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i think given how well lawson goes at ipswich its a good signing. agree though the last 3 places are gonna be make or break! by my calculations we have 20.31 left for final three riders so really depends who's available and affordable!! could be 3 6pt somethings or a number 1 a 6 and another 3/4pt rider

That would make 5 maybe 6 riders good at Foxhall as I’m sure Allen will be decent at home - problem is tungate has never liked Foxhall being his home track and will be the highest average! Would like to be able to prise Erik Riss from Lynn but can’t see it!

Speaking to Chris on Saturday when I got my season ticket, likely now next announcements will be in the new year. in fairness don’t think he ever said we’d for certain know the team by Christmas, but said he hoped to be be able to announce the team by Christmas, that hasn’t been the case, which is just as disappointing for him as the fans!

Don’t have a problem with other people’s views, just find all the negativity pointed towards the witches potential team next season frustrating when we’ve only now named 2 riders, one of whom has been one of our most loyal servants and is rarely beaten at Foxhall and another who has been named on the wishlists of fans on every page of the forum! I, like many fans am apprenhensive for what the new season brings, but also optimistic Chris is putting together the most competitive team he can - I find it difficult when only 2 riders have been announced and many other teams are yet to be completed, the witches side can be described as cannon fodder. not looking for war mate just think it’s a harsh judgement on 5 unnamed riders that you don’t know the identity of as yet

Could argue there’s a question mark next to at least 6 out of 7 in BV team. Hope the question marks go in your favour.....might end up cannon fodder otherwise. Just offering an opinion.

Don’t worry we’ll have 7 riders like everyone come the start of the season, I appreciate currently 2 riders against 7 looks very difficult for us, thanks for your concern

Good start, no surprises in Danny and let’s face it he doesn’t get beaten too much at Foxhall by many of the top boys in second league so should still bang points in from the middle order. jake Allen as others have said was on most people’s wishlist - an early candidate for most improved rider, took a step forward last year and only looks like his trajectory will continue upwards

I’m sure Chris said he didn’t want to start announcing riders until whole team was in place, perhaps they’ll all be announced over the course of the week leading up to Saturday when season tickets on sale at the stadium. cautiously optimistic, hope he kicks it off with some new faces

Not sure he’s ever ridden at foxhall

In theory it’s to aid young Brits get more opportunities at reserve in the top flight to enable them to progress rather than be snubbed for second foreigners on low averages - I’d much rather see the likes of Ashley Morris, Nathan greaves etc. Getting these opportunities over the likes of berge for example

Best guess/hoping for in terms of the exciting and competitive team Chris is working on 8.00 mystery European rider 5.67 second mystery European rider 6.36 king 6.55 lawson 6.64 nicholls 4.72 heeps 4.56 allen 42.5 exact!

the one where you wait til he takes his helmet off and then go over and sucker punch him in the face while you’ve still got your helmet on!

Is he even still riding!? i’m hopeful Chris’s “European trip” is looking forward not back

Smolinski last rode here in 2013 I believe achieving an average of 7.56 for Birmingham, don’t think he’s ridden here since!? Incidentally a higher figure than Doyle achieved that season! Im not sure there’s value on that figure!? haertel on 4.00 at reserve worth another go imo if it doesn’t work out he’d soon be replaced by kemp

No no rye house has been removed from last so doesn’t count! 2019 still an “on” year in the UK

Would KK come on his average from 2017 of 6.86 with the 2018 rye house figures removed? If so he’s a dangerous rider on that figure - the only question mark, whatcha has always been the question mark with him riding in the uk is his commitment to riding here, if he’s committed he’s still a top level rider and could easily ramp that average up, was up to 8.04 when rye house folded

My biggest hope for the 2019 team, is whoever’s in,they’re all able to stay relatively healthy throughout the season, I appreciate injuries are always liable to occur but it’d be really nice if we had a season where were not completely decimated by injuries!!

Thorsell to wolves and Piotr pawlicki to the witches!? ultimately yes it’s getter harder and harder to envisage a super exciting team and the strength in depth approach is looking more likely but I truly believe Chris is doing everything to put together a competitive team, let’s try to avoid getting to negetive about it all until we see our completed 1-7 take to track in the new year! Year on year teams suggested on paper as wooden spoon candidates do the reverse and end up at the sharp end! Theres always scope for mid season manoeuvres and let’s face the minute drew kemp becomes eligible for the top flight he’s likely to be brought in - unless everyone is flying!! all I hope for a is a team that’s entertaining to watch week in week out at Foxhall, any team that can make their home track a fortress will be a long way towards success!

Can’t see it happening, so many riders on way lower averages that ride Foxhall better, got to be strong at home - if we can’t get a top rider for no.1 better off packing the team and being strong throughout than signing a rider on higher average that’s not that good around your home track! He left as a disappointing inconsistent no.5 in championship so can’t see him being our no.1 in prem! It’s is silly season after all tho so we’ll see I suppose!

Does that fit!? Surely Garcia will have to come in on a 4.00 being foreign?

Couldn’t agree more

I don’t doubt the potential Heeps has, he shown his ability at times but always seems to then take a step back - admittedly a couple times he’s been injured when flying and that’s never ideal for progress. surely there’s only so many off seasons we can say he finished better, if he can come back better prepared this time it’ll be good - he’s been coming for 8 years now.....

Maybe Nicki pedersen fancies the uk now he’s not in the GP and that’s who CL is meeting!? Dont think cam is good value even at reserve on his average, could have so many others for less!! Ben Barker, Aaron summers, Jake Allen to name a few. agree Gavan we need a top end competitor for the business end of meetings.

Can’t see Fred jakobsen not being back at Poole surely? He’s got bags of potential, why on earth bring him over last season and then bin him off!!??

I really don’t see the fascination with berge and seemingly everyone in agreement he’s a steal on his average!? Always been super inconsistent not much value in winning one race by half a lap and coming last in next two! and to be honest he’s been absolute toilet as a visiting rider at Foxhall over the last few years