gazzac

I sort of agree, but as I and many others have said if the points limit had been what it should have been 42.5 you wouldn't have had a rider shortage.

Cannot believe there's any commercial gain for Paul Goldsmith and his companies with speedway sponsorship. I don't know him personally, but everything you hear about him is that he is a true speedway fan. I just think we're so lucky that he's an Eastie supporter. He may not own the club, but I seriously doubt there would be any speedway at Arlington without his involvement. Regarding the website, the old one was beginning to look a bit tired, and I'm sure when the new one's completed will look more up to date.

I assume that as our new main sponsor is a competing IT company in the previous one, they would want to put their own stamp on a totally new website as it is part of what they do as a business, although I seem to remember seeing that both companies maybe owned by the same people, but imagine they'd still want to freshen the website up a bit.

I've said it before make all 3 leagues 42.5, leave it alone for a minimum of 3 years, you're always get stronger and weaker teams (no different to now with 39) but shouldn't have this problem with riders like Knight unable to get a ride, and the likes of Brennen ,Kemp etc will ride against better riders before going up a league. Actually having thought about it again scrap that idea, it's far too simple.

I bet if you looked at posts on this forum from the first years it started in any league in any year about diluting the product, there would be hundreds of posts similar to the last few, this sport will never or never want to learn. I said months ago it should be 42.5 to match the other leagues, and I remember some posts from Jake's father Richard saying this would happen, perhaps fearing the worst for Jake. What's worse we'll be having the same conversation next year with more promising riders missing out.

I think like a lot of supporters I'm beyond caring now as it'll be made up as the season goes along. What credibility ( I do lose the word lightly)the NT had has long since gone out the window. I envy BV not being involved in it , sounds a bit harsh but think deep down a few clubs probably wish they were not involved in it. I'm not anti Cradley and never want to see a team cease, but this doesn't seem the right way.

Thanks for clearing that up then Sings

This sounds like a Harry Hill argument when he used to do TV Burp. "So which is best a Brennen or a Bickley, there's only one way to find out ------ Fight !

I've nothing against Cradley trying to keep a team going and there's obviously no rule to stop them building a dream team, but think it's already starting to devalue what is already the third rated tournament in the NL. I'll be honest and say I wish Eastie had taken the decision not to enter the Trophy competition this year as they struggled to get all their fixtures completed last year and will probably be worse this season. I can do a lot of home fixtures but not all, and unfortunately I don't think I'll be alone in marking league matches and Ko cup and ignoring the Trophy.

Totally agree, absolutely ridiculous!

With the NT though on Good Friday? Or Saturday, but could say play Kent home and away, 2 matches that mean something rather than pointless challenges.

I see Mildenhall are now defending the National Trophy, which means from an Eastie point of view ( in fact most teams point of veiw) we now have all the league matches plus hopefully the playoffs to follow, a minimum of 8 NT matches, and the Ko Cup first round proper. If we perform as we have over the last few seasons in the cup matches add another 8/9 matches on top. Surely this year even more so than the last few years,the season should start before the end of March with preferably the NT and do away with the pointless challenge matches. Have a proper full day press and practice the week before to test machinery etc . If not will be the usual 6.00 on the last Sunday in October keeping fingers crossed on the weather with a poor crowd for what should be a blue ribband match.

So it is an old mates team after all. I hope Mark proves me wrong but still don't see him as a No1, a really good 3 or 5 , will be competitive but won't win it looking at Mildenhall's team like last year with BV. If Mark was signed before the points limit Jake would never get a team place unless it went up to about 43 which was never going to happen.

Very little in it, and if Knight had not posted that he was gutted not to be back when the limit was announced we'd be thinking it nailed on he'd be the last signing. Maybe they think we need a change to push that last bit to win the playoffs having failed last year.One thing we do need is a No1 who maintains his average to stay at No1 leaving Brennen and Wood at 3 and 5 being strong in those places, as well as if it is Mountain and he gets called away on championship meetings can get a decent guest rather than R/R . Just assuming now it is him, would not look good if it was Baseby having left Knight out.

If your last prediction of Mountain at 1 is right, will be a very competitive team again within the 39 points, and very strong at home. Will be there or there abouts again, and if Edwards moves on in leaps and bounds should still always have a strong reserve pairing if he swaps with Kelsey. As you say just need Kelsey to stay on and not have any injuries again.

Unfortunately you're right, 39 points was always going to lead to teams like this, for example Kent are looking to run Taylor Hampshire at 4 who may improve but not a rider you'd normally think of in that position. As usual we will be very strong at home.

Agree , although I like Mark, he's not really a No1, especially when we still have enough points to have Jake. So as it's not him hope we're going for someone thought of as an out and out No 1 .

Would be a great signing, still remember the performance he put in the season before last in the ko cup final when Birmingham came with an illegal no 1, kept the meeting alive , scoring 19 against the likes of Knight, Adam Ellis etc. from reserve. Do think it unlikely though unfortunately.

Just seen a few more of his videos on his Facebook page, very exciting looking rider in the Shanes style,if he can master a 500 around our tight track, he does look a really good 'find'. Well done to the Dugards once again.

Great to have him back, gives his all in every meeting above and beyond his ability some times and when you think of Eastie and the NL, with all the success we've had, he's been the constant factor. If he can improve his machinery a bit, will definitely be consistently an 8.00 plus rider.

Apart from using up all the points, would Connor Mountain be a better No 1 especially at home than Jake Knight? Would rather have Jake again really.

We could have Jake, but I think Mark has been 'promised' a team place, if the limit had been say 42.5 may have jigged a team with Jake as well, the moment 39 was known Jake was on Twitter saying he was gutted. Shame but the points limit will restrict us to a slightly mediocre team.

If you mean ready for a 500, probably not , will do one meeting on a borrowed bike, then we'll use guests for the remainder of the normal season, until the sharp end then we'll do our usual and have the next 15 year old wonder kid for the playoffs and cup finals. Sure this will be the case as it's so liked by most supporters. (I've been told before sarcasm gets lost in text, I am being sarcastic again, but stranger things have happened, Hurry assessed average etc! )

Think you could be right, but if that's the case, is a slightly underwhelming team, and leaving 0.41 spare.

Yep,does tend to give people the hump(or two)!