SomersetBlue

Well yeah there are 17 riders who averaged over him other than the other 3 but I think realistically he can beat most of them. As I said last season was his first season in British Speedway and personally I think he can improve again.

Other than Wright, Cook and Masters I would say Becker could mix it with pretty much any other rider in the league tbh.

I think he can tbh in his first season on these shores he was getting double figure scores in the top tier and while some people say the two are close the Premiership is still a fair better standard of quality than the Championship. I'm really excited about this signing. Strong heat 13 partnership too with Schlein riding together week in week out. A strong middle order with Barker/ Bates Rowe improved a lot last season and Cook looked a decent little rider too. With the right equipment Stoneman should mix it with the other reserves as well. I think we could be in for a good season.

Any news yet? I trust May but he certainly has a job on his hand.

1. Redcar - strong top 5 especially the top 3, if the reserves show improvement they definitely look strong. 2. Leicester - very strong top 5 but I don't think the reserves are the strongest 3. Eastbourne - will be strong at home and will take some points away from home. 4. Somerset - bit of bias but the side is better than people think with improvement in there. 5. Poole - top 3 is good but with 2 new Aussies who will take time to adjust and imo not the strongest engine room they just miss out. 6. Glasgow - Cook is the strongest in the league but Wells/Ostergaard/Sedgmen isn't a great top end, improvement from the lower end but not enough. 7. Birmingham - stronger than last season but still not enough to challenge for play offs. 8. Scunthorpe - hit by the sad loss to Danny Ayres {R.I.P} solid depth but I don't think strong enough. 9. Edinburgh - two new riders in the main body and I don't see a lot of improvement at reserve. 10. Berwick - Doolan leaves a big gap imo. I hope the reserves do well but big shoes to fill. 11. Kent - an ok side but not as strong as other sides 12. Newcastle - at least they have speedway this season but all in all a poor side

1. Poole 2. Redcar 3. Leicester 4. Somerset 5. Eastbourne 6. Birmingham 7. Glasgow 8. Edinburgh 9. Berwick 10. Scunthorpe 11. Kent 12. Newcastle

Yep totally agree it's just not as appealing as it once was and I think more emphasis goes into the bar than the actual Speedway. Even the racing isn't as good as it once was. I don't go a lot anymore because I live and work in the Midlands and don't drive atm so it's hard. When I do go though it's not the same yes partly because my Uncle (big steve) passing away which makes it hard but also because the atmosphere is just so dull. There just seems no upgrade to the stadium at all like as someone said toilets on the third bend would be great, something for the kids even if it's like a sweet stall. We haven't got a big catchment area so we have to try and entice people from the likes of Exeter, Bristol etc and younger people too.

Disagree to an extent, Bradders isn't a number 1 he is exciting and a good guy though. Barker and Bates are capable of raising their averages tbf though. Bates given a full season could attain a 7.00 average and Barker could be a high 7.00 rider. Rowe could improve too as he did last season although i'm gutted to see him at no. 2. Also I can see plenty of teams weaker than this one tbh nearly every team so far bar possibly Eastbourne and Birmingham look weaker than they did last season.

Don't get me wrong i'm happy to see Bradders back again as he is entertaining and a nice guy but starting with a massive average like that, is it 8.75? and Rowe starting in the main body. An Aussie 4.00 at reserve for sure now Kennedy, McDonald or Zach Cook.

Next rider is tomorrow at 8am sounds a biggie too.

I like Bradders but would he average that? Who knows, wouldn't like to be in Mays shoes.

Vissing no thanks after his last stint as a Rebel he was awful.

Didn't realise that shame as a very talented rider. I'll stick with Ellis, Mountain and Stoneman. A team filled with Brits and plenty of riders who can improve their averages. Schlein albeit not my favourite all time Rebel can hold his own when he was wants. Mountain and Rowe progressing very nicely and could easily be high 5 point averages. Stoneman would be a weak link but with a strong reserve partner can progress at his own rate. Bates and Barker may have their faults but both could attain high seven averages and bring entertainment to the OTA which by the by we lacked a little in last seasons team. Ellis being the cog with a bargain average if i'm right and gets a 2 5% drop that's 7.80 for a rider who could easily reach 9.00. I'm probably wrong though as usual although they are available.

Yes I totally agree Covatti and Ellis would have been so much better than Barker or Bellego as some have said. What average would Bellego be? Tbf though would still be the strongest side I've seen yet. Another name into the hat although the team would face a rejigle is Rasmus Jensen with Cook and Wells at Glasgow having Jensen would be too top heavy but obviously means Rowe in the main body and weaker reserves.

Adam Ellis, Connor Mountain and Nathan Stoneman for me. As much as I like Covatti and would love to see him back as a second heat leader I do question it. We still need a solid 1-5 whilst starting Rowe at reserve. I think Covatti will be at Poole anyway. Same with Zach Cook he looked good but means no Roww at reserve.