Sings4Speedway

Hopwood is yet to land a NL place and very limited options left for him, may be an issue if signed as would be more race rusty than other reserves.

The problem with the final signing is there is a huge difference between should be, could be and most likely will be. To maximise the points usage Theo Pijper, to maximise crowd support James Shanes but i suspect asset base building will continue being the driving force so Michael Hartel, Jonas Jeppesen or similar new assessed rider will take the final place.

More a wall of silence

However Jenkins is a good signing for Kent and there is still room for improvement on that average plus he rides the track well. The next two will determine whether the Kings will be serious contenders or a serious missed opportunity.

Problem is where can you find a 9+ number one who hasn't achieved 4+ in the 2nd tier? The plan has / was always to start with Ledwith at reserve alongside Gilkes, unless the team can be built so that one or other is there all season the potency will be lost.

Well thats a clever way to sneak the Dugard signing in. Hume is a huge capture and gives yet another top notch top two. In Dugard you have a rider heading straight to reserve when he can be bothered to turn up.

Just be grateful the initial post didn't say anchorite monk.....

fortunately not otherwise i would be (more) skint. I stick to "playing" Speedway promoter/manager/armchair "expert"

Blimey want to really make sure the Warriors finish off the bottom...my gambling is worse than my predictions. Should IOW not finish bottom of the league 2019 season i will pay for 1 my first skid session for the child of your choice and hopefully play my part in creating a Warrior of the future who will keep the side off the bottom.

Fingers crossed my terrible predictions continue and actually hoping im wrong once again but personally can't see any team keeping the Warriors off the bottom at the moment.

There is no arguing that geographically IOW is a hard place to build competitive teams and Buxton, Plymouth etc have found similar issues in the past however there will always be riders who are dedicated enough to make the long journeys to race for good clubs like Shaun Tedham did last year rather than those who feel they are entitled to places like Tyler Govier or Matt Saul (#wheres_Sauly). The fact that the major ethos is sustainability is the correct move for the club and the league as a whole. I hope the Warriors have a successful year on track as i know also that even teams help strong crowds and likewise create good entertainment on the night which is another Island ethos.

Looking at the likely number 4 riders this year & the proposed Eastbourne side Morley is certainly the closest to it in terms of consistent standard and it is ultimately the next step for him in his career as he looks to hold his own outside the reserve / number 2 berths. Lets not forget its not the riders fault that they are being pressed into riding in positions perhaps slightly above their current level (same as Bowtell at 2) its the way the side has been built and with 2 x 9+ riders included there will always be a long tail who perhaps gets a slating they don't deserve.

My personal highlight this week was when he was crying about the riders who have got Championship places and he hasn't.......because you are a non improving selfish chump with an ego far greater than your ability.

Thats disappointing for the warriors hopes. Needed an experienced reserve alongside Wirtzfeld to offer something. The belief that all teams are building with 2 rookies at reserve is false and added that he finished with a 6.22 average in the easier MDL this year is hardly inspiring. By comparison Ben Rathbone completed a similar number of meetings and finished on 10.75. Others like Sam Wooley, Luke Whitehead, Tom Spencer all bettered Kings average along with the Islands Wizards Jamie Sealey & Chris Watts. Whilst the loyalty to riders may ultimately be the undoing of the Warriors i fear this will join the long list of poor IOW reserves signed over the past few seasons.

Yup plenty of harmony, clever piece of team bonding, take 6 riders and unite them with a common theme (they all hate Cook)

Yes although i don't remember him ever guesting on the Island (but he may have). Nice rider but stood still the last couple of years and distance always seems to be an issue? Embleton guested a fair few times too and would be a better choice despite the mammoth distances.

Have to admit i hadn't considered the school factor with Ablitt. Whilst O'Keefe has the determination and has bike will travel attitude he has a few cracks at various teams now and made little or no impact (except laying on the track) and not sure IOW would be any different. That said i could say that about nearly all of the out of work reserves from last year but am fearful it won't be the signing the Warriors need. I did hear that Rikki Mullins was building bikes up again......

Think thats very harsh and un-true. Morley at home may look high considering his performances will be similar to Wood & Brennan who are available combined for the same average but away he will be far more experienced and is developing on the bigger tracks. Add in that he actually achieved that average in a tougher Championship last year showing he has been there done it. Perceived signing wise Kennett looks the worst signing average wise but i wouldn't say he will be a bad signing.

Im with you on that 100%. Why cannot promotions see that by throwing money at riders it is killing the sport as a whole and making their own jobs so much harder in the long run. If they stood united, set out the money paid and that was it riders would have a choice sign or not but there would be plenty waiting to take their place. There might be a lull in standard for a couple of years, there would almost certainly be riders confused about how to maintain a bike rather than just buy new constantly but in 10 years time there would still be a NL. By crushing the less financially powerful clubs promotions are crushing themselves as with no teams the league has no value.

Think Eastbourne have got the balance pretty much right with the predicted side and shows the coffers are a little healthier than Brums. Keeping a core from the Nl side to appease the current fan base whilst adding some big hitters who are well know in the sport and have Eastbourne connections is clever. Add in a good race night and i think the home crows will grow (but by enough who knows?). With Kents issues in switching race day providing the opposition looks like it will put up a decent contest i suspect there will be a fair few fans travelling from the neighbouring county , myself included.

I don't think there is a supporter of the NL that wouldn't love to see IOW win it. However with 2.22 left it really begs the question who the final rider will be? You feel it has to be an ace card like Ablitt? otherwise why would the Warriors allow Bursill to get signed up elsewhere.

On paper you should be over the moon. Im just disappointing that midweek racing is too far without time off so will have to pick and choose a couple of meetings (dependant on opposition) as the team looks both brilliantly entertaining and hugely dominant around the showground.

Now the promotion are making a sensible signing. Whilst its not the most spectacular side in the world (nor was it going to be with the re-build/move up etc) signing riders that the fans have an affinity too will appease some of the results if (when) they don't go Brums way. Still think no Hume is a travesty but if Shanes/Davey is the final rider there is some hope for the fans to keep coming each week.

I don't think Dean has an issue with riders getting contributions based upon points scored but no riders in the NL should be looking at turning a profit or realistically even breaking even. It should be viewed as a subsidised hobby and rewarded as such. Ride in it, enjoy it, if you get good it costs you a bit less, if you get very good you can step up to the pro leagues where you might turn a profit. Promoters aren't helping the cause either. Persistent calls that the costs are out of control, well get together and actually act upon it, set a sensible points value and stick to it, lure riders with the way you will treat and handle them at the club, the geographical location of the club, the atmosphere of the fans rather than just the non stop increasing of points money.

Very strong top 2 although this is how the majority of teams have built this year. Certainly potential for Verge or RTD to step up and be 3rd heat leader but both will need to if the Warriors are going to have a great deal of success with some question marks elsewhere in the team.