Star Fever

Isn't that after the stupid cut-off date?? I thought 19th was the dead-line. If so then Poole MUST lose at least one of their aways, otherwise Lynn will miss out on top spot and first pick. Of course assuming we get 3pts v. Lakeside and we DO get points at BV we'll end up winning the league but apparently that doesn't mean anything any more

Great win for the Stars tonight - good show by all and even the guest thank goodness! Certainly helps us in our bid to finish top. Coventry can't overtake Lynn now unless Lynn lose points at home v. Lakeside, leaving Poole as the main threat - they need to get 2x 4pt away wins to make sure though at Coventry and Leicester. Hopefully the Bees can ruin their hopes and maybe finish above them to boot Current top 3 Lynn +21 (max poss +25) (min +18) Coventry +15 (max poss +19) (min +3) Poole +14 (max poss +22) (min +14)

Just seen that Harris has been gifted a spot in the GP Challenge due to Dudek's suspension, so once again he has a GP chance next year! Unbelievable He is fast becoming the new 'Andy Smith' of the GPs .....

No According to everyone on here Lynn had won the league by June, but look at it now - Lynn are still hanging on by their fingertips but Coventry and Poole have every chance. Why do we need the play-offs to give supporters an exciting finish when thats exactly what we have?? And if neutral supporters get so excited by the play-off final why can't they go to the vital matches taking place involving these teams in the last weeks of the season if they're so interested in the outcome?? That would benefit the incomes of several teams not just the top 4.

Replacements for injured riders you mean? Well yes apparently as that's what Piraterna did - my only query was whether they were in their squad in the first place. Guests for injured riders? Don't know tbh but if they have squads or are allowed to sign replacements then they wouldn't need guests anyway! The UK could learn something from this!! R/R? Yes.

Harris for Niels.. lol you couldn't make it up Just watched Swedish play-off semi tonight and Piraterna bring in Piotr Pawlicki for either Ward/Hancock and Schlein in at reserve and the announcer is wondering if they'll keep the same team next week or opt for R/R for one of their missing two so Holder/Pawlicki can get more rides. Don't know if PP and Rory were already part of their squad or if they were allowed to bring in replacements, but how nice to have a choice - unlike in UK ofc

No way - I'd have thought most ppl know by now I've always been anti-playoffs from year one day one, no matter who tops the league. Can't see the point of having a 7 month long season of 144 fixtures just to boil it down to 6 knock-out fixtures in a few weeks for the supposed sake of an exciting climax, especially with seasons like this one where any of 3 teams can still finish top of the league thus its already an exciting climax Never understood either why ppl frown on double point TR and Joker rides when the play-offs really are 'Its A knockout' !! And yes the season is meant to be a marathon - its the play-offs that are a pointless sprint.

I'm sure the same hordes would happily travel to watch their team(s) in a crucial match that might win the league for them too, but hey you're right of course - what does it matter if the actual completion of the league and final positions are brushed aside till after the almighty play-offs are sorted eh? As long as there are 4 teams in the MERE SIX play-off matches to keep Sky and the hordes happy its fine isn't it! Who cares if the top team in the league after 144 matches over seven months of a season don't win the league eh? As long as the team that does best in the 2 or 3 weeks of play-offs wins the league that's all that matters isn't it!!

Hmm could be an anti-climax though if Poole or Coventry have already clinched it - its our aways at Leicester/BVue that are the crucial ones

Indeed - that's why the play-offs are a nonsense - the climax to top the league is plenty exciting enough surely :/

Damn you people for reading it so quick - I realised too late lolz (play-offs are still stupid tho')

Can't see a thread yet so thought I'd start one. Lynn need to win this to hang on to top spot

So basically you're agreeing with me then. Swindon are there UNLESS Eastie pick up 2 away wins at least And yes OBVIOUSLY I was referring to the fact that if Coventry were prevented from finishing top due to non-completion of fixtures it would be criminal! As for the play-offs, ok you go on believing that

Lol - ofc Swindon are there. Can you honestly see Eastie getting 8 points away?? Swindon have another away to come anyway (BV) and even if Coventry win there next week they're still odds-on. The only thing that could mess up Swindon's chances is the possibility of not completing their fixtures - and same with Coventry for finishing top, and if that happened it would be criminal. The play-offs are a poor way to decide League Champs anyway without a stupid cut-off date dictating who's in and who isn't.

