InTheDeepStuff

Pickering had a good month in 2024 and that was it rest of year rode to his average of 6, he needs two point a meeting on that at least. Woffinden the main worry, if he’s not 100% come March/April we are basically carrying him, OK he might be 10/20 people through the gates but that’s not points to a team total.

Musielak and Zagar 100% at Birmingham in 2025, alongside Rew. Schlein on his way to Oxford riding at 2/4

Harris will only be at 6 until the first set of new green sheets are announced, no way that Klindt, Kvech or Iversen will pose as much as threat at number 6 as Harris does

Still believe having 3 reserves in Rowe, Gilkes and Flint will bite us in the arse, sometimes at home but especially away. If top four don’t get 40+ points each meeting then can see more defeats than wins making top 4 a big challenge

The Leicester 1-5 will be what just about everyone in here has said (Fricke, Howarth, Masters, Becker & Douglas) with RS position sorted as well. I believe that they have a few irons in the fire re the number 6 position, at least one ex Lion who hasn’t been on these shores for a few seasons is the preferred option for Dickson but might have to default back to likes of Cook if that deal goes belly up

1 Musielak 2 Lampart 3 Worrall 4 Rew 5 Zagar 6 Sedgmen 7 Edwards

Testimonials used to be 10 years at one club (or more if contracts bought out by BSPA like Kyle Howarth’s), prior to 2024 Woffinden has not done a full season in UK since 2014, just a few meetings here and there at end of season when it’s suited him to earn a few extra quid, it of a joke this one really

2025 Aces will be same that ended the 2024 season, well the surnames will anyway, Zach for Ben the only change for Belle Vue.

Be interesting to see if Ben Cook can take that next step as a Star in 2025, there’ll be more pressure on him in that side than there was at BV in 2024

Harris is at Kings Lynn, end of. The Sheffield 7 for 2025 is as stated numerous times earlier in this thread. Top heavy 4 and 3 reserves basically

Not seen anything about this Phil, but will defo result in plans B or C being used. Everyman and his dog knows the Plan A 7 (Holder, Woffinden, Holder, Pickering, Rowe, Gilkes & Flint), plan B they would need to get another 8 point rider from GP or another 8+ who has ridden here before (both easier said than done), You’d think plan C would be remove Gilkes, drop Rowe to number 6 and go for a more solid looking top order leaving a few points to play with come transfer window time that can’t include Howarth as he’s at Leicester, or Harris as he’s signed STARing elsewhere. Either way riders will know they are stuck so Bates’ cheque book will need dusting off

Pretty sure that Rowe is owned by the BSPL as would have been a Swindon asset before their license put on ice, if that’s the case King’s Lynn have no first choice or anything with him for 2025 with him no longer a RS, so more likely a case of he’ll go where he wants to ride/offers him best contract. He’d make a good number 6 somewhere, just think he’ll struggle at number 2 where he’s expected to be in Sheffield line up

Kyle Howarth will be nailed on at Leicester, got him in a steal of an average

Hearing Wozniak on his way back to Leicester, assuming he will he come back on his 5.91 from end of 2016?

Hope that you guys at Leicester look after Kyle in 2025, would like him back at Owlerton in 2026 👊🤞

Cairns nailed on for Poole and RS spot at Belle Vue when he turns 16 in June and been told that by one promoter and a few riders so not like it’s uncommon news now, riders are well aware that their jobs are never save aka ‘numbers game’ but the added complexity of having a line in the sand when the change is going to happen might mean those expected to leave the clubs as the sacrifice lamb might have out performed someone who was supposedly not under threat, suppose we’ll all see at the end of June who is making way for Master Cairns

I was taking the Worrall stance 😂

Biggest risk in the side if it’s what everyone believes it to be is Woffinden. In a very big average and coming back from an injury where even now 4 months after he’s still only got 10% ability to fully straighten his arm. March/April season start usually wet, sometimes deep tracks can easily see him dropping at least a point from his average

And a weight under 55kg 🫣

It’s not been in effect this season, example being Bewley riding in Poland, Sweden and UK

Top 4 need to get 40+ points each week be it home or away to have any chance, so weak at 2 and 6, basically riding with 3 reserves 🙈😳

I think Sheffield might go for Edwards as had the higher average between him and Gilkes riding at number 6 last season and both eligible

Bottom end of team imagine wanting to get top 5 in place and then fill the gap with what’ points are left, one of them already had an offer for this year which is better money than at Sheffield so let’s see what happens there, loyalty or money, if I was a rider know which I’d choose 😉

Wonder if Bates’ and Strad will contact all of their 2024 team to let them know where they stand for 2025. Heard that more than one of them had zero contact since the play off semi final loss. That’s not great man management really, even a quick call to say still in team building mode well let you know by ‘x’ date or free to find somewhere else, these guys are self employed in effect and not like there’s loads of places available due to numbers game. Anyway off to plait somemore Shirecliffe fog as more chance of that happening

That team only comes to around 35.8 points. RS average doesn’t count towards the team total and Rowe is on 3.91 as gets 25% RS reduction and can’t see Sheffield getting Brennan (Birmingham or Ipswich)nor the Belle Vue reserve duo.