gazzac

Hadn't seen that, great news, and a great guest.

Says on the club website he was taken as a precaution as he couldn't feel his toes after banging his back. Hopefully just a temporary thing, but a bit worrying for him . Speedy recovery and hope he's back soon fit and well as he's been a revelation really considering his previous lay off.

Think some of the Lakeside fans are realising what we found at Eastie that it takes a few meetings to adjust to NL racing and the club to get their head around it. I nearly gave up after the first one but went again and could see everything starting to improve. Hopefully you can find another Tom Brennen or the like, looking forward to the next few seasons watching him grow into our No 1. There will be some boring meetings, but certainly no more than in the EL as was.

Always thought once JPB got his season going will quickly rise to be an out and out no 1. If that does prove to be the case, Brum will be there for the playoffs again with every chance this season of going all the way again.

I know a lot of people don't like the size and shape of Eastie's track, but very rarely is it dry dusty and slick. Not being a track curator cannot say for sure, but when you arrive for a meeting especially in the evening the track always looks damp even wet at times and has a thick layer of 'shale'. Makes it difficult for some riders because of the grip, but generally gives better racing without getting covered in dust. Surely it's a case of getting more dirt and unless rain is due watering it to the point of being wet . There must be a cost in this, but not as much as a dwindling crowd base. As regards getting the meeting through, unless there's any bad crashes, even with an interval should be totally possible to get it done inside 2 hours which I think is acceptable, any longer is bad management, refereeing.

Just shows if possible every speedway meeting in all leagues should be run in the evening. Very few can produce a decent track in the day. I'm sure Eastbourne would prefer Sunday afternoon, but even they struggle with the track and the racing is so much better Saturday evening.

At last a positive Hammer!

Wow !!!

I've noticed more or less every post summing up the first matches has had comments like great top end but reserves a problem or like Eastie great strength in depth but a bit nervous when our heat leaders come up against the likes of Morley and Zach. I think this is great for the NL and still unsure who's got it right yet, although at the moment I'm pleased with the Eastie team make up. With a 39 points limit was always going to be 2 ways of building a team,should be an interesting season to see who's got it right as it unfolds.

Terrific return after injury, and unexpected by most of us. Perhaps Plymouth had doubts on his recovery?

Dusty old Rye for you then!

Months ago I thought the points limit should be fixed for 2,preferably 3 years, and that was 40 last year and to me seemed about right. Would have also meant you would have had Harland Cook, and given some slightly different options to other teams.Certainly shouldn't reduce it any further next year.

Even Eastbourne, crikey the track must be bad sings!

Pretty much the norm for all speedway riders in all leagues unfortunately. Just the nature of our dangerous sport.

Although I'd love to have seen Jake back this year, I do admire Connor sticking to his guns of wanting a strength in depth team. Baring injuries should always have a strong 1 to 7 with 2 strong reserves whoever ends up there. Remains to be seen if we get out gunned by the likes of Cradley, but as usual will be hard to beat at home, with every team member capable of improving their average.

Practising for KL ? Fun?

Would be Tom at reserve to start off with, and Charley probably at 2 if Jake comes back which I hope he does. At the first average changes would probably swop around, but the longer we could keep Tom at reserve the better really. I seem to remember James Purchase breaking his collar bone last year, but if he wanted to ride again this year would be a solid reserve, think he must be fairly local as well as his company is in Romsey. This is no slight on Conner Coles by the way, but thought from word go his traveling could be a nightmare and still think he'll miss a number of meetings.

Feel sorry for the Warriors situation but I expect Eastbourne is probably the only other club he might change his mind for.

Many thanks, it does look he'll be most likely of any remaining riders but would go into the main body of the team but I suppose no more a risk than Adam was . Don't think Connor will want to change the team wholesale to get a big hitter in as wanted a balanced team from the outset. Having said that if they're not performing in the first month or so don't think he'd shy away from it then.

Sorry to ask Islander, but what was the last reassessed average he was given?

If he definitely isn't riding for the IOW ( did that get resolved one way or the other?) I think you could be right.

Paul Goldsmith is our main sponsor I think, and did look and he does say that, so does make you think it could be true. What plan b is I don't know but at least there's something to talk about now.

Perhaps we can name rider replacement at No 8, would give us a bit of flexibility!

All crystal clear then as I thought!!

As Adam hasn't started the season, do the rules allow you to go straight to rider replacement, or have we got to declare a team with another rider?