Yes good performance tonight no thanks to the guests though...dear oh dear With Poole losing a home point this week and Lynn gaining one away there might still be a chance we hold on to top spot

No I didn't think it was, that's why I said 'someone' - don't be so paranoid!

Good memory! Don't know who it was but someone on the forum also said that Lynn relied too heavily on Lambert & Porsing too, so I guess they're right - we rely too heavily on everyone in the team!

Half-expected Lynn to lose tbh, as we've totally gone off the boil lately and with Niels and Lewis R out only makes it worse. My hopes were raised I admit by the Coventry doom merchants on here but they were wrong about that AND the likelihood of a poor crowd it seems... LOL don't worry. Lynn will probably end up 3rd in the league at this rate behind Coventry (1st) and your lot :/

Eastbourne are only in a good position IF they manage to get some away points. As they've not got a reputation for getting away points I'd say they only have a slim outside chance and that's even IF Swindon lose v. Coventry. As the Robins also have 2 aways to come at Leicester and BVue, and their away record is somewhat better, I'd say they are favourites!

Don't really get why the team has been switched round tbh? Nicholls at #1 would surely be ok? Similarly I don't think switching Rob and Nik around is an advantage either but ... hey ho

Lol ok - like you I hope that Swindon don't lose any points too - I'd hate to see Eastie get in the top 4 purely down to another team failing. However if Eastie manage to win a couple away they'll have earnt it.

Yes we already knew that SL won't be at Coventry (Thurs) or Eastie (Sat) due to Comet clashes, so guests unfortunately. Plus guest for Niels too this is looking less likely a Stars win:/

Yes makes you wonder why they bother with play-offs doesn't it? Any of 3 teams could finish top of the league atm, and it would be well-deserved whoever it is - instead we've got to look forward to a mad scramble to get all the fixtures in for the daft cut-off date so that 4 teams can have a mini-knockout cup to decide the champions!! Ridiculous You're expecting Eastbourne to get some away points then?? If Swindon don't lose any at home the Eagles will need an extra 4pts minimum from their remaining 6 away fixtures. Same with Lakeside but they've only got ONE away left. Of course - it all depends on injuries and guests,and obviously all the fixtures need to be completed - as I said. This league system however is based on fact - on the form of teams up to this point and what they need to do to maintain their current positions so it DOES take into account 'points on the board'. For instance Coventry are only now coming to most people's attention as serious play-off candidates/league winners because they are catching up on fixtures but they were ALREADY way ahead of most teams on form alone because they'd accrued plenty of away points earlier in the season. They're catching up on fixtures now and maintaining (and improving) that form so it is 'suddenly' noticeable. They now have +15 btw to Lynn's +17 so another away win like tonight will see them current league leaders on form. Unless ofc Lynn take points from them there on Thursday!

Coventry are virtually certain to be in the play-offs (completion of fixtures pending) - they could probably lose a couple at home and STILL make it if Lakeside/ Eastbourne fail to gain away points! Signing Barker didn't help but he's out again so with a decent guest, who knows if they'll get further).

And the more realistic top 6 looks like this (home pts lost v.away points gained) : worst possible best possible losing remaining homes winning remaining aways(+4pts) Lynn +16 (+13) (+32) Poole +13 ( +7 ) (+29) Coventry +11 ( -4) (+23) Swindon +2 ( -4) (+10) Eastbourne -1 ( -4) (+23) Lakeside -1 ( -4) ( +3 ) So just gaining 4 away points for Poole or 6 away points for Coventry will put them above Lynn if Lynn gain no more (obviously less if KL lose points at home, but they have 4 more away so would help if they gained some); Eastbourne & Lakeside must hope Swindon lose home points to overtake them for 4th spot, although winning away points (not their forte) will give them both a better chance, but Swindon also have chances of away points too so unlikely? Once again, this relies on completion of all outstanding fixtures....