since I read that.

Cheers. Surprised not to see Declan Killeen. Doesn't look a strong team, although it's hard to with a 38 point limit.

For the people blocked on the Oxford FB page for having an opinion that differs from Schroeck's could you post the team please?

Totally agree, credit to Edinburgh for actually announcing Palovaara was on a different average to the one he finished with.

Berwick announced him as thier number one, Cook has an 8.42 average, they had 8.68 available. The only logical average I could see him having was 8.5? Someone had previously posted the rules & assessed averages for new / returning riders, but can't remember what topic that was in.

Kildemand signs for Berwick, I'm guessing on an 8.5 average, what would that make his Prem average?

Berwick announced Kildemand as their new number one, Cook is on 8.42 & they had 8.68 available, so I'm guessing he must be on 8.5?

That's not true, if they are say on a 42 point average & the double change drops them down to 41, that's not allowed. I'm not saying Nicholls won't come back, but it's not as simple as some seem to think.

Former Mildenhall riders maybe?

I'd put a lot of money on Poole not finishing as low as 6th.

It was 2015 Monarchs won with Clegg & Branford in the team, both started on 3.00 (minimum that season) & ended on about 3.50. That team was similar to the way Glasgow have built their team, but it's not often clubs win things starting with 2 low averaged reserves.

There would be no problem there imo, once the other clubs have picked the best 2.00 riders, the next best remaining would have the choice of half a season at Poole (putting himself in the shop window) or just riding NDL & hoping to get picked up later!

MB723 is correct, if Killeen, Jenkins, Masters improve their averages as expected, will be tough to fit Nicholls back in. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it's not a foregone conclusion that it will happen.

While that certainly could happen, if the teams average shoots up, there's a chance that Nicholls & Scott for Heeps & Knudsen would no longer fit

Newman has a 5.24 average, so that team wouldn't fit. Nathan Ablitt in place of Newman fits under the limit.

So far Glasgow, Poole & Redcar look like almost certainties for the play-offs, everyone else fighting for 4th spot. But if one of the other clubs has a strong season, could be a big gap between 4th & 5th. Too early to place the rest till teams are completed.