szkocjasid

If the options are Hagon & Starke or Thomsen & Foord, who would you want? Thomsen & Foord for me. Unless they've signed a great 5 point rider instead of Hagon?

This was a very silly question, obviously there is a point to heat 15. Had the title been, is heat 15 fair to strength in depth clubs? Then that could've been a better post for suggestions / opinions?

I'd suggest RS picks should be riders "too good" for the NDL. But still not ready to step up to the Prem fully.

Poole could fit in a strong team with Foord in it (Lawson, Kerr, Z Cook, Rowe, Thomsen, Foord, 2.00 reserve) they wouldn't have to drop him, so it's not really a case of "they had to drop someone". With Brennan & B Cook gone, didn't have to drop anyone else. But whoever gets Foord will be please with his scoring imo, think Workington would suit him well.

I would go half way between these ideas. 10 years with a club = a testimonial, but doesn't have to be 10 in succession. Then a 25 year testimonial. A farewell meeting if they've ridden for 20 seasons?

Can't understand why Poole would let Foord go, he'd be a good signing for Workington.

Which is no more clubs than Chris Harris in recent years, he's very popular with fans at every club yet gets dropped or moves on almost every year.

They don't have to, could just build the team with more strength in depth, use the spare points not used on Cook for a stronger number 7 than McGurk or another 2.00 rider.

If Harrison is in the top 5 can't see him putting 2 points on his average, like @scunny1 said steady progress would be a good season. But if the Kennedy's are at reserve, could mean Luke & Zaine swapping positions each month.

That looks a really good team, especially with some clubs rumoured to have weaker reserve pairings.

These days more often than not an 8.5 rider is a number one.

I know lots of people say Monarchs need to improve, pick a better team etc after a few disappointing seasons, but they finished above the 40 limit, so need to weaken the side (statistically) for next season.

With Lynn always having a strong reserve, means Boughen may only get 3 rides quite often. If save his 4th ride for heat 14 every match, then if the match (& BP) is decided give him a fourth outing, otherwise make a reserve change. Unless of course he's outperforming the number 6, but that isn't likely. How ruthless will the Lynn TM be?

I would say Schroeck is terrible, worse than Ermolenko imo. Both Oxford teams could have been stronger but they didn't use up their available points. Look at Poole & Belle Vue, both dropped reserves to try & strengthen up, didn't matter that they were already safe in a play-offs position. Winning mentality at those clubs.

Actually you're incorrect. We get the same mistake rolled out by posters every year.

No chance it was a random draw. I think it should be. The BSN is already regionalised. Also means there's less chance of a local derby for the final, although Oxford & Poole managed to miss each other this year.

Brilliant idea! That way they can use the same guests throughout the competition (unless replacing their own riders, racing for the opposition).

Schlein would be 5.39 (converted Champ ave) although it's kinda irrelevant. Birmingham will probably be miles under the limit, so won't have to worry about averages. The likes of Zagar, who I think would drop his average, would still be on my list of worthwhile signings, because they don't have many options. Need to sign the best 6 left available.

You don't actually have to win any races away from home to become Champions. Not that if expect anyone other than Ipswich to win the league. But that doesn't mean they can't have a successful season (top 4 spot). Obviously heats 13 & 15 will be tough, but it's not like Lynn will lose a 5-1 in every 13 & 15.

Nope, Cook will be at 1. It's happened a few times before, any reductions count for both team building & riding order.

Still think it should have been later in the season, for example hold the British semi final, British final & Championship riders Championship on the same days as the Polish Final (it's over 3 rounds). Won't be any clashes with Polish fixtures on these days.

I notice they didn't announce Ben Cook as their "new number one" maybe thought people wouldn't praise the signing as much knowing he's at 1?

I honestly don't think they look that far ahead. Max Perry for example wouldn't have had a team if they didn't change the rules after most teams were complete. This shouldn't need to happen if they planned ahead better!

Totally agree, if you're good enough to be racing against Doyle, Sayfutdinov, Bewley etc surely you're too good to compete against Mark Parker & Jack Shimelt etc al

I'm not as confident as you, but glad the team looks better than in recent years.