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The bigger picture is how long this will take and what the real motivation of the EOES owners really is. Something stinks here

I'm not as worried about PK because I believe wright and bewley will occupy the top 3 alongside Brady. PK will be a 2nd string. That's quite a big statement I know.

Kind words. Thanks. There is collective improvement across the team, individually that may may move a bit and my reservation is with Kurtz. Still don't think he's realised his full potential and the travel isn't going to help him. The team is lacking a clear number 1 but it's well balanced and alongside Swindon I see the the top 2 teams in the division.

You could use the same search for many other riders. Being selective doesn’t prove your point. We disagree. Move on. For the record btw, I’ve just watched the clip and again, I don’t see what he does wrong. That is not crossing a line that is going for a gap and taking an opportunity.

Niki is just a tough rider. We live in a society today where everyone has to have a scapegoat. A victim. Someone to blame. Someone to slag off. Those people lack the ability to be objective.

Sorry, but I disagree entirely. 1 or 2 isolated incidents have tarnished his reputation. That hasn’t happened to other riders when they have done similar. Imo it smacks of double standards and most likely jealousy from those within for a man who is, let’s not forget, triple world champion.

Whilst watching those videos I mentioned last night, I went through the 80s and 90s as well, man some of those moves! Especially in the GPS in the mid to late 90s. Some of the riders today wouldn’t have lasted a second. They’d have been throwing toys out all over the shop.

Niki is no worse than a number of riders and it’s the snowflake brigade that have given him a bad press. I’ll admit there have been occasions where he stepped over the line, but many riders are guilty of that. I was watching some old speedway clips on YouTube last night, started off in the 70s with some world finals etc and ended up on a heat from the 2015 Toruń GP, just popped up in my recommendation feed. If anyone recalls that particular race, which included Kasprazak, you’ll know exactly where I’m coming from. He did absolutely nothing wrong and was excluded. Those situations in the past impact peoples judgments today but many many riders have been just as guilty of some tough moves but not a peep gets said. Here is another unpopular opinion. A man who gets away with moves very similar to NP, and that man is Jason Doyle. And when I say gets away, I don’t infer that he’s doing anything wrong JD is just a tough rider, but when he pulls off the moves he does not a word can be heard. Those 2 have a lot of respect for each other and I don’t think it’s a coincidence, but one is treated differently to the other.

I think people forget that he’s the British champion. He slips under the radar Charles, he’s improving YOY and in this country is a very good rider. His personal circumstances will also be much better, less travel for a kick off. He’s always wanted to ride for BV but for whatever reason it’s never been able to come together. Every single one of that BV team, expect potentially Kurtz who will need time to settle, will increase their starting average. That is always a recipe for success.

I’ll bet my last dollar that Charles puts at least half a point on that average. In the UK he is excellent and I find it somewhat perplexing that we have people who believe that the current British Champion, yes that’s right, can’t increase what is a pretty low starting number gained whilst riding as either a number 1 or 5. When people use the term underrated, I often think it’s banded around too easily, but in Charles case it’s very apt. He will be the 3rd heat leader in this team and I’ll go so far as to stick my nose out and say Charles will be challenging for the number 1 race jacket. Everything stacks up for him this season. He’s at his home town club and lives a stones throw away. A nice set of circumstances and given his family history with the club, I expect we will see a very settled and very driven Charles Wright this season.

Jack comes off as a bit of an idiot tbh. He’s had his fair share of run ins and even fell out with Bickley on the track last season. When situations occur on a fairly regular basis and you end up with no team, then there is generally something wrong aside from just bad luck. I think he needs to sit down, look at his mentality and then go again.

It’s akin to dads army. It will be knocking on the door of the play offs of that I’m certain and Peterborough will have a much better season than last. There are however, better teams in the division imo.

They are, but then I didn’t suggest they were. As above, I was pointing out that the odds are in line with my own expectations Both could be wrong.

Why the bitterness? Betting markets are often wrong, I was merely pointing out that the bookmakers share a similar viewpoint to me. Its not a competition.

Belle Vue odds on as well. Like I said there is nothing between BV and Swindon as it currently stands and that’s reflected in the market.

I think that is a very minimalistic view point, but you are not alone on this forum with such a thought process. People talk. No matter the proffesion or the level, that is human nature. The main point here is that Sheffield will surely be aware and if they have invested so much money, on the back of a sponsor, for a definitely maybe then that is risky business. Especially when you consider the lack of number ones and that Bjerre will likely go to Peterborough.

Some people move in different circles to the ones others do, you shouldn’t judge others by your standards. I also said if. I personally don’t have a clue but I trust a man that does, and he’s posted not too long ago on this thread.

If Pedersen does leave then Sheffield have a problem in terms of replacing him. They must have something lined up. If they know this is a temp deal then they’d be stupid to not have a contingency. Bjerre will end up at either of there or Peterborough if Iversen does the same as Niki. I have to say it bothers me that this type of conversation happens. They have committed to the league and should see out a full season. What makes you think they’ll go?

Well that’s a turn of events, but certainly makes a lot more sense.

Peterborough look a bit dads army for me. Agree there is big potential but it’s only that, and I think the reason for it looking like potential is their age. Perhaps those averages are accurate given the stages of their careers? That said it’s a still a team which challenge for the play offs

KL haven't a hope in my eyes. It's far too predictable and will struggle for points away. As ever a team which will be strong at home but I fear that won't be enough. Swindon, Belle Vue and Sheffield really stand out for me. All those teams have good heat leaders and strong 2nd strings. Swindon and Belle Vue have the edge with better reserves. It's then a choice between wolves and Peterborough for the final spot imo. King's Lynn and Ipswich in a fight for the spoon. Will be a good league regardless and nice to see some names back who will put bums on seats.

It does and I think the loss of BWD will be big for this Peterborough team. That said there is certainly a lot of scope across the team to improve starting averages and that is always a good thing. Not sure which way to go. It has the look of a team that will either fall flat on its face or be right in the mix. That sounds like a stupid statement but I think the potential improvement is what makes me think like that. If it happens then Peterborough are going to have a very good season.

Terrible news for BWD and Peterborough My opinion now has gone from liking the look of the panthers, it seemed like a tidy team, to looking like a reasonable team at best. Assuming it’s Oster and Scott that is.

Well that is somewhat surprising reading that Seth still has a year in school. My understanding was that he was coming over this year. Makes Jason’s decision even more intriguing actually, he’s upping sticks again well away from family to race. He must certainly be keen for this and makes it purely a racing decision rather than a family one. Good luck to him.

So with pretty much everything done now, this is how I see it Swindon Belle Vue/Peterborough Peterborough/Belle Vue Sheffield Kings lynn/Wolves wolves/kings lynn Ipswich