I think the Oxford management are well aware the Spires team is weak. A big name was expected to sign in the winter, but didn't. What options are available to them now? Even if they are willing to splash a bit of cash, who is available now that would make a significant difference?

seems like ht 8 was the clincher. amazing the winning team only produced 3 ht winners.

It's sink or swim with a lead weight tied around your ankles though. It's okay having protected heats but there's no restrictions around the rest of the team, except for number 1 and number 6, so a team could have their 2nd best averaged rider riding at number 2 to have the easy pickings of the rising star... Becker, King, Jeppesen, Blodorn, Klindt & Rowe. But it could just add easily be Masters, Sayfutdinov, Zagar, Bewley, Iversen & Chris Holder. Add to that they can be pulled out of their 4th ride and it's no real protection at all. 

for me the most important thing is that it prevents number seven positions being taken up by foreign riders who arent up to it would rather have young brits there naturally its a bit sink or swim but i think it's the right way to go 

I'm not sure I would say "I feel for Hagon" he wasn't forced into the position, he wanted it. If it's gonna harm his confidence all he has to do is step down & come back up when he's more ready. As for the RS position, if clubs struggled to fill the positions, then I'd totally agree, get rid of it. But as long as there's riders willing to take the spots, I see no reason to get rid of it. I know I'm not in the majority from what I read on here. But I'm a massive fan of the RS system.

Seems strange that Berwick in the CL is too far but Scuntfield in the NL isn't. Maybe he's waiting to pick up a CL team spot later when somebody inevitably gets injured?