szkocjasid

Think I'd prefer this team to one with Howarth as 3rd heat leader.

Well as 8 of the 9 clubs finished above the 40 points limit, statistically 2027 teams should be weaker?

I would've raised the minimum average of foreigners to 5, rather than lowering it to 3. I'd also support Brits minimum average returning to 3, now we have situations where having a 2.25 average loses you a team spot to a new 2 pointer. While I realise that could happen with a 3.25 rider / minimum 3.00 ave rule, feel a 3.25 averaged rider is more likely to get a senior reserve spot than a 2.25 rider ever would.

Looks a decent team, stronger top 2 & will always have a strong reserve to take the pressure off Southwick.

Don't forget the league is weaker, building a similar strength team should mean an improved league position.

Don't forget the league is weaker, building a similar strength team should mean an improved league position.

I find it hard to judge that team, amazing top 4, but a weak bottom 3. Especially as Hagon had spells where he struggled at reserve. Good to see many Brits getting a team spot.

With Oxford's suggested top 4 being so strong, Perry would have to be the "stronger" reserve. You never know what you’ll get from a new 2 pointer, for example Ben Whalley averaged 0.84, so it could be too big a risk starting with Summers & Fletcher?

He would be a good signing, rides Belle Vue better than King's Lynn.

It depends what you consider a heat leader, as Cairns would've been a heat leader at Berwick, Oxford, Redcar & Scunthorpe. Plus the league will be weaker in 2027. .

I don't think Edinburgh will have a strong 2nd heat leader, so more likely to want a stronger reserve than Cluff for strength in depth.

Riss would be available on a 5.05 ave. As long as he rides one league match in the Prem he'd revert to his rolling ave from 2025 (6.93) so if he did suffer from illness again, which we hope he wouldn't, Ipswich would have more scope for a replacement.

Looks a decent team to me. Manzares wasn't great for Scunthorpe last time he rode over here, so would be the biggest question mark for me.

If either were available, then yes I'd have them ahead of Lasse.

I'm not so sure about that, just based on his home / away split. 7.33 (8.86) vs 3.35 (3.91).

Not a massive risk due to the play-offs. As long as any new riders learn their way round by mid-season. Mind you depending how the track is altered, home advantage would be lessened anyway.

As Edinburgh don't often make too many changes & I think Wolbert would be a great signing, came up with this team. Edinburgh Kye Thomson 8.23 Justin Sedgmen 6.84 Paco Castagna 5.88 Jonatan Grahn 5.63 Kevin Wolbert 5.00 Lasse Fredriksen 4.71 Jordy Loftus 3.67 Total 39.96

Obviously it's all opinions at this stage, but I think quite a few of the Poole riders are being under rated by many. Lightcap averaged 4.83, but remains on 4.00 as he didn't ride enough matches. Considering he started half way through the year on tracks all new to him, I think that's decent & can see him at least putting a point on his (4.83) average. Cairns stepped up from the easier no 7 position & scored well at number 6, then carried on his form when he moved into the top 5. So if have no qualms about him riding at 5 & would expect his average to go up. You could also say he's on a slightly "false" average as his 2026 ave was 6.94 from 18 matches, counting the last 2 from 2025 drops his rolling ave to 6.61 (6.44 with reduction). I see no reason why Rushen's 2nd season won't be similar to Cairns' so expect maybe 2 points on his average. Then Kennett has shown what he can do when guesting. The more I think about it, can see them romping away with the league.

If we're expecting surprises, how about this team? Using Newman, left room for a stronger 2nd heat leader, Sedgmen was the highest available that fits in! Poole Richard Lawson 8.15 Justin Sedgmen 6.84 Will Cairns 6.44 Cooper Rushen 5.01 Kyle Newman 4.92 Edward Kennett 4.62 Slater Lightcap 4.00 Total 39.98

It seems most, especially Berwick & Leicester fans have forgiven Nick Morris, plus many fans wanted him for 2027, did he ever apologise for refusing to take a drugs & alcohol test? Maybe its my imagination, but I kinda feel like Speedway Star articles / forum comments would praise him for finding form after a long time out, rather than pointing out that was caused by him? But if Morris was welcomed back, it would only be fair the same applies to Complin?

I thought McDiarmid had an amazing first season over here, especially for such a young riders. Really expected him to kick on this season & if anything was a disappointment. Could be he'd make the next step up for Poole?

Every team bar Workington has to weaken, so comparing next years teams to this year isn't how you pick the favourites imo. Otherwise that would mean it would be impossible for Poole to be favourites as they're bound to look weaker in 2027.

Shows the flaw in the U21 rule. Joe T after a good season, having to start in the top 5, could mean not getting a team spot. I can see that happening a lot, some weaker U21s getting a chance too early, but stronger riders getting left on the scrapheap at 22!

I think either of these teams would be very strong. Even without knowing other teams, I'd have them as favourites based on the amount of improvement I could see riders getting on their averages.

If Brennan wanted to leave, Ipswich would have a right to feel aggrieved, as they stuck by him during a disappointing season. Normally clubs then hope to benefit the following year.