Noelinho

If literally anyone could pronounce his first name that would also be progress...

Yeah, as soon as the tractor starting blading, it was clear there was no chance.

He's riding lower than his minimum average!

You're reading too much into what I'm saying. I'm not sure what made you think I'm saying he's not trying. I'm just saying he should come back because that's what he wants, not because of - or in spite of - the fans. Perhaps the comments betray a slight lack of self-confidence, but you have to learn not to listen too much to fans, because you can go hero to zero and the other way all in one meeting.

Absolutely no signs we are moving up, currently.

I was hearing mid season that we already had an agreement for him coming back next year. We’ll find out in time, I guess.

Not if that's the attitude. We want riders who want to be around. Fans are fickle - produce the goods on the track and of course they'll want you.

We'd love to have him, but I think Poland will put a stop to it.

Yes, it goes to countback, and Gusts had more fourth places.

6 matches for an average. He has an official average, unless they change the rules again.

hmm. I'm not counting KO Cup, but he averaged 8.8 there. You must be counting bonus points?

His 2024 average is 9.25.

CB doesn't seem to rate James, and unfortunately I get the feeling he therefore won't be back next year. James doesn't have a great away average, but that's because he's been forced to race higher up in the team than he should often this year. His home average should put him first in the team sheet for next year, but it's looking like the lessons from this year's team building are being ignored.

Since the thread is already hijacked, his “real” average is 3.67.

I'd pay for that tbh.

If he is in Riga there are flight options, but they involve squeaky bum time either getting to the airport after the SGP, or after landing in the UK.

I think it's points difference, but that's off the top of my head.

Make 6 rider teams and the maths gets easier. Reduces some costs and should mean riders earn a bit more for each appearance. There must come a time when that is a more attractive proposition.

This is speedway, not Cinderella. We're not making the playoffs.

So, Workington then.

Of course all teams want to. But they don't all have the same resources to hand. And I don't read a word of the PR nonsense that gets published!

I'd love us to sign Edwards, but I don't think he'd move. I'm sure Anders will be in the team if other commitments fit.

You'd hope, but what I heard last night made it sound like next year's team won't be any better. They don't seem to understand the problem. The really frustrating thing about it is this is a team that wants to win. They're not here to go through the motions with a mid-table team, but they really need to buck their ideas up.

Quite a few of those away matches were riding at 4, which is tough for him. He's not there yet.

Officially, no. But possibly a week on Sunday.