Jaizer

Fraser Bowes 3rd in mildura masters, beating Josh Pickering. Seems to be making good progress this winter, love to see him in the stripes at some point

Yeah brocs another one, 2021 was his first full season without the Safety net of reserve berth and more or less maintained his average. He was frustratingly inconsistent, only have to look at his 2 meetings at armadale in October to see that, but should be aiming for that 3rd heat leader role with Tom and basso

Very true, but I'm sitting in the middle of a snowstorm trying to envisage warmer more enjoyable times ha. And it's just a bit of fun

So now we've pretty much got all the teams announced and working off the assumed Poole team and the difficulty envisaged for Birmingham to get top riders in I thought I'd have a go at a league prediction. It's nothing personal against any clubs it's just an opinion, don't shoot me down if don't agree just simply respond with yours. 1. Oxford 2. Poole 3. Glasgow 4. Berwick (assuming get strong 7th rider) 5. Leicester 6. Edinburgh 7. Plymouth 8. Redcar 9. Scunthorpe 10. Newcastle 11. Birmingham On paper really like Oxfords team, although having no home track advantage first couple months of season may impact league position.

Couldn't agree more, for first time under the facenna ownership we have 4 riders in the team with potential instead of the potential to be the rider they used to be. 4 guys under 23 and Hume starting to reach his potential after years of gettin left on the scrapheap. Sure be ups and downs along the way but the entertainment value should be right up there

Wouldn't disagree with you there, I think if ulle can come back and average anything over 7 be happy with that given the potential elsewhere. I think the big hope would be that Tom can step up to genuine heat leader in 2022. Had more of a steady season as first out of reserve berth but still increased average slightly, and now dialled into the track sky's the limit for him... Hopefully

Like you say it's mostly if have couple of assessed riders in the side. We had it with Josh G in Mitch Davey, put Mitch in main body and Josh at reserve on basis he was probably the stronger. Certainly panned out that way, although Mitchell was severely hampered by injuries, never got a proper crack at it

Looks a cracking team that. One to beat IMO. 2 top heat leaders, strength n depth, heeps and Newman potentially on a snip of average if can find old form and potential in ruml and Thomas. Macdonald never impressed me that much but 3rd season now has to be improvement there.

With the Kent connection already at Oxford I'd take a stab mulford going there?

For what it's worth as Glasgow fan whose watched great successes and dire failure I have tbh and say the most enjoyable days and exciting racing was probably during the dire failure. In the magical years of the double double 93/94, whilst being successful was great the racing at shawfield was pretty average at best. Most teams were beaten before they showed and cricket scores were the norm. Bowes and Lyons were always good to watch but most meetings were over by heat 8. Similar in 2011 most home matches were a walkover with the off bit of entertainment from screeny, Josh G and some erratic riding by nick Morris. However, the years in-between were probably the best racing I'd seen, watching Les Collins, Mick Powell, Jimmy greives, Shane Parker and George stancl was a pleasure and some of the moves by messrs Parker and Collins had to be seen to be believed. And although never finished much in the top half giving the so-called fancied teams a bloody nose in a last heat decider was as good a feeling as you can get. Now there were a few spankings along the way, Swindon scoring 60 springs to mind, but we were still back the next week for more. Hopefully Birmingham fans can have that feeling this season even if it's not to be a successful season in terms of trophies

Yeah the likes of Atkin, Armstrong etc been good for young guys in past. I've said before I think should be a joint venture the NDL side but can't see our promotions ever going for that. He did a sterling job for you at Newcastle as I remember, could repay him for that

2.21 according to bspl site from his Newcastle spell

My question would be are Phillips, Woolley or Lawson ever going to ride champ again? 3 guys who are in late 20s/ 30s n never gone beyond that level. Obviously need these guys in the league but 3 in a team is hardly developing riders for the team IMO. Plus when greaves retired none of aforementioned were given a job instead brought Edwards up from the south coast. No doubt improvement in Millars in particular was huge over the season but I thought we were past not signing him cause he rides for Glasgow now?

Stronger than start of last season imo. Brennan step up from wells, Hume got more improvement than sedgeman and basso at worst on a level with Sam, although on Danish form would be better. Need to get Connor more meetings, NL or premiership to keep him active and should improve a fair bit too. Don't think it's a rye house with woofy on a 3, or king's Lynn with batch at reserve level of team, but should be there or thereabouts

Yeah if Berwick could get Jorgensen to change his mind I'd fancy you big time to win the league, if have to settle for a Gap or similar signing then maybe play offs at best. Happy with the Glasgow side but wouldn't say it's strongest team I've ever seen and as always be down to luck and injuries

Remember palovaara's Glasgow racesuit obviously wasn't washed professionally, second half of the season was announced as the pink panther

I'm not sure but I thought top 4 in state U21 final qualified nowadays. But as said earlier I wouldn't swear on it

I think what might be a slight issue that had served you well in the past is that riders can't go below their assessed averaged as I understand. Where in past could've replaced Paco for example come may with a 7 pointer at same time as new guys picking up. But like you say it's exciting to see new guys and lasse was fast enough at ashfield albeit on borrowed machinery

Brown and Pearson and maybe even Gilmore on scores look better prospects but they might be fixed up in Poland as Bowes and rew were in 2021 and hook was one willing to come? Hard to tell level given sedgeman won Victoria title pre Christmas but give the lad a chance before writing him off

Sarj usually starts season well so will allow hook to find his feet. Team you'd imagine get better as season goes and depend how quickly adapt to the track which I assume be alien to both initially

Yeah you need kye or Paco to become genuine heat leaders. Am I right thinking Fredrickson comes in on 5 so sarj start at reserve? Tbh I'm same as you, I like to see new riders progressing in the sport. Lasse was very much on pace at the gp qualifier, might need to work on his gating. Know nothing about the Aussie but excited to see him

Bjerre or Fredricksen? Lol

U21 counted I thought. Might be wrong though

4 if no professional league experience I'm sure. Finishing 2nd in state title should get him required visa as well I think

Very rarely Edinburgh don't put together a challenging side, expect nothing else for 2022. Interested to see how solved the 3rd heat leader issue or gone strength and depth with strong top 2