Willowman

But decided on the speedway instead!

Is this not a bit presumptuous? Or is it common knowledge? Or is it just speculative from his tweet? Bit of a blow for you chaps if it is fact!

Yes, many many many many times!

Quality well thought out and comprehensive post. Well impressed.

Panthers move for Olly.

You mean the one here (for anyone else interested)?

Lions share, if not all, the team to be announced week on Thursday.

Would like Pontus added to that list too!

Careful now. Have you seen the size of him? Well I assume it's a him otherwise the steroids and hormones have a lot to answer for!

I'm liking the looks of that team (and right on the money too - down 0.02) although there will be many critical of loosing Olly and Nick. However I think now is the time for Nick to move on for the sake of himself and the team. Although Olly has been top drawer at home and great to have for a season, he has had a few shockers away. As per the start of this season, few will bank on us topping the table but if Gary can work his Somerset magic, we could be in with a shout again. A bit more risk but one worth taking I would agree. I do wonder though if we will see Josh back which would require a revamp. But I do like retaining the riders you have done. I do like the closed season rumours, suggestions and inside info. Thought the rumour was that Jack Holder was Scunthorpe bound though although Matt Ford's centre green interview was interesting.

Would have been more so before the stitches!

Not a fan of the EL then?

A bit harsh there Shads. Perhaps a 'Masochist' would be a better term to use.

Did I miss something Cliffeboy? Fours is only 4/7 of a team. You can hardly count the PL Shield as the competition wasn't open to all teams!

Bar the Fours of course. You will never guess who won! Only the seond best team in 2014. Oops. That will teach me to read and digest first before engaging my keyboard. Sorry Paulco, read straight past the 'team' bit. Scrub the above.

Yes, and we haven't done too bad considering. Second best only to the Monarchs.

Many congratulations to the Monarchs and even more commiserations to the Rebels. Just glad we could make a final of it. With both teams having a rider out you could argue that both teams had their destiny in their own hands but the Rebels fate did ultimately lie in the hands of their guests for Olly, no more to be said. Undoubtedly the Monarchs were by far the best team in 2014 and deserve to be champions but I wouldn't have lost any sleep if we had won. After the turmoil of the team building we haven't done too badly ourselves so we can't be too disappointed. Well done Edinburgh. See you again next year!

Here, here. A very good summary there Rico. Can't believe how a rider can ride so well for so little return.

The good thing is that the competition is not already decided. Enjoy your final Monarchs fans. Hope we can keep things close for you.

Sorry 'Brummie Rebel' but I have to agree with oldtimer. Nothing wrong with the track at all. It was different than usual but it was still fit. The track staff must have performed miracles after all the heavy rain. Shame about the guest who really didn't live up to his pedigree let alone cover for Olly sufficiently. No use being sorry about your performance in a meeting in which you were required to do well in considering the importance. It certainly is nicely poised if the Rebels can do themselves justice. If they get battered then the Monarchs deserve the title. If they perform well it could go down to the wire. Don't know if my nerves can't stand following it live. May just dip in now and again. What will be, will be. PS: It's a win-win situation after last nights performance really. Win, if we win after loosing Olly, win if the Monarchs batter us and thus deserve to be champions, win (but disappointing) if we just loose out in a close 2nd leg - at least we will have done ourselves proud.

Are you feeling okay Taylorj? I was very concerned when I read this. Thought you were having some sort of breakdown! Or is it just the lesser of all the evils?

Local announcement here, for those interested.

Genious. Love it!

I don't think so. I'm sure we would have made something of it if we did. This was made public locally a couple of weeks ago but perhaps it is the licencing that has kept this low key. Now there isn't much going on, it is something positive that can fill the news page.

Very good point. What we have been discussing from the theme of the thread is the OTA track. 'advantage': "a condition or circumstance that puts one in a favourable or superior position." Thus track advantage means things such as adverse camber, tight bend entry, squared off bends, long fast straights, hard metal fencing, etc. I don't think the OTA has any such condition. I don't dispute (especially in the last three years) that we have had rider advantage at home, even away too.