Dandelion

The one about a GP rider? I don't get it

Are you saying that based on some insider knowledge? What? We dropped him? That's never happened before... Beggers can't be choosers and I'd welcome Victor back

I think the team looks great? Can't understand the negative comments at all? Solid top 4, Sheldon and Aaron should grow well, just look forward to seeing who the final signing is... Might not be title winners, but still a good team, will make my way back down again this season for sure

1 Drew Kemp 8.14 2 Jacob Clouting 3.13 3 Dan Gilkes 8.00 4 Rob Ledwith 5.93 5 Jason Edwards 7.53 6 Jake Mulford 3.00 7 Nathan Ablitt 3.00 Tonnes of growth with probably the likes of Jake, Nathan and Jacob alone putting 6 points between them onto their averages... Very young team with a level headed leader... Dan and Rob can have more time racing together, which helps the CL team... Good looking side imo They can all push on to riding for the CL team in the future...

Diamonds should have been crowned League Winners And the Scorpions Playoff Winners

He's definitely up there... But not better than Charlie or Craig imo... I guess we'll all just have to wait and see what the CLRC Final is Them three and Danny King probably... On paper anyway

Charles Wright, 2019 British champion rides for Redcar Must admit, Cookie has been the best for a long time... But I think Charles may have just overtaken him... Or at least on last years evidence... Just my opinion of course Barely anything between them... You might argue that Cook's an ex GP rider, and has a higher average in the PL than Charles, but that's the past... Put them on the track right now, race them 10 times and I reckon it would finish 6/4 to Charles... On a neutral track

Maybe Ben Morley and Jack Thomas didn't want to ride for Kent?

Think I need to follow Plymouth a bit more closely next season considering I think of them as my second team but didn't really pay much attention last season: First of all I hope the NL even happens at all!! But if it does I think it will be much weaker than previous season... As a bit of fun, a few names I want to see return: Richard Andrews - No. 3? And captain Adam Extance No. 4? Adam Sheppard No. 2? Henry Atkins No. 5? If the limit is high enough and the rumours about him are true, I'd love to see Adam Roynon return as number 1 Then maybe James Chattin, Jamie Bursill, Tom Young or Kris Andrews as reserves? Depends on what fits obviously James and Jamie would be the ideal two Hope all goes well in the NL AGM today, for ALL teams and we start hearing team news soon Any other thoughts from people who go every week and actually know something about Plymouth speedway (Unlike me)

Not anti Redcar at all... Or else I'd put them in 12th I've put my own team below them for christ sakes I think they have a very good 1-5 but might struggle at reserve, I've been as honest as I could be... They're still well within a playoffs spot, which I think they will be come the end of the season Good luck to them, and the 11 other teams also No problem, I'd say it about any club as I don't want to see any club folding or being attacked, even if they are a bit controversial, we are a speedway family, slowly dying... We don't need inside fighting, we need to be fighting against other sports to get ourselves recognised and more secure!! Also I know Stefan will be at number 2, I worded it slightly wrong... I meant "Top 3 plus Stefan. And Josh at reserve" which was a whole new point... Just didn't have the correct grammar Let's eat, Grandma. Vs Lets eat Grandma and all that... Most teams are easy to predict as most riders in the league aren't new faces (Besides Edinburgh this year)... Maybe they are to Poole fans though as they've just come from a higher league, which is fair enough Like the optimism lol Hope you're right tbh as if the Diamonds folded I think Berwick would have been my new go to team, even though I live 5 minutes from Redcar and 90 minutes from Berwick

The funny thing is, that seems like the complete opposite description of the Claus I'm on about xD Hope it's a year of delivery for him in 2020... And maybe a few on track antics might be nice though

12th probably...

