szkocjasid

So Poole have got 2.96 remaining, there's no riders between 2 & 2.96. So must be starting nearer a point under the limit, very surprising. Also means they could have kept Foord, despite using the "numbers game" excuse when dropping him.

I think Berwick will be expecting him to reach his average. Even if he doesn't I don't think the teams limit will drop, the league is slightly weaker, so all riders should up their averages.

How about? Nathan Ablitt 8.49 Jason Garrad 8.36 Max Perry 6.89 Mickie Simpson 4.49 Kean Dicken 3.67 Jamie Etherington 3.00 Declan Killeen 3.00 Total 37.90

I'd be surprised if Scunthorpe preferred Garrad to Harrison? With Harrison starting in the top 5, think Development league racing would suit him, giving him extra rides, as he'll likely get less races now no longer at reserve, at least at the start of the season.

I do remember reading an article in the speedway star about a possible comeback, but seems a while since I read that.

Cheers. Surprised not to see Declan Killeen. Doesn't look a strong team, although it's hard to with a 38 point limit.

For the people blocked on the Oxford FB page for having an opinion that differs from Schroeck's could you post the team please?

Totally agree, credit to Edinburgh for actually announcing Palovaara was on a different average to the one he finished with.

Berwick announced him as thier number one, Cook has an 8.42 average, they had 8.68 available. The only logical average I could see him having was 8.5? Someone had previously posted the rules & assessed averages for new / returning riders, but can't remember what topic that was in.

Kildemand signs for Berwick, I'm guessing on an 8.5 average, what would that make his Prem average?

Berwick announced Kildemand as their new number one, Cook is on 8.42 & they had 8.68 available, so I'm guessing he must be on 8.5?

That's not true, if they are say on a 42 point average & the double change drops them down to 41, that's not allowed. I'm not saying Nicholls won't come back, but it's not as simple as some seem to think.

Former Mildenhall riders maybe?

I'd put a lot of money on Poole not finishing as low as 6th.

It was 2015 Monarchs won with Clegg & Branford in the team, both started on 3.00 (minimum that season) & ended on about 3.50. That team was similar to the way Glasgow have built their team, but it's not often clubs win things starting with 2 low averaged reserves.

There would be no problem there imo, once the other clubs have picked the best 2.00 riders, the next best remaining would have the choice of half a season at Poole (putting himself in the shop window) or just riding NDL & hoping to get picked up later!

MB723 is correct, if Killeen, Jenkins, Masters improve their averages as expected, will be tough to fit Nicholls back in. I'm not saying it won't happen, but it's not a foregone conclusion that it will happen.

While that certainly could happen, if the teams average shoots up, there's a chance that Nicholls & Scott for Heeps & Knudsen would no longer fit

Newman has a 5.24 average, so that team wouldn't fit. Nathan Ablitt in place of Newman fits under the limit.

So far Glasgow, Poole & Redcar look like almost certainties for the play-offs, everyone else fighting for 4th spot. But if one of the other clubs has a strong season, could be a big gap between 4th & 5th. Too early to place the rest till teams are completed.

I've not seen him ride, I'd agree he was a terrible signing on a 6.00 average, but on a 4.00 at reserve, could be a different story? I guess my thinking is that riders like James Pearson & Jacob Hook had poorer averages in their first seasons, but got signed up again?

If the temp reserve has a 2.3 average, he can be replaced by a 2 point rider. If clubs make a single change, they can sign someone on an equal or lower average, don't have to fit under the points limit. I can't see Paul Starke being the temporary signing as he's 99 likely to score more than his reserve partner (can't think of any 2 point riders who would outscore him).

Pretty sure this'll get a negative reaction but what about? Craig Cook 8.42 Rory Schlein 8.08 Drew Kemp 6.46 Danyon Hume 4.87 Bastien Borke 4.84 Jack Smith 3.64 Paul Starke 3.36 Total 39.67 Or Craig Cook 8.42 Rory Schlein 8.08 Drew Kemp 6.46 Danyon Hume 4.87 Bastien Borke 4.84 Matic Ivacic 4.00 Connor Coles 3.25 Total 39.92 I'd probably prefer to have Borke starting at reserve though Craig Cook 8.42 Rory Schlein 8.08 Drew Kemp 6.46 Kyle Newman 5.24 Danyon Hume 4.87 Bastien Borke 4.84 Max James 2.00 Total 39.91

If it was, it means Hook's first season is even more impressive than Leibmann's. With the weaker leagues, you'd expect riders to put a little in their average each season, but Hook's done more than that.

Agree they look good at home, Batchelor (8.96), Zischke (9.38) & Vuolas (8.74) is a tremendous heat leader trio at home. Will certainly be much stronger at reserve. Not sure if say the team is stronger than this years with Cook & Vissing, replaced by Bowes & Etheridge in the top 5, I don't think the increased reserve strength cancels that out. But the league is weaker than last year, with play-off rivals Poole Oxford & Scunthorpe all weakening, so that's not a dig at the Workington team.