pointsmeanplayoffs

A little worried our top 2 might be somewhat jet-lagged for our first home meeting versus Lakeside. Doubt they will be home from NZ until late on the Monday at the earliest. Probably why on twitter the other day, the riders were banging on about having a coffee/red-bull machine installed in the changing rooms : ) Not too worried about the lack of meetings until April 9, I'm sure Buster will have the track ready for our boys for testing/practice whenever they need it in the run up to the season. Does anyone know if the Danish lads are having a practice at the NA in March like they have done recently? Might book the day off work if so and have a wander down with my 1MB camera phone.

Tell that to Niels! Winning the final gives confidence. As soon as he won in Terenzano, there was no stopping him! I think only Jarek outscored him after that.

Has no-one mentioned that the current system of heat pairings is also 'uneven' when it comes to calculating a CMA? If you look at the average combined CMA of opposition riders for say A. Racer riding at No. 2, he will come across opponents with a somewhat higher average combined CMA than if A. Racer was riding at No. 7. It's why when a reserve steps up to the main body of the team - usually at No.2 or No. 4, then they find it a lot harder to score points. Just saying that the current system isn't exactly perfect, so why should we expect the new system to be so?

Interesting signing by Poole. The difference between Milik and Lebedevs is that I bet MF will ensure that Milik has top equipment which sadly Lebedevs never had at King's Lynn last season which is why we never saw his true potential.

I would imagine Poole are keeping quiet until the rules around rider order/heat formats/tactical rides etc are confirmed before they name their team. After all, how can you attempt to bend/break the rules until you know them?!?

From last Thursday, I recall Buster and Rob saying your No.1 has to be the highest av. rider (obviously?!?). Whilst the complete heat/line-up format was TBC they did say; 1 and 5's would ride against each other TWICE before the nominated heat 15, (meaning the 1 and 5's could race each other 3 times overall which I would not object to in all honesty but then we do have 2 GP riders). The draft reserves are to be 'protected' in as much as they have two rides where it's 6 and 7 vs 6 and 7, with their other 2 programmed rides to be only against either a reserve or a second string. The only way to ensure this would be the case is to 'lock-in' the riding positions of the second string to only positions 2 and 4. Yes, this would restrict the amount of changes a team manager could make to a line-up, but if not, they could just name there heat leaders in positions 2 and 4 just to beat the 'draft reserves' which would go against the very idea of bringing in these young riders?!? Anyone who thinks otherwise is really not on the right page and has completely missed the point about bring young riders through. So I the promoters just need to agree on; Highest Av. at No.1 Next 2 heat leaders at 3 or 5 Second String at 2 or 4 Draft reserves at 6 and 7 Then they can finalise the heat format, c'mon it's not hard?!?!

But he cannot be named in any team until April, any side he is to sign for will have name a 3 point riders in their 1-5 in their initial declaration who will step aside when Lambert becomes available. Anyway, the most important name on our 2014 teamsheet is Niels-Kristian Iversen.

There are too many unknowns and a lot is dependent on young Lambert. Is there a chance that he could be added to the 'draft shortlist' when he turns 16? If so, that massively changes the potential make up of any team lucky enough to sign him up! We've all discussed what any team WITH Lambert could look like, but have we considered what a 1-5 without him could be? I'm assuming these guys will be in the 1-5.... (at least I bl00dy hope they are!) Niels 9.12 Rory 6.84 Porsing 3.51 which could leave room for our asset Kevin Wolbert on 5.04 and then another 7.51 for the 3rd heat leader; Larsen 7.26? Sundstrom 7.22? But then that bags the question why did we not keep Mads?

Larsen was one of the riders of the season before his injury, cannot believe he's not been snapped up yet. Seems like he's been forgotten. Tai, Ty, Kenni,Wells would leave 4.41 for a 5th rider?

To be honest I don't care where he lives, his speedway home is the Norfolk Arena : ) Buzzing for tonight, hope to feel as positive afterwards as I did after last seasons team announcement. According to his twitter feed, Kenneth is off to Lezsno for a few days so unless this is a 'whopper' to get people of the scent, he's not going to be there this evening but that doesn't mean he hasn't signed for us in 2014.