Anyhow... Back to what this thread is all about... My predictions... 1. Poole - Even though they're not complete, if they do finish with Adam Ellis as their other heatleader I think despite whoever else they sign the top 3, plus Stefan and Josh at reserve, will be more than enough to beat most teams at home and away, yes I know they're not the most popular of clubs, but you can't just forget about them. I am struggling though whether to put them of Leicester as favourites and maybe the final 2 signings for Poole will dictate that for me (Revisit in the future). 2. Leicester - Despite having two 16 year olds at reserve who have zero experience of the CL whatsoever, the reports coming back from them are unreal!! Sounds like they're the next big things... At least at home they should cope, but if they can pick it up away Leicester look stand out favourites to me, but riders like Ty, Kyle and Nick CAN be a little inconsistent at times also... Hope the Thompson twins have a strong and successful first year at this level. 3. Glasgow - Changes to be made at some point I'm sure, but the current Glasgow 1-7 look pretty good regardless. Second best rider in the league and probably the best reserve too. Not sure if the likes of Ricky AND Justin can both recapture their form of old, but if only one of them does, Glasgow could be a big force in the league once again. Hope Connor and Broc have a good year again. 4. Eastbourne - Done great on keeping the main spine of the team together and I think they look pretty strong, solid 1-5 all the way through and decent young reserves, glad they resigned Tom Brennan in a team where it looks as if there'll be little pressure on him at number 2? Have a lot of respect for Eastbourne and I can't wait to see them in action next season. 5. Redcar - *shudders* I am predicting them to scrape into the playoffs, with the best rider in the league and the second best heatleader trio they've got a VERY powerful top end... If Jordan and Kasper kick on as well the top 5 could win the meetings all by themselves... Look extremely weak at reserve though, they desperately need either Joe or Jordan to have their breakout years this year... Good luck smoggies 6. Birmingham - Solid team of racers, I really like the look of their team and all of them give 110% to the cause!! Would think the Brummies fans are much happier with this team compared to last year, I see them pushing for the playoffs but not guaranteed on making it, potentially down to the inconsistency of THJ (I hope I'm proved wrong, big fan of his) and the injury proneness of some of the other riders (Again, hope I'm wrong on this). 7. Somerset - Their weakest looking team for a while!! Losing Nick Morris, Chris Harris and Nico Covatti was bad enough... But they've not exactly replaced them very well... Josh and Ben likely to not do a whole season (For one reason or another) and despite them being very entertaining, I really don't see Somerset as a very strong title contender at all, which is what a club that size should be aiming for every season. Think once Bradley's average has dropped 1/1.5 points changes will be made for sure and maybe that will push them higher up this list, but for now... They remain JUST outside the playoffs for me. 8. Newcastle - I could have been bias and put them at number 1 But realistically I know we don't have the strongest looking side so far and unless we manage to get Kenni in on a 4.00 assessed average we don't look to be too threatening either, but the team is still decent considering our uncertainty at the beginning of the season and how much later we had to start than everyone else. Btw best reserve PARTNERSHIP in the league... And I'm really looking forward to seeing James, Connor and Max improve next season and some of Mattys impressive inside passes on bend 4 9. Edinburgh - Despite the fact I think they will make pretty drastic changes at some point in the season and will look much strong because of this, the team Edinburgh have now I reckon will finish around about here. Of course very strong top end as usual for Edinburgh and James Sarjeant at reserve is impressive, but I'm not sure how the two new faces will do, especially considering one of them will be at number 4, would like to see them both kick on though, obviously. 10. Scunthorpe - Pretty usual, boring looking Scunny side, but probably one of the strongest they've fielded since they won the little knockout trophy at the end of 2012 when the Diamonds were LEAGUE winners Simon Lambert is a great reserve and I'm sure Jordan Palin will increase his 2.00 average significantly... Josh Auty easily the weakest number 1 however and will only really do ok at home... Think Jake Allen will kick on though and the likes of Tommy and Danny will increase on their averages also... Jealous Tero is riding for yous and not Newcastle like 11. Kent - Think the first year for Kent was always going to be a struggle, and they do have top riders like Scott and Cameron in their team. Not sure how Nico will handle being the second heatleader, especially away and they don't look massively strong at reserve, even though I'm glad they signed Dan as I think he will be great next year!! Kent, another team I have a lot of respect for. 12. Berwick - Look pretty weak despite having some good racers in the team in Aaron Summers and NBJ, like what they've done at reserve though, two young local(ish) reserves who will form a good partnership imo... But that still doesn't take away from how weak their team looks overall... Sorry Berwick. Feel free to counterargument in a polite manner

