PE7Panther

Well maybe, but it'd mean 'wasting' more than 0.6 and I just can't see Ged doing that. My money's on Starke and BW-D

Many (most!) of the riders that have been mentioned over the past umpteen pages are now out of the running for one reason or another. So looking at who's left it seems the Starke + BW-D combo is the most likely. http://www.speedwaygb.co/files/downloads/2017_team_building_numerical.pdf

Ah.... ok. Yep, we're lucky to be able to watch our speedway at the EoES. Is there anywhere better?

New/new-ish...? Been around for a while (since 2007-ish), but post only occasionally - in fits and starts. Tend to get enthused by it - and then interest wanes, mainly due to the incessant schoolyard bickering/point scoring, and the inane drivel that suffocates the interesting stuff. But wild horses wouldn't keep me from the EoES when Panthers are at home

... but surely that'd be wasting a whole point (or very nearly)

Yes, I like the idea of a 'top' No.1 - but it seems I'm not the only one who recalls Kennett blowing hot & cold at our track over the years. However, he would pick up points at most, if not all, the away meetings. Also, a reserve pairing of Wajtknecht + Bacon would be risky. IMHO it's even more important to have a (potential) 'big hitter' at reserve than it is at No.1

oh per-leeez see what happens..... Is Brady Kurtz a runner, or is Poland a factor? And who would fit for the other reserve spot? Bewley/Etheridge? Maybe that would leave us too weak at reserve :-/ Fair enough. What about Wright + BW-D ?

So Panthers have 11.71 left for the final two riders. Starke + Wilson Dean looks like it would fit. Any other combos in the frame?

erm..... shouldn't that be Total: 28.29 Remaining: 11.71

good point! It'd be ok if the likes of jinga-janga didn't keep coming onto this Panthers thread and posting unintelligent wind-ups and inane drivel all the time He calls it 'craic' - as if that makes it acceptable. It's not.

gotta give (KKS) credit where it's due ......

I was hankering after the idea of Bomber at No.1 - but I was just reading on his website that he's committed himself to longtrack next season. And that sounds like it'd mean being unavailable for several Sundays (and/or weekends). Somebody will correct me if I've misunderstood it, otherwise I can't see Ged going down that route. Yep, going purely by my (not so trusty) memory, Kennett has been very hit 'n miss at our track in the past. So if (IF) Ged is planning to have a 'big hitter' No.1, then I'm not so sure that Kennett would be in the same league as, say, Cook/Harris/K.Bjerre. Then again, he's capable of banging in decent scores at most away tracks. J.Holder might be a better bet. It'd give us more points for a reserve who could reasonably be expected to clean up against the calibre of reserves he'll be facing next season. And as somebody already pointed out, that reserve could take 7 rides, whereas a Kennett/Cook at No.1 could only take a max of 5 rides. The argument there is that it's better to have a 'big hitter' at reserve.

ah right, good point. I didn't see that. Leaving aside my hankering after somebody like Harris/Cook (or even K.Bjerre) at No.1, I wouldn't be unhappy with your three. The only question mark would be about the reserve pairing. How did Jacobs perform last season? And what are the alternatives to Jacobs if we do go with Kurtz x2 ?

You say "they would have signed Grondal"; I presume you mean that it would have freed up a few more points for the other two spots? Interesting point.

Hmmm.... and who could fit into that final spot?

That's the sort of combo that crossed my mind. But what averages are Bomber and Morris on? And how many points would be left for the A.N.Other rider.

So if (IF) Panthers were to opt for a 'big hitter' at No.1, who would be in the frame? Cook is the obvious one that springs to mind. Harris and K.Bjerre have also been mentioned. Are any of them still possibilities? Or are they ruled out now due to factors such as riding in Poland, already signed for other teams, can't ride on Sundays, etc? And how many points would Panthers be left with for the other two spots?

Then it'd make them a dimwit of the highest order! Just to be clear, I wasn't actually defending him - just pointing put that he's probably having a laugh at every bite. Surely it doesn't really need pointing out that the sensible thing to do is just ignore it.

Methinks somebody is having a few chuckles at the expense of all those forumistas who bite every time

Oi! Don't you start encouraging it as well.....! Yes, one or two of the earlier posts with plays on riders' names were quite amusing - at first. But some people never know when to stop and the "humour" rapidly wears off. We all appreciate a witty comment, but the 'General Discussions' section is the correct place for jokes, inane chit-chat etc. This is supposed to be about Panthers 2017 - and it's a pain in the ar5e to have to scroll through page after page of dross to get to something that's actually about Panthers. Fans of other teams are always welcome IF they have something constructive or interesting to say. But it's obvious that some only come on here to have barely concealed pops at Panthers and/or at Panthers fans. The worst culprits are the ones who bang on and on and on about the same old things. And then if anybody objects they hide behind the "it's just banter" excuse. Banter my ar5e! Hmmm.... that's an interesting thought Is there (still) a 'paperwork' issue with having riders from Oz? Maybe BCD can enlighten us.......

I would say the exact opposite; there's not much to read at all. The guessing game is always mildly interesting during the winter lull. But sadly it just gives dimwits an opportunity to display just how dim their wit is. And the usual snidey Panther-bashing is never far from the surface

true enough.

MacBlarney wouldn't shell out for the wages of the Turkish Messi, let alone the real one! They only "cared" insofar as they got enthusiastic about their new hobby and dreamed of their team becoming champions (why else did they jump ship to Poole?) But they always gave the impression that they viewed the fans - or most of us - as something the cat dragged in. Plenty of muck, plenty of brass - but no class.