Ben91

Could a return for Ryan Blacklock be on the cards now he has signed for Berwick in the Championship?

Two very good signings for the Hammers to begin their team building. Was sad to see Bowtell leave Rye at the end of 2016, Hunter has had bad luck with injuries but looks a good prospect if he can stay injury free. The Hammers should look to have Hunter start at reserve if at all possible.

Kingston's big mistake was leaving Kent. While it was due to work commitments he's never seemed to be the same rider since. If a return to a local club, his parent club too, could get him back on track then there is no reason he couldn't average around the six point mark. Morley, Hazelden and a focussed Kingston would be a solid enough start for the Hammers.

I tend to sit between you and waiheke below, I reckon Klindt will average about six next year, he's not terrible but he isn't going to set the world on fire. I wouldn't say he's a cert to end up in the main team like some people would try have you believe either. Yes we will, double figure scores from good reserves have always happened under the format that's being used again from next season. Riders at number seven have two easier heats, two and eight, also facing an opposition reserve in heat four and 12/14. They also don't meet the opposition number one during their programmed rides. Then there's the factor of taking additional rides for underperforming team mates and there's the chance for big hauls for some reserves under this format too.

Strong reserves will rack up points regardless of race format.

If promotion and relegation is going to be introduced then it should be one up and one down, no play-offs. Otherwise it's just bluster ultimately.

James Shanes would be worth a go for Berwick if he's willing to do the travelling.

Not to mention it also being a load of pony.

It's between Glasgow and Sheffield for me with Ipswich just behind.

You're welcome to him at Belle Vue then.

That's not a very good side. Fair play to Somerset assuming they've assembled it within their means however. I can see them being near the foot of the table though.

Rather have Robbo in the pits than Batchelor any day.

Strudwick young? There will probably be reserves in the NL next year that were still in nappies when Strudwick started riding and they're probably miles better than him already too.

I'd rather have a rider that looks interested at all times not just when things are going his way.

Pleased enough with that. He's signed on with Redcar too and I'd assume he'll get a NL place so he'll have lots of time on the bike. No pressure on him to do well, if he can beat his opposite number in heat two at home most weeks and pick up a few points here and there in other heats and away meetings then he'll have done his job. Who owns Perks out of interest?

Mellgren is a shell of the rider he used to be. Heeps is too inconsistent and Rob was better last season. Wethers has had his day. Between Rob's 4.60 and 5.65 the only rider I'd have considered who isn't signed up elsewhere so far (or announced) is Alex Davies but he seems to be on a downward curve too after looking set to become a PL heatleader a few years back. Branford is the rider the Rye fans wanted and he's the rider we've got. That means a lot to fans, especially those who have in the past seen Jason Doyle dropped to accommodate Steve Boxall amongst other things of a similar ilk.

They're all round. Bates has been in the top flight since 2014, he's obviously going to have seen more of the tracks than Branford.

Quite the opposite actually. Not the place to discuss it but I think leaving the EU is an awful decision. I'd just prefer to see British youngsters take places in British teams over imports, not as if our lads are getting a look in any other countries after all.

I think that's pretty obvious. They're the only five I'd be bothered about missing out, especially when there are overseas riders on similar averages in team declarations already.

I'd say he's on a par with Bates. This isn't the EL anymore it's PL plus. He'll do just fine. Got a feeling our last rider is going to be Nathan Greaves. Wouldn't be my choice.

Buxton are a small club though, I assume they make little to no profit each year but continue to run because of a love for the sport from those behind the scenes. That isn't small club mentality from Buxton it is them telling it how it is. They assemble a team every year, sometimes they put a team out that isn't competitive granted but they do it within their means and there are years when the riders they have helped to develop all click and they do well, they won the league as recently as 2010 with a team containing Craig Cook, Nick Morris, Jason Garrity and Rob Branford. I don't know much about Pipe, he seems to have plenty of detractors though, but if he is putting time and effort into helping Buxton run he has to be commended for that at the very least.

The five in bold are the only ones that haven't got a team in either division so far that I'd be bothered about not having clubs. Of those it seems that Starke and Bewley are fixed up but haven't been announced yet.

Because over time the number of existing foreigners that are not up to the required standard will go down and eventually teams will only employ those that they believe are truly worth investing time and money in. There are not too few British riders. There are plenty without a job in the top two divisions at present.

Branford is the rider Rye fans wanted and rightly so. Will be close to his starting average come the end of the year.

Last winter many called out Campton as a poor singing and were shot down. Ultimately those that said he was a poor singing were right and the same thing is happening this winter.