szkocjasid

I agree that Jack Smith thinks he's far better than anyone else does, but he's still better then Max James. So it becomes would Borke & Smith score more than Fredriksen & James?

I can't agree with that argument, Clegg has a 4+ rolling ave under the rules, can't see how anyone can complain when the BSPL follows the rules!

I agree Borke has potential to improve, but I wouldn't have built the team 1.27 below the limit. Say if using Borke, then choose Jack Smith over Max James for example? Would also pick Gilkes over Fredriksen or Borke.

Guess I'm the only one who doesn't rate Redcar then? Don't think they are bad, just think others look stronger. Could all change if Bailey & Edwards make a big improvement.

Of the completed sides: Poole Scunthorpe Oxford Glasgow Redcar Plymouth Think Oxford would have been massive favourites had they chosen someone like Rowe instead of Heeps. But think their tail will be too long away from home. Poole's top 4 will be their strength. With Glasgow having 4 of last year's reserves, the second string berths could be their downfall (although Pearson & Starke are riders who could put points on their averages), but should have 2 decent reserves. Scunthorpe must have the best top 5 in the league.

Interesting that some would be disappointed using a 4.57 Fredriksen when they have 5.27 left, but others would take a 4.00 Borke.

My thoughts exactly

Think the last 2 signings are good.

I don't think I read a single comment saying he was coming back, just people suggesting he'd be an option for the team. Gotta go for Vissing imo

Expecting it to be Fredriksen

Because he has never averaged above 4 in the Champ, Leicester want to win the league & there is no age limit in the NDL. Gavin Parr could stand in for Middlesbrough if one of their riders broke down on the way for example.

Because of the points limit, every team will look weak, but I do feel the Belle Vue team looks especially weak. I know they have 2 riders to sign, but think they need a big season from Harry McGurk.

I've not seen that match, so maybe that's why I'm more keen on him than any others. But if a rider did that in my team, I'd be sacking him the next day.

If Celina doesn't ride to her average, then Workington have used up 6 points for a weaker reserve pairing, while other clubs will have only used 4-5 points. So they'd need improvement from Vuolas & Zischke to cover that. It's so hard to know what she'll do, as opinions on her ability differ greatly.

I like the look of the Workington team, BUT it is the sort of team that could get hammered away, especially early on while the new foreigners get used to the UK tracks. But you could say the same for Oxford, their bottom 4 could all score 0 away from home on a bad day! As for Batchelor, if he can get a 7.16 average when he apparently "can't be bothered" think what average he could get if he "can be bothered".

I have to disagree & say there is improvement in all 3 of them, Cook was going great till the crash that injured the photographer, Vissing averaged 7.07 for Glasgow but carrying his Birmingham scores, drops that to 6.24. Batchelor probably had the least improvement in him, but he's shown he's a ok "3rd heat leader" at Oxford & Birmingham, in a weaker league could be a "2nd heat leader".

I think Batchelor is a decent enough signing, average should improve with less top heat leaders about this year. Leaves enough room for Vissing as 3rd heat leader. If the the potential improvement of Vuolas & Zischke comes through, looks a play-off side to me.

Because most team managers don't swap the reserves round. Last year Poole took Ablitt out of heat 8 often & this year Redcar swapped the reserves more once Harrison signed, but apart from that, didn't notice much "swapping round of the reserves" happening.

I think Nielsen would be a bigger gamble, if his average drops to 3.00, far less alternatives available. Thomsen can't drop below 4.00, so I don't see that as a gamble really, if he's awful can sign another 4.00 rider (& repeat till 75% of the fixtures are raced) or even Nielsen then.

It's a big step up for Hodder, but he has shown massive improvement in his 2 NL seasons so far. I just hope all the 2.00 reserves are at 7, so they get more races against each other.

Schlein would have been a good signing, but not now they are looking for heat leaders.

Because he let his British clubs down last year by missing matches? Plus was poor away from home for a former world champion.

That's a fair argument. If Redcar get a big improvement from those 2, expect them to be in the play-offs

As others have said, can't see that happening, Workington have plenty of points to play with so won't be looking for a reserve imo

I'm surprised by some comments saying Mountain is weak / needs to step up this year etc. Don't forget Mountain is being signed as the weaker second string, while he & Scunthorpe will hope he improves, I don't think the team will depend on him to have a decent season. As a number 5 (5th highest average) Mountain is the strongest in the league, with a better average than "number 4s" at every track bar Poole. The more I think of it Lambert & Mountain could be the strongest second string pair in the league? Although Workington's duo have the "potential" to challenge that.