leander

How do you know he wasn't approached. i would suspect he hopes to be poland bound.

We are away to Sheffield in the 1st official fixture on thursday 5 April, so we would need to declare by 19:00 ish monday 2 april (72 hours), which happens to be easter monday, so maybe even earlier.

That was before the Ben Meeting was called off. Maybe, just maybe, Final details with the rider(s) involved were due to be finalised (i.e. contract signing) at Peterborough this weekend. Not neccesarily a rider IN the meeting. Just a convenient meeting point. With it being called off circumstances have changed and the meeting up is yet to take place. Newcastle have never been in the habit of announcing riders before all the i's have been dotted and the t's crossed.

Lewis signed a polish contract way before xmas. In the same squad as Hancock.

Problem is he shows up well in practice, so they include him in 1st meeting and he's scores 8/ 9 so he's in again the next week, and the week after,. And it would only be a NL 2.00 guest if he missed any Diamond meeting

I seem to remember Kenni has retired. Due to the fact that he was advised not ride again after his shooting accident.

Good question. I, for one, don't know the answer, but he's signed for Tarnow this year, which happens to be one of those sunday polish teams.

Rose rumoured to be on his way to Peterborough. He has a Sunday polish contract.

But it's a rule that hasn't really done the job it was designed to do. It's only stopped two riders (out of how many?) from doubling up/down. Whilst I don't disagree with the principle, it would have been much more fairer to all, and more effective, if they'd said that if you have a Championship average over 6, then you can ride in EITHER the championship OR the Premiership, but not both.

That depends on what criteria you use. Granted his GREENSHEET average has never reached 8.00, but with bonus points last season it did. People say he doesn't team ride but he scored 29 bonus points last year, beaten only in diamonds colours by Ash (33). His away average was only 0.2 less than Robbo's, and his comparable with nearly all 7-8 pointers. He had a higher away average than anyone from Berwick (for example) except Morris. He is what he is. A solid no. 3/4. There are very few (if any) riders scoring 7-9 points regularly away from home who aren't genuine no. 1's (even if some are 2nd heat leaders. People say he shouldn't be captain yet I haven't heard any rider (team member or guest) say team spirit in the pits isn't great.

It's a Sunday in the middle of the summer. I'd be very surprised if the Cart Track isn't open as well.

Transport links are as bad as Peterborough. I know. I've tried.

True. But the car park is now less than half the size it was originally.

Vatcher keeps them in the boot of his car.

Obviously.

It just depends how the rest add up really. Think Clegg would be ok after a few weeks. Last year 15+1 from 6 then later on 1+1 from 4. ??? No idea who the other rider you've heard is so can't comment.

I don't know. But there doesn't appear to be many out and out no. 1's left. Personally I wouldn't want Kennett, not sure Nichols would want to commute from Brighton every week (even if the rule changes). So possibly room for a strong bottom end. Morris and Clegg anyone?

Well the way our team appears to be shaping up, I would think both our reserves will be well above Alfie's 2.03 average this year.

Plenty of time for Vatcher to stick his oar into this debate as well. You have to wonder tho. Nowhere near as many fixtures as last Year. Fixed race nights. A management meeting to avoid clashes, and yet 2nd week of the season and someone will have to use a guest because of doubling up/down.

Neil Vatcher has form on this kind of thing. He is a law unto himself. You should be grateful you've got two months to sort something out. Last year it was agreed in JANUARY that as Belle Vue hadn't declared to be running at the time Steve Worrall signed for Newcastle, then the diamonds would have priority over his services. Roll on FOUR months to May and less than 48hrs before Newcastle are due to visit Edinburgh, HE decides that Belle Vue have priority. What's more... He didn't even have the decency to tell Newcastle that this was the case.

It's possible that agreements with riders have been made but signed contracts not yet returned. Newcastle tend not to announce riders until signed agreements are in place (unlike some other clubs).

I never said he would. I said IF the rest total 40+ he'd be a good bet. Probably irrelevant now anyway he's signed for Coventry and I'm sure I've read somewhere that they are racing Sundays.

Yes, but apart from Bowtell, none of them come in on a 2.00.

I would think if our top six total 40/40.5ish then there is a good chance he'll be back. Before he got injured he had more than doubled his average and actually averaged more than Jacobs, Berge, Davey, Perry, Smith, Hopwood, Bowtell, Bacon, and quite a few more. A rider coming back from injury is always a bit of a risk, but on a 2.00 worth taking if it means your top six are around 40ish.

I'd be very surprised if we get Nicholls, especially now he's moved to Brighton to live. Plus Peterborough are interested as well along with Kennet AND can still fit them both in.