szkocjasid

Clubs only had to fit in 8 home league matches, so I wouldn't say the cut-off point was too early. I'm sure the plan would be for clubs to race their 4 play-off matches over the first 3 weeks of September so the final can be on the last week of September / first week of October?

1) I hope Ben is ok. 2) if he's not 100% fit, can sit out Friday's match safe in the knowledge Poole will be able to score 29+ points without him.

I'm actually surprised I haven't read more about Bewley's poor scoring. I don't think anyone would have expected his average to drop. Maybe because Belle Vue are top of the league, no-one is much concerned about him. Truth be told it only really matters that he's on song come the play-offs.

If they were going to make a change needed to sign a 5.01+ rider for Andersen when Terasanko arrived (to put him at reserve) now they've missed out on that, may as well just stick with what they've got imo

Surely you're not suggesting the club or riders purposely try and drop their averages for next season, cheat basically?

Should have run the British final on a Sunday, the same day as the Polish final, guarantees no Polish fixtures that day & should be able to get a full field, including Woffy & Lambert ideally!

Have to disagree with your Doyle / King swap suggestion. As Doyle is one of the top riders in the world you want him in heat 13 getting 5-1s with Emil, not beating a reserve in heat 12 (which King should be able to do). So while you might gain 1 point in heat 12, you'd probably drop 2 in heat 13. Now the play-offs are gone keeping Riss is gonna give him a nice low average for 2024, potentially coming back as reserve?

This year 2nd is the same as 6th, so finishing "outside of the top 3" doesn't really mean anything, unless you are 7th - 9th (which Glasgow won't be). I honestly don't know if there's a 4.00 rider out there who will score more than Complin, I think I'd stick & back the lads to come good. Don't forget losing away to the top teams won't cost them the league - unless it's big defeats in the play-offs.

Glasgow must be disappointed with yesterday's result, Oxford weakens but could take advantage. I expect the Tigers to be near the top of most competitions, but can't see them beating the top clubs over 2 legs as it stands. Gotta give Oxford lots of credit too, twice now they've lost Kerr (Schlein) during a match but still won.

Think you're being a bit too harsh on their team selection. All of Glasgow's top 5 have upped their averages, so who would you replace to start with a stronger reserve? Pre-season I thought Complin was worth a go, obviously he's not hit the form anyone is wanting. Ace is also doing his job, so don't agree with suggestions I've read that it was a year too soon to step up. While Heeps did well at reserve, don't forget he's in that position because Akins has gone from a 2.0 to a 5.5 rider this season, who would have anticipated that? If that was Pijper, Vissing could have dropped to reserve, ditto any team with a 2.00 rider!

Stefan Nielsen seemed unlucky to only get 3 rides, was the team manager too quick to drop him for a tac sub? One thing about dropping a second string is, if they come good (as happened) you've lost them a race, replace a reserve & they can still take multiple races later.

Oxford 48-42 Glasgow

Birmingham 43-47 Poole

I'd agree that the 3 teams you've named ate favourites, but I wouldn't say Redcar have no chance

Adam Roynon

That's why I've included him, although probably still would even if it wasn't at Wroclaw

Am of course refering to the times someone guesting could knock their own team out of a tournament (which I'm sure you know)! It would make far less sense for an Berwick, Edinburgh or Plymouth rider to guest for the Brummies!

Or Connor Bailey passing Dan Thompson up the inside to win the U-21s

King riding as a guest makes sense, a Birmingham win helps Redcar's hopes of finishing top!

If they have any play-off aspirations Birmingham really need to win this one. But Poole rarely lose & can't see it happening on Wednesday.

My thoughts exactly, Connor winning yesterday didn't "prove" anything to the Glasgow promotion, they already knew he is good around Ashfield & I'm sure they are delighted for him. His away form will be the reason he was let go.

Not necessarily, Mountain got a 5-1 in heat 2, but never met a serve again! Would Andersen definitely have beaten a top 5 Wolves rider?

Same as an away team, win the super heat, same points as a win. Personally don't see anything wrong with draws, but the scoring is the same home or away.

But you can't just drop a rider & say you're gonna go with guests instead

But as soon as one rider has a crash without a helmet on, look at the insurance rates double!