MP78

Looking at the teams, I genuinely think this is a tough one to call... Leicester's 1-5 looks really solid, but Lynn's reserves could be a trump card... Narrow home win

Should be an entertaining opener... I thought 50 ish with Doyle in the side, but can still Witches edging it with a guest such as Nicholls... If R/R, I'm not so sure

From memory, I think the only team changes were direct swaps with 2 & 4, but I could be wrong...

Ahh… I think it’s about now that I should tell you all that I meant to type Oxford not Leicester… sorry all, my mistake! I do think Kemp will do well this year, but I was in fact referring to Oxford in my original post - sorry again!

I'm inclined to agree with Falcon and Arch too... Howarth and Blodorn have both benefited (and their teams) from dropping into reserve last season, but I think its almost certain that both Sheffield and Belle Vue's number 6s will not move out of that position, which removes the possibility of either team temporarily having overpowered (for want of a better word) reserves to rack up points. In the case of KL and Leicester, they are much more likely to have very strong number 6s for most of the season... So for me, I could quite easily see KL or Leicester making it into the top 4.

Anyone know why Doyle wasn't part of the 1st round of the Australian champs?

Just to chip in on this… my brother gets along to most home meetings and often has no childcare on a Thursday evening so takes his boys with him - he’s not too bothered if they don’t watch the action because he hasn’t shelled out for them. Will he swallow the extra pound each?… probably because it’s still so much cheaper than a sitter… but some fans in a similar position to him might find it is too much of an ask depending on their financial circumstances and then you have potentially ruled out some fans… think the Witches need to tread carefully on this.

I did wonder about that and think you're right - Can only be Janowski's that is different...

Should be good for Wojdylo to start at reserve and paired up with Rowe should see them as the best pair of reserves in the league

5.87 with GB reduction I believe

Would 100% take Jenkins

Yeah, I’ve let the jitters get to me - I’m sure you’re right. Like everyone, just desperate for Emil to be back

I really really hope I'm wrong and probably reading WAY too much into it, but there is a small part of me that is worried they are going to announce this in rider order... If Doyle is number 1, where is Emil? Like I say, hope I'm wrong...

I would absolutely take this team... do you think King can be tempted away by perhaps Birmingham or Oxford? That's the only way this team can become a reality in my opinion

Only a general feeling, but as others have said, I think the idea of the only switch being Brennan for Riss will likely be right. Personally I think King’s form at the end of the season is as good as he will get moving forward and he would likely benefit from a new challenge at Birmingham for example… if that were the case (and I’d be surprised if it was) then I’d go Emil, Doyle, 2 out of ‘Brennan, Jakobsen, Ellis’, then Rew, Wojdylo and either Dan T or Jason Edwards.

100% want Doyle involved with Ipswich next year, preferably as captain - generally scores well everywhere, drops very few points at home and is a great influence on the team... If we let him go, it will for sure bite us in the proverbial.

I’m surprised that no one picked up on Doyle giving him a lift recently… surely on that basis his is Foxhall bound?…

Like others are saying, I have a feeling the 2024 team will end up very similar to the 1-6 that ended the season - I hope I am wrong. Personally, I would love to get Tom Brennan in alongside Emil and Doyle, but to do so would mean saying goodbye to King and I feel like that will only ever happen if he decides he wants to move on (which I'm guessing is doubtful, but he has lifted a trophy now as Ipswich captain, so you never know). The only other drawback of my suggestion above is that you would have to thrust Brennan into the 3rd heat leader role... could he run with that?

I really hope Rew stays at Ipswich - On his current average with a season under his belt, it would be daft to let him go elsewhere - Of course if he wants to move on, then thats a different story...

Generally goes well round Foxhall, but will BV really part with him?

The fact that they’ve persevered with Riss and watched his average tumble suggests that he may be back… like others though I’d take a newcomer on a 5.00 and see what happens

For me it would look something like this… 1. Emil, 2. Wojdylo, 3. Ellis or Jakobsen, 4. Z.Cook, 5. Doyle, 6. Rew, 7 D.Thompson (although I’d try and get Edwards in if poss) Assuming same limit as this year, think that would come in just under 39 with Ellis (if he gets a GB reduction). Jakobsen may be a smidge high. I don’t know anything about Cook’s availability but think he’d be worth trying. Imagine BV would want to get their hands on Rew with his current average so sign him up quick!!

Ipswich's top 3 should comfortably get 30 between them you would hope... That leaves 7 points from the remaining 4 riders to bring it home... barring double falls/exclusions, they are guaranteed a point in heats 2, 8 and 14, which then leaves 4 to find... Please don't blow it!

Totally agree... He's been in a team with Doyle and Emil all season, surely if something was going to 'click' it would've done by now?

Any word yet on the r/s guest for Ipswich and the number 6 for Sheffield? I'm guessing we'll go Joe Thompson again, can't think of any alternatives?