MB723

I think Flint rode exactly the same as he has been, just now he has Pearson instead of Starke riding with him so his points look worse, big test for him to see if he can step up. Worrall looks very good when he makes the gate, if he doesn't though he doesn't seem to go forward.

Wasn't a fan at all when the team was announced. Worrall, Flint and Starke would have been some of the last riders I would have signed. Worrall before this meeting you could at least say was reliable just not as exciting as Basso, Flint has the potential to do something (though I think he is flattered a bit by riding with Starke) and Starke was I presume based on averages because he's been going downhill every season. Just seems like some strange choices for a team you'd expect to be competing for gold every year. I hope they can turn this around but changes may be on the horizon for us.

Problem I see with Worrall, is he seems scared to pass, even when he made the start he messed up the first bend. Possibly tonight has his best equipment in Germany

Shocking from Worrall no excuses. Personally predicted the Workington team low due to having 3 inconsistent riders in the top 3 and weaker reserves but when they are going they look like a very good package, Dan Thomson was a great guest tonight.

Could be close, with the form Cooks on right now he could be unbeatable. Looking forword to seeing how Tate does (though hopefully he takes a couple of rides at least to learn the track ) and hopefully Claus has forgotten how to ride the track while he isn't wearing red and white. Like the look of the Workington team, if all the riders ride to their full potential all season they will easily make the playoffs. Think it could come down to who's reserves fire up first.

To be fair, he wasn't really backing off round Ashfield.

Think he came back too early a couple of times and ended up getting hurt even more so I hope he is fully fit and not rushing himself, I'd rather he missed one meeting than coming back too early and end up missing more.

Bomber after 2 rides has outscored the second strings and reserves with a combined total of 12 rides, not good enough unfortunatly.

Problem for Cook is he isn't the most popular rider so when he has a poor meeting he gets the most stick, but when he does well he doesn't get the same amount of praise back. Can't be fun to have, that would affect anyone.

Great to see Cookie looking more like himself again. Think for his own sake he should take it slow and keep scoring high consistently for Workington before rushing for a spot in the premiership. Get the confidence up very high with a lower pressure environment instead of taking another hit if he isn't getting the same consistency/results in the top league, then mid season see if a place opens up.

I only mentioned Flint because if Lee is banned we may be forced into very early team changes and him or Starke could be in danger of losing a spot (don't think it'd be fair on either), both need to be on their A game. Hope Lee is back and we can focus on getting all the riders comfortable instead of making any changes.

Smith riding like he's been told there's a contract available, man of the match only out scored by Harris. Might be worth experimenting swapping Pearson and Starke at home, Pearson looking much more comfortable. Leon to me still not good enough, his 2 3rds were very nearly lasts and his 2 wins were heats he should be easily winning.

Think Starke was just riding too defensively, maybe not confident his bike had the speed, leaving himself a bit open when the rider behind noticed. Think he rode very well, bit closer to his 2019 form than what we've seen the last few years from him.

Final Table 1. Redcar 2. Poole 3. Glasgow 4. Oxford 5. Berwick 6. Workington 7. Scunthorpe 8. Plymouth 9. Edinburgh Think Oxford will start weak but finish strong and win the play offs against Redcar

Round 1: Scunthorpe vs Plymouth QF1: Poole vs Edinburgh QF2: Oxford vs Glasgow QF3: Redcar vs Workington QF4: Scunthorpe/Plymouth vs Berwick

Yeah averages would have to be looked at, though honestly they could just use the 3,2,1,0 format to calcualate averages if they are lazy, as only the most dedicated fans really care about averages. I think it would be a fun test if they used it for a cup to see how it works. I just want to see some team riding, that is where you really see the skill some riders have.

For a bit of fun in the off-season, does anyone think the pairs scoring format (4,3,2,0) would improve the championship with the lower points limit. It may force teams to build more strength in depth than having 2 heavy hitters with either the second strings or reserves being weaker as last places would be more costly. Might naturally decrease doubling up and allow more 5-6 pointers to have a chance of a team spot instead of decreasing the point limit every season. Could also force riders to learn to team ride instead of disappearing out front.

Think Tom will be Gdansk's U24 rider in Liga 1 not riding in the U24 league

How about, Bomber 8.95* B Cook 7.39 Bailey 5.23* Kemp 5.19 Fredriksen 4.57 Complin 3.50* Pijper 3.17* Total 38.00 (*with reduction)

More just playing with averages but these might work if it's a 38 point limit (if I've done the brit reductions right) Bomber 8.95* Lawson 8.48* Bailey 5.23* Fredriksen 4.57 Borke 4.00 Complin 3.50* Pijper 3.17* Total 37.90 Or Bomber 8.95* Kye Thompson 6.48 Rowe 5.80* Bailey 5.23* D Thompson/Hume 4.86*/4.84 Complin 3.50* Pijper 3.17* Total 37.99/37.97 (* with reduction) Don't think either are at all likely but an idea of how a team could look?