I don't think last year had anything to do with Boughen/Scott/Harrison and everything to do with Cook and the key meetings Kvech missed, particularly BV away.
As for this year, I get your Paco fears but I think you and many others are/will be underestimating what Scott & Rushen are capable of.
Never mind the riders, its not nice for punters to park and walk on!
Unfortunately its the one part of the stadium not owned by Buster but instead the council, and neither party is willing to resurface it.
I don't think folk are against guests if they are absolutely necessary (ie number one or a reserve) but R/R should be compulsory for numbers 2-5 unless more than one is missing and then it really should be a rider who doesnt already race in that league. Riders helping/hindering direct rivals is absolutely bonkers and needs to be kept to a minimum. And we certainly need to clamp down on absences, particularly in the Championship. Far too many last season.
Without getting into 'he said, she said' I've heard that Cooper's two clubs for this season were agreed months and months ago. That's not to say that he couldn't have been persuaded by Ipswich at the 11th hour but he's had an affiliation with Lynn for many years and the fact that he's ended up a Star is little surprise.
From what I've heard there seems to be a pretty good chance that Northampton will happen but time will tell. Things can change pretty quickly, both positively and negatively.
I'm not sure anyone any good on a 4 is willing/able to come over to the UK for a whole season unfortunately, if at all.
While Paco has his limitations his experience will be useful with a very young reserve pairing and of course what he brings off track too.
The meeting at Lynn was the second leg of the Play Off final:
https://speedwayupdates.proboards.com/thread/21410/leicester-poole-championship-final-2022