szkocjasid

Very solid top 5, but I'd probably try & strengthen at reserve. Replace Vissing & Coles with Fredriksen & Ablitt or a new 5.00 foreigner?

Because they were above the points limit. Not easy to strengthen up in that scenario. While they are weaker, I don't see any of the riders picked being particularly bad choices.

I noticed the Workington post announced the signing of Etheridge as having a "false average" I'd disagree with that, he has that average for a reason. But he certainly has the potential to improve that figure, even if it's only by a little, still a good signing, as I expect the improvement to come elsewhere in the team Zischke/ Vuolas / Foord.

To be fair there's not many 2 pointers who i'd expect to excell next season (apart from Cairns). Think they all may end up a similar standard. I'd say Jody Scott & Max James are two of the more promising ones, but there's not a lot in it. Hard to say if there's better options than Perry when you don't know who else has signed up 2 point reserves. Glasgow will likely miss a high scoring reserve, but their top 5 could almost do enough on their own.

I'm not disagreeing, I'd say Boughen does sound like a weak number 3, just pointing out that other clubs may also have weaker number 3s too.

Maybe there's no background story to that, just someone trying to think of possible signings?

My biggest complaint is making a prediction (for fun) and being told rider A, B or C isn't available for this or that club, to which I reply "they haven't been announced yet" - which gets the response - that doesn't matter, they've already signed, it's like I'm basically being told I'm not allowed to make predictions with certain riders because someone has told me there going elsewhere?

Vuolas would be a good signing of Brummies build to the points limit, but if they're under like last year, no point signing a 4 point reserve.

I think I'd go with a 2 point rider at reserve, means they'll always have a strong reserve partner. Kyle Newman, Lasse Fredriksen or Nathan Ablitt would be my preferences for the other spot.

Depends how the opposition run their team, for example Berwick, Edinburgh, Oxford, Redcar, Scunthorpe & possibly you could argue Workington too ran with a stronger number 4 & a weaker number 3 last year. Personally I'd put the weakest top 5 rider at 2. I do sometimes wonder why clubs don't switch around the riding order more often depending on their opponents or with track specialists away from home etc.

I'll have to disagree with the idea behind this comment "you could easily set it up so Leon had an easier role" Flint has a 6.85 average, which is 3rd heat leader standard in the current Championship era, if I felt I had to set up the riding order to give a "3rd heat leader" an easier ride then I'd have to question why he's in the team. I'd suggest, it should be Boughen who gets the easier role, a 17 year old in only his second full year in the Champ.

Not sure why Boughen has been removed from the Oxford team, they announced him weeks ago & as far as I'm aware haven't retracted that. I wouldn't remove a rider because we've all heard rumours about him leaving.

Good news for Glasgow getting an U21 qualifier, especially for those fans who say the fixture list is too empty (about 95% of fans tbh)

Oxford can still be stronger than last year, even if they don't sign a top heat leader. As long as they find a 6.5+ rider, they've strengthened on Harris at the top of the team. Then if they have got Schlein or someone of a similar ability at 6, that's an improvement on the Kerr / Kemp / Killeen position. Apart from that it's Killeen for Boughen, which does weaken them imo. *I know Killeen rode with Boughen for a few weeks, but I'd say he's effectively replacing Boughen's position this year.

Wrong page

Good signing imo

I'd disagree about his average, he's had half a season in the Champ & averages 4. Compare that to the likes of Perry, James, McGurk & Hodder who couldn't reach the minimum 2.00 average, just shows how successful Vinnie was. Can only expect him to build on that for Workington in 25.

Poole could fit him in, just decided to go another way with team building. Can see him greatly improving, Poole's loss is Workington's gain.

I have to agree it doesn't look a bad team, but the fact it's clearly weaker than this years team, probably makes it look worse than it is. Especially with Ipswich getting stronger.

I hope you're correct, but I find it hard to believe.

How about? Troy Batchelor 8.46 Tate Zischke 6.96 Annti Vuolas 6.40 Thomas Jorgensen 6.39 Sam Hagon 4.73 Vinnie Foord 3.90 Ben Trigger 3.00 Total 39.84

With less fixtures in the Champ these days, should be easier to plan around Polish League matches. Plus Redcar have the option of putting in Middlesbrough NDL matches on when Wright & Riss aren't available.

I remember that well, I was adamant he'd start at reserve, but many didn't believe me.

Riss didn't want to ride in the Champ last year due to overseas commitments, had something changed or are people just hoping he'll come back to Redcar?

Charles Wright 8.37 Erik Riss 8.32 Danny King 7.88 Jason Edwards 6.18 Jake Mulford 4.27 Ace Pijper 2.93 Tom Spencer 2.00 Total 39.95 Would be weaker reserves with that top 3.