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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.

I have to question the use of Chris Harris in heat 15. If Lynn have decided he's one of their top 2 riders, would it not be better for him to take a ride from the 5th best (Cook) to allow the 3rd best (Kvech) an extra race in heat 15? May not have been easy to plan this week with Boughen's injury, they wouldn't want Harris to go out in heats 12,13&14. I guess Harris could've replaced Cook in 10 & left Cook in 13? But that's still 3 on the trot (10,11,12). When was the interval lol!

Naturally my first thoughts are for Tai Woffinden to make a full recovery. While it seems the wrong time to think about replacements the truth is Sheffield will have to do that, they are probably privately thinking about their options. They cannot ride with only 6 riders (unless they use r/r) and cannot delay the start of the season until Tai is in better shape. I'm 99% sure Sheffield will get a 28 day facility. They'll really need to make a change before 1st May as Rowe's rolling ave will then lose it's 25% reduction & the team will be over the limit. Like others I assume a double change, two second strings replacing Tai & Hume may be most likely. Very unfortunate for Danyon, but if he can score well, can put himself in the shop window in case other teams make changes later in the season. Sometimes as fans we are so used to riders making miraculous comebacks from injuries it takes it out of you when they appear more serious. Get well soon Tai.

Why would anyone post a video of the crash, makes me feel sick even thinking about it. If people are really that desperate to see it, could they not wait for official news of Tai's injury before posting?

Really should be a Lynn win. Think Belle Vue's bottom end will struggle against Lynn's strength in depth.

The top part of the Tigers team looks very strong. Only concern should be the reserves, but they may not have to score much for the team to be successful.

Ben Morley (8.32) Kent Vinnie Foord (6.29) Kent Sonny Springer (5.60) Lion Cubs Jacob Clouting (5.04) Oxford Darryl Ritchings (5.01) Oxford Mickie Simpson (4.49) Steelers Cooper Rushen (3.00) King's Lynn Total 37.75

I would normally suggest it's far too early to be thinking about changes, although Oxford dropped Klindt after only 3 matches last season. Mind you, that was to get Riss into the team, who seems to be Schroeck's golden boy. Normally you'd drop a lower averaged rider to strengthen up, but Gusts has started well & there's no chance Schroeck would drop Riss. Who would be willing to come over that would be a stronger rider than one of the top 4.

Comment from Gusts on the match report “There were reasons why we lost today, such as Peter Kildemand being injured. We will learn from it as a team and do better next time.” IRR scored 3,0,2. I don't think they can blame Kildemand's injury for the loss. I honestly think Schroeck & the promoters believe they have a decent team. So it may take a while for them to understand why they lost home & away?

I've never understood this, when promoters, riders or team managers belittle any competition that isn't the league, sometimes they'll even suggest the league isn't that important until you get to the play-offs. Even if they believe that, do they not realise how these comments could affect the crowd? As a fan, I'd want my team to win every competition. Certainly put in the same effort each time, after all fans aren't given a discount because it's "only" the KOC or a challenge match etc & I'm sure riders won't get paid less.

Firstly I think it's too early to think of changes, but they may eventually look to replace Hagon. It doesn't seem like Leicester is his best track, thought he may be better off at Belle Vue, but given Leicester "protected" him as their rising star, they must rate him, it wasn't like he was the best of what was left? As for Joe T he's a better rider now than he was when dropped last year, so I'd consider him if Hagon doesn't up his scores after a month or two. If Nathan Ablitt had a Champ team he's be an option, but racing in the third tier only, wouldn't be so keen on using him in the Prem.

Not just Brummies fans, quite a few predicted a poor season for Leicester. But I will agree some Birmingham fans clearly overestimated their team too.

I don't like the play-offs & think whoever tops the table should be Champions. However as they all know the rules before the season starts I don't feel bad if the table toppers fail in the play-offs, even if it's injuries that cause that. The only way I would feel for them, would be if they voted against the play-offs but the majority voted for them.

I see no chance for Oxford progressing, Lynn could even win on the night. I suppose Oxford's best chance would be if you remove the points scored by Lynn's top scorer lol!

Not just a defeat though, if it was a 2 or 4 point loss, Brummies fabs could still be positive for the rest of the season, but a 20+ home defeat should never be happening.

Certainly something for the team manager to consider when having such a potent reserve. Maybe give Harris an extra ride early in the meeting, so if he's having 6 or 7 riders they are spread out? Although if you replace a second string after one poor ride, then they win their last two, looks a poor decision! I guess in the situation above, could've put Boughen in for Cook, waited 2 minutes, then Harris in after Boughen is excluded. A couple minutes rest for Harris.

At times last year Harris dropped to 4th (second string) in the averages, but pretty much remained at number 5 all year, riding in heat 13 will lower your average. This year Lynn have 5 riders "stronger" than Harris, Belle Vue 4, Birmingham 3, Ipswich 4, Leicester 4, Oxford 3 & Sheffield 4. So it could be fair to say Lynn have a "second string" riding at reserve, rather than a heat leader.

I have to admit if I was a Brummies fan of have preferred more of an apology / statement to get things right, than the excuses I read about.

If Harris is flying need to keep an eye on all the top 5, for example Harris was stronger than both Klindt & Boughen on Monday, but one of them had to have their 4th ride in heat 12. Although it would be easy to look at the programme & suggest Harris could have replaced Klindt in heat 9, Klindt was going well at that point.

While what he's saying is technically true, it's also pointless (they could have won if they didn't have Harris), is he maybe trying to ease fans fears of their weak team / disappointing performance or is he to put this politely incredibly clueless?

Because Belle Vue were the best team in the play-offs, weren't the strongest team throughout the season, but they didn't have to be. They're probably not gonna be the strongest team this year either, but regardless of injuries, if they win the play-offs then they'd be deserving Champions.

By that logic Zmarzlik shouldn't celebrate winning the world title because he didn't beat Laguta or Sayfutdinov, or we could question why Bewley celebrated so much when he won at Cardiff, when he didn't defeat the best 15 riders in the world!

I always rated this Witches side as favourites & it looked as if only injuries could cost them the league. But now I feel I've underestimated them, maybe only injuries will stop them winning every match?

I do agree, but if I were a long suffering Stars fan, I'd be delighted we don't look like the weakest team for a change. Ridiculously early days, but looks like 5 teams fighting for the top 4 spots

Don't worry there's still time for them to weaken if they get too close to the play-offs lol! As crazy as that sounds, that's what they did (multiple times) last season.