szkocjasid

I've often thought if one rider causes a stoppage the referee should ask the opposition team manager if they want a re-run? Fairest way to do it! There would be no room for gamesmanship as it wouldn't even matter if the ref thought the rider could have got up or not! If you're holding a 5-1, you'd want it awarded. If you're on a 3-3 you'd want a re-run. On a 4-2, then you've got a decision to make.

I'm sure Josh will ride where he wants to ride (proving he's wanted) just saying he shouldn't be "blocked" from returning to Lynn. Although last time he had a good season for Sheffield he was dropped because he upped his average (one of Speedway's faults) what's to say that won't happen again? Wouldn't happen at Lynn as they need all the heat leaders they can get lol!

They'll never get the 1,000 crowds that have been talked about. My thoughts are if they're only getting 300-500, hopefully now they'll get 350-550?

Joe T was scoring well at Scunny in the number 7 spot. I don't know if it's psychological or harder races (or both) but he's been much worse at number 6 for Birmingham. While moving him to 7 might earn him extra points, it also means Hagon will struggle to score much at all. While you say Hagon isn't too here to score points, he's got pretty much the same ave as Pearson in the NL, so they shouldn't really lose any points at reserve. Not sure about Ablitt blossoming now, he's had a couple of decent scores but then was repeatedly beaten by Trigger at home. Agree with your comments about Pearson, he has improved - but not by the amount Birmingham were hoping for. I've read comments like "he wouldn't have been dropped while Rodgers was in charge" & I think - I know, that's why they keep losing lol!

My exact same thought, has to be stronger than Plymouth at least

If they've been getting very poor crowds it must be easier to bring in more fans though?

Birmingham have been developing a Belle Vue asset. If he isn't doing enough to help the Brummies win, worth trying someone else imo

Not that Sheffield have done anything underhand, but everyone has to agree they are massively strengthened by Bellego being missing & not having his new average yet. But that's how Speedway works at times, injuries can make teams stronger, great when it's your team, horrible when it's the opponent's.

You'd imagine the management committee would have no issue with approving Pickering coming back, as he was clearly injured when being dropped & wasn't some ploy to navigate averages etc

Rising star aves from 2023 league meetings: Dan Thompson is pretty much half way up the rankings & far stronger than Joe, so should help Ipswich. I'd still have gone with Kemp or Rowe personally. J.Jenkins 4.14 (5.29) D.Kemp 4.00 (5.00) 1 match only D.Gilkes 3.76 (4.47) L.Flint 3.38 (4.21) D.Thompson 3.29 (4.00) J.Edwards 2.74 (3.37) J.Mulford 1.21 (1.67) J.Thompson 1.18 (1.73)

I think most team managers stick to the same riding order no matter what, I see no reason why Morris can't be 5 at home but not away?

One thing I will say is, if Lynn are using the former world champ to beat Sedgmen & the rising star because they don't trust any others to do that - they must be expecting to get thrashed & putting r/r at 2 is their plan to ensure they score 30+ points?

The majority of the times teams run with r/r it's for a second string with the rides mainly being taken up by reserves, putting r/r at 2 in that situation makes sense as your reserve is out with the number one. Not so in this case. Yes my comment was asking why finishing up the r/r rides early would be an advantage?

While Pickering had a poor start to the season, that 2.67 average is only from 2 meetings so don't think that's what you'll get each week. Even so, still an improvement on Bellego's away from.

Then 6 weeks in a row with a home match. Maybe the plan was to be busy heading into the play-offs?

I'll chip in with 1: Morris 2: Dan Thompson 3: H - Sedgemen / A - Batchelor 4: Bowtell 5: H - Batchelor / A - Sedgmen 6: Joe Thompson 7: Hagon

1) Batchelor will score more than the rider he was replacing - doesn't matter that he's not the rider he once was, still an improvement 2) Hagon is similar to Pearson in the NL, but that's not the change to strengthen up, it was to allow a stronger heat leader. They didn't own Pearson so saying they'll never own Hagon is no change. 3) aside from Zmarzlik, probably no rider would put 300-400 on the gate, they've gotta try something though!

Not sure how that would make a difference tbh?

Have to differ to your opinion on that tactic, by using their best rider to cover an easy heat, Lynn will be using their weaker r/r options against stronger Leicester riders, so expecting less points from r/r?

Why would a rider ever be committed to a club when they club can drop them at a moments notice? Loyalty works both ways!

What on earth are Lynn thinking moving r/r to number 2? Means Laguta has to take his extra ride on heat 8 against the "rising star" is that not a waste of your teams best rider (& one of the best in the world)?

Dissapointing for sure, but something Swindon, Somerset, Newcastle & Eastbourne fans would be jealous of!

Hypothetically if a 15 year old attacks the referee because he disagreed with him, are you saying he can't be banned?

His first match was at home to Plymouth (the team with the weakest reserves in the league) so he probably looked better than he actually is. Now he's just showing his usual form, NL heat leader, but struggles in the Champ!

Oxford could have won by more, I was surprised they didn't use a tac sub in heat 6. Masters had already beaten Ross/Flint, so a 5-1 with Nicholls would've put them right back into the match (whilst meaning the reserves taking one less ride) of course it didn't matter in the end! Edit: Unless Berwick can win by 4 or 6 at Oxford lol!