Islander15

Exactly. Unfortunately that’s happened too often in recent years so it wouldn’t surprise me if it happened again. Just look at the asset fiasco.

Unfortunately both Plymouth & Isle of Wight have ran articles in the speedway star lately saying that a devalued NL isn’t viable and they may have to look at stepping up a tier. Obviously the costs of that can be as detrimental as running with many ‘wobblers’ in the team.

Your first paragraph is true but the current situation is flawed too.

At least Eastbourne & Mildenhall are probably the best two teams in the league and deserve finals. Other than the randomness of Lakeside & Peterborough as you’ve said just pushing back meetings and then ending up cramming them all back to back.

Powell at reserve makes Eastbourne look even stronger. Whereas Halder dropping to reserve makes Coventry look a little weaker.

Totally agree that everybody should start on a 3.00 but move up the team quicker. The problem with making a small number of meetings get a new average is somebody good can have a bad couple of meeting and drop to reserve when that is not their ability. So I suggest using 4 meetings in all competitions to get a new average for assessed riders and 8 new meetings in all competitions for everyone else! That will also stop clubs using unattached 3.00 superstars in the POs, NLKOC & NT.

I thought Birmingham had a decent shot with the original team, but now I can’t see it. Unfortunate that they’ve had such numerous injuries when it’s always looked a decent team.

I didn’t realise the Thompson twins were due next year.

Going on opinions like that is what makes many dodgy decisions in this sport. Kinsley has scored impressively to essentially earn his place.

Whoever has Gilkes at reserve have an excellent prospect. Plus I can’t see there being several newbies on his ability to spread around, unlike this year in Kemp, Flint & Edwards.

Brennan is 3rd in the Eastbourne averages. A better question is why is Perry in over Smith?

It’s usually another Southern team that does that

When they changed the date at only a couple of weeks notice it ruled me out and I assume many others too. The date has been there on the calendar allowing us to plan our lives but then all of a sudden it changes!

Morally out of order? Yes Within speedways rules? Also yes

‘Any other reason’ in the NL. If someone wants Gilkes, and he agrees, they’ll get away with it.

With the rain at Buxton today, barring any freak results, that's Eastbourne & Kent in the POs with all Coventry needing to do is hope their home doule header tomorrow night beats the weather and then they'll beat Buxton.

Probably true, but Coventry have had a decent sniff for a couple of weeks now.

Only by running a double header which their shouldn’t be a need to do.

This date hasn’t just been plucked out of thin air though, so why such a late arrangement?!

A few more former Brummies in the Birmingham team would’ve enticed fans wouldn’t it?

He won’t even be number 1, so R/R it is and that’s Kent’s hopes over.

Most on here will also be happy be happy that the best ‘team’ won.

A bit disappointing to not see the full Mildenhall team take on the next best ‘team’ in the division. But whether it’s a farce or not, the riders won’t see it that way and with the ones on show there should be some decent and close racing!

How can you have a guest for Kemp when he’s the only guy missing and not doubling-up?! Clegg for Ayres & Bailey R/R.

Having the NT later or not at all would just mean NL fixtures are more spread out or crammed in now. It happens before. Some teams are incapable of properly planning fixtures and it’s the same ones every year, but nothing is ever done about it unfortunately.