szkocjasid

Yeah thinking the exact same thing

Why are you adamant it wasn't a blunder by Lyon? There's no guarantee Rowe would've gotten a 5-1 in heat 14, but they have to try for it. What if there was an engine failure in the least heat? There's also the bonus point to consider ahead of the second leg.

Ipswich I'm sure will finish top, but could meet Leicester in the semi's

Well I'm going to be miles out & you'll be even further out with your prediction lol!

I'll predict: Belle Vue 51-39 King's Lynn

I'll go for: Ipswich 50 - 40 Leicester

Not sure I agree with using r/r for a 3 pointer in a "development" match?

If have thought Trigger was too good for the MDL? Maybe Tolley was trying to troll the fans by getting Trigger to out his autograph on a napkin for him? But if you continually build the weakest team in whatever division you race in, so that the fans would easily believe you've signed a Champ reserve to replace a Prem heat leader, I'd suggest the joke is on you!

Just seen a picture posted by Nigel Tolley with Ben Trigger (looks to be signing a contract). As Birmingham have already replaced their rising star, surely Trigger isn't the replacement for MJJ is he?

Even if Bowes is due to miss a lot of matches riding in Poland, I wouldn't be in a rush to replace him, they're probably stronger when he's not there. Get a 5.00 guest when he's averaging below that or r/r of Zischke Etheridge & 2 rides from Hook / Foord. Also the longer it takes him to get a new average, the longer Hook stays at reserve, which benefits the team. Speedway can be a strange sport when injuries / missing riders can strengthen a team and there can be no advantage to making replacements when a rider is out for the season.

I don't think there is an obvious rider to put at 1 or 5 for Lynn. The rules make it easy regarding number one, they don't have a choice. Whoever goes at number 5 will look weak in that position. Just need the number 6 to compensate.

You could say the same with the Nora league, it's a training league, it helps tracks stay involved with Speedway, it's giving junior riders more time on the track at a time when the NDL never had fewer fixtures (last season), yet the BSPL / SCB, do their best to stop these events happening, try to ban riders who compete.

Same with Matthew Wethers, loyal to British Speedway for 10+ years, didn't miss matches to ride abroad etc. Average shot up when Newcastle matches were removed, hasn't been signed since, despite apparent lack of riders due to his 6.5 average. If they realise there is a flaw with averages, by all means change the rules for everyone, but can't change the rules just for Boughen.

Doesn't matter if he's injured, taking a break or been dropped for poor form, he's not in a teams 1-7. There was no 28 day signing due to injury, both teams have replaced him. Lynn may want him back, doubt Glasgow would. Anyway, I reckon Nora racing to help him regain confidence / learn how to ride in close contact without shutting off, would be best for him.

Some people say referees should be former riders as they can understand what happened during a race. But this shows a former rider being a referee could never exclude someone, because he'd come up with a reason why they rider wasn't at fault!

It seems like ever since Smith got given a full time place his form's dropped off. Feels like last year impressed with Glasgow at first but flattered to deceive as the season went on.

Gusts scoring 11 points is "rubbish", McDiarmid scoring 6+1 is "rubbish"?

Yes it certainly worked well for Leicester against Belle Vue. I won't say r/r at 5 wouldn't have worked because Leicester were so strong any riding order would've gained a big victory.

Before the match Edinburgh could've been satisfied to score 41, but after being only 4 points down a couple of times, probably feels like they could've done even better. Shows the team has improved, scoring above 41 at one of the title favourites & you feel it could've been more.

I wouldn't call it hindsight, I'd call it planning ahead. Loftus has to go in 12 or 14 (they weren't gonna drop a rider from heat 13). So the choices were Grahn in 12 or Grahn / tac sub in 14! Didn't cost them the match, but could've been closer.

Think the Edinburgh TM, has made a howler giving Grahn his 5th ride in heat 12. Means if the club are 6 points down, can't use a tac sub, or can only replace Castagna with a tac sub. Loftus having to have his 3rd ride. If he put Loftus in heat 12, heat 14 could possibly be Castagna & MPT, if they weren't 6 points down then Grahn gets his 5th ride anyway, no harm done.

Schroeck doing a grand job tonight

I don't know how to say this politely, but if the BSPL don't like it, Boughen can tell them to get stuffed. He doesn't currently have a British team spot, so can do what he likes.

Good idea

I don't think I would have gone with a guest, especially with Oxford having a couple of potent reserves. With everyone except Masters able to take an extra ride, is that stronger than Vuolas? Away at Redcar was probably a lot worse, Sam Hagon getting a guest booking when he had a lower average than every Oxford rider. This time I don't think Vuolas is a bad choice, but would've had faith in my own riders to get the job done. If 5th in the averages is missing, it's a bigger risk in case of injuries, not so much when it's the 3rd heat leader. EDIT, Vuolas is going well after 2 rides, they've picked the correct guest!