Steve0

Now that teams are just about finalised, my prediction is: Top 4: 1 Poole, 2 Belle Vue, 3 Swindon, 4 Leicester. When it gets to the playoffs, it will depend on what changes have been made as to who will be the champions although I think the teams will complete the league in the listed positions. Just missing out: 5 Wolves, 6 Somerset Wooden spoon battle: 7 Rye House, 8 Kings Lynn

Give him a chance to ride first

Why single Morris out? He rode in the CL last season so is allowed to ride. I agree that ALL riders with a PL average of a particular value shouldn't be allowed to double-up (currently 6 I believe) and not just those that didn't ride CL last year but I think it is unfair to single out individual riders.

I totally agree. Their justification is that Bomber rode in the CL last season and Nicholls didn't. The fact that Bomber has a higher PL average counts for nothing (apparently). More self interest

Is or was?

Are you stood right next to the silencers because I agree with Orlov and tellboy - there is less smell than I remember as a youngster

Of course Wolves and Swindon look weaker because they had the highest averaged teams at the end of last season and were forced to lose one of their top 2 - as have BV.

You are beginning to sound like a Poole fan! No one said it was anyone's fault and we all know these riders were available so other teams could have signed them. It is an astute piece of team building by Matt Ford - all within the rules. But on those averages, they are ringers and their averages can only go one way in this weakened league!

And what’s wrong with that? He is the world champion after all!

On current form, I believe that Lindgren is the better rider despite what your backside says. It's irrelevant anyway because PUK is riding here this year and not Freddie. BTW - past form is no indication of current/future performance. In terms of like ability though, I would take PUK every time!

Nope - Lindgren is the better of the two.

Stronger? Really? That's the best laugh I've had in a while Poole on the other hand - with their 3 ringers.... That's a different story.

Well if I had bought one of the houses in the pits on the basis that the stadium was being relocated, I would not be happy with these plan changes. We were also told that the new stadium was being stored somewhere in Wales but the new drawings look nothing like the old ones! It does seem that something is amiss

Is he not an asset of Lakeside? and Friday isn't an agreed Premiership day so it should be Lakeside.

Carrying a couple of hundred weight of potatoes on your shoulders there - can make plenty of chips!!!

Surely if you keep your 8 point rider (Kurtz) then you shouldn’t be allowed to sign a rider on a starting average over 8 (Pawlicki). Are 3 ringers not enough for you?

I will hold off making final predictions until all teams have been declared. However, of the (expected) completed teams, I have the following comments: Swindon - like last season, they are one rider short of a decent team (in this watered down league). If Mitchell lasts more than the first couple of months then I think will miss out on the playoffs. Poole - On paper, obviously the team to beat. If they don't win it with no less than 3 ringers in the team then it will be the biggest choke in speedway history. However, titles are not won on paper. Rye House - a Coventry team from yesteryear and while they will no doubt be strong at home, they will struggle away from home. Certainly looks like a Dads Army team and will fight Kings Lynn for the wooden spoon Kings Lynn - I am finding it difficult to say anything positive about this team except that most wrote Swindon off last season and look how that ended. However, I don't see where any significant improvement will come from to emulate Swindon last season. Leicester - certainly better than last year and I think they will be in the fight to make the playoffs. I don't think this team is as good as others are suggesting though. Somerset - a solid looking side with the world champion and, like Leicester, will be in the fight to make the playoffs. Wolves - not as good a side as the last two seasons but in this league I don't think they can be written off either. They will join the battle with Leicester and Somserset for a playoff place. Belle Vue - can't really comment until it's known who will replace Kenneth Bjerre. Looks like they will be strong in the reserve department though. So, for me with who has declared, it looks like 1 dead cert (Poole), 5 possibles fighting for the other 3 spots (Swindon, Leicester, Somerset, Wolves and Belle Vue) and 2 teams fighting for the wooden spoon (Rye House and Kings Lynn)

Of course there is doubt but it is unfair to compare them because they are from different eras and Darcy didnt get a chance to fulfil his potential - so we will never know.

Zengota? I think you mean Lahti

I think you are being a bit pedantic. Traditionally 1,3 and 5 are heat leader positions, 2 and 4 second strings, 6 and 7 reserves. If someone rides at 2 and 4 then they get easier programmed rides - which is probably whyThorsell's has such a high average

He may have been second in your averages but he rode at number 4 for a lot of the results I have just looked at - which I think is the point that is being made.

Of course - with Mitchell being replaced by another Alpen Too weak at reserve until that change!

That formula worked last season!

Swindon signed a rider on a ridiculous average (Doyle) and they kept Morris who had a poor year the previous season. That's loyalty and I believe both would still be riding for Swindon this year if the BSPA conference hadn't voted for the ridiculous one over 8 rule. Not to mention Ellis - who had a poor start and was kept in the team!

Your words not mine