Thought so but didn't want to assume

I get the feeling some people on here are just trying to wind Poolebolton up... I have not really read the Poole thread, so I don't know his/her background... Might be a right pain in the arse, but from what I have seen he/she seems like a decent honest poster on this forum and the only reason people are giving him/her a hard time is because he/she is a Poole fan... Don't really see what he/she has done wrong here other than predict results on a PREDICTIONS thread? A league that his/her team is in too... Some people confuse me on here and seem to hold grudges against what seem like (to me) perfectly reasonable forum users... If anyone's the troll here it isn't Poolebolton... Again I must stress that I have not read any Poole threads so I dunno the background to this hostility against them... And I know Poole are a bit of a controversial club at times, but why take it out on the club's fans and give them a hard time on a public forum? If what I know is right, what Poole tried to do with that certain Danish rider was not very well, but EVERY team has tried little tricks like that at some point in time... Like when the Diamonds (I'll use my team as an example to show I'm not being bias) tried to bring in Robert Lambert as a 2.00er!! Despite the fact he had EL experience at that point in time already... I welcome Poole to this league with open arms personally, a new team, new faces, a big name in this league making up extra numbers!! What is wrong with that? It's nothing but good for our Championship that it continues to grow!! I'd rather Poole be in this league than go bust and not exist at all

Personally feel Connor is better than Paco... Maybe Simon is better, but certainly not at Brough... I do agree... Sam Jensen is a hell of a reserve, and I did sort of forget about him being a reserve... But I think Connor would give him a run for his money for sure... Think James Wright (Although a little unknown) is definitely the best second reserve in the league... We have the best pairing for sure Followed closely by Glasgow... Think Claus will do a solid job... But he's not the MASSIVE number 1 the likes of Poole and Glasgow have... Still look forward to seeing at least 3 (Hopefully more) new faces in Diamonds kevlars... Predictions for the 20th? Can't wait!!

When was the last time Newcastle 'flew someone in from all around Europe'? Kenni Larsen strikes me as the last one... Rene Bach and Claes Nedermark too... But not for an awful long time...

Can you not pay on the night too?

They're not from Scotland necessarily... But at a youth/amateur level they've been heavily involved with the Scottish scene... Along with the likes of Kevin Whelan (Who's part Filipino) and maybe even Willie Lawson would consider the NL next year as a number 1 for a bunch of young Scots/Adopted Scots The MIllar brothers too (Gregor and Lewis)

Presumably to the Edinburgh fans saying how much he loved the club... Blah blah, generic sportsperson speaking to fans interview

So who are the 7 rumoured teams? 1. Belle Vue 2. Isle of Wight 3. Kent 4. Leicester 5. Mildenhall 6. Plymouth 7. Mystery Team? Who is the rumoured mystery team? Is it Oxford? Or is that too early for them? I don't even know the full situation for them... Maybe money bags Glasgow are going to put a Scottish team into the mix, to develop young Scottish riders (George Rothery, Luke Ruddick, Ryan MacDonald, Leon Flint) Or what about Rye House or Coventry? Presumably the facilities are all still somewhat there? Maybe the Yorkshire Dukes will finally open!! After taking everyone's gofundme money (Including £50 of mine) just not to appear (At Scunthorpe?) What about Buxton returning at their old track, which still holds racing in some form or another and plenty of speedway practice days... Hmmm... Interesting times ahead for the National League

I'd never write our team off!! I love to guess and see what fits, I find it fun... And I like to have a go for all teams, but the side that has been put together is full of fan favourites and racers!! And I can't wait to see who our final 2 are on the 20th and how the likes of Claus and James will take to their new home track... Come on Diamonds!! Show Rob what he's invested in I wonder what all these centre green shows and shopping outlets he's on about are?

No particular desire... Just on a low average imo and it enables us to have a strong number 5, rather than having Matty there... Plus Mark has experience in riding in the 3/4 partnership so should do ok, especially with a partner like Matty

Well I might as well give it a go too as THJ is so kindly letting me Thanks... Newcastle Diamonds Avg. Nat. 1 Claus Vissing 8.43 DEN 2 Max Clegg 4.92 GBR 3 Mark