Thanks for clarifying the timings/detail of the Gollob affair. 3 riders at Cardiff (inc. the World Champion) should mean a 40,000 strong crowd : )

You're right, instead of offering a reasoned opinion on Bomber's inclusion in the 2014 SGP series I should have just cheered!! Anyway of course he deserves his pick, after all he was the 4th best rider in his Elite League side last season : )

I remember Bjerre in 2011, he was a metronome at home. Gate and win, gate and win etc etc Only in the play-offs did he he fail to meet expectations. A top 3 of Niels, Rooboy and Bjerre?!? Are you kidding me?!? SNAP. YOUR. HAND. OFF.

I agree! The fact that Gollob was offered a spot as an organizers pick which he has now refused means that BSI could in theory have picked ANYONE to replace him. If Emil withdraws, it would be different, as he qualified for 2014 SGP series and so the next best qualifier - i.e Harris or now Troy should take his place. As happy as I am that Bomber being picked means we will have 3 BRITS at Cardiff, he has to be the luckiest rider around to get a pick. I am surprised BSI never opted for MJJ or Dudek as both are young riders with bags of talent/potential. I hope Bomber grabs this chance with both hands and gains a top 8 finish.

Shame Mads couldn't be fitted in to the Stars 2014 line up, I'll be making a few trips across to Leicester to watch him no doubt. Anything less than a top 3 of Niels, Kenny B and Rooboy will leave me a little disappointed come Thursday night!!!! Not heard many other riders linked with us and it's now apparent we're going to go with top-heavy line up.

Rosco said a while ago he wants Mads back, and I think if he stays another season with us then we have to buy him?. All in all, and it really pains me to say this, but I don't think Mads will be a Stars rider in 2014. I hope I'm wrong. Iversen, Bjerre, Schlein as a top 3 would cheer me up though. 3 heat leaders, 2 'reserves', and 2 draft picks - is this the best structure for teams in 2014?

Just seen on twitter the team is being presented on the 12th at the Walks.......

It does appear (for the non-EL assets Kerr, Newman, Ellis and Morris), that any consideration given to a rider's location when making selections will be discretionary. The statement reads quite clearly that selections will based upon a riders rankings and a clubs seeding. Such ambiguity, as we all know, is why our sport is where it is. Now one of the brightest young talents our country has seen a while has pulled out of the 'fast-track' scheme.

Good article on the Swindon Advertiser website; http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/sport/speedway/10842847.Ritchings_and_Reade_on_young_rider_list/ Looks like the teams who have invested in youth rider development over the years instead of just splashing big cash on bring over riders from Europe are getting shafted. Only one protected pick and only in the first round?. Young local riders who have been riding for their local clubs should surely get to ride for their own club in the 'big league' should they wish to?

Think Wolves have pulled a master stroke in booking N1iels for tonight. A very strong top 2 for Wolves should be enough for them to secure a narrow lead to defend at Perry Barr. I don't think Brummies are such clear favourites.

Looks like we'll carry on fighting this season, both on the track AND in the courts! Buster clearly unimpressed with the 'Kozza' ruling. Could be what the sport needs. FIGHT THE POWER!

I have no complaints as to who was bought in as replacements for INJ riders. Perhaps we waiting too long to replace riders and operated R/R too often but I can't think this was due to a lack of effort in finding a replacement from Buster and Rob. Unlike some clubs, we are run as a business, and a business has to break-even. Any fool with a chequebook can go out and sign world famous riders who demand "telephone number" salaries. I don't blame Buster for not wanting to follow this unsustainable trend. We ride on Wednesday's too which doesn't help as there are many clashes with other leagues.

With our play-off chances all but over, I doubt Buster and Rob will be breaking the bank to bring in any 'big' names like ex-GP rider Ljung. Probably be Nermark IMO. Rather we bring in Lewis Kerr and give him some EL experience to be honest in preparation for next season.

But you could buy Monster from the Pit-Stop Cafe for just £2.50 a can when you got inside! Seriously, it's not surprising is it? If people took free cans in with them, then they'd take a massive hit on drink sales in the bar/cafe. I don't blame them, it happens at Cardiff too.

Never mind a third heat leader, we need a second heat leader!! Perhaps that's a little harsh on Rooboy but he's not reached the levels we and he I'm sure too, expected this season. I'm sure he'll improve though and will be crucial to our play-off push. We're not the same team without Mads. If he's out for longer than expected, then a swift move for a 7pt man would be very smart IMO. I would love it if we signed a rider of the calibre of MJJ but let's not bankrupt Buster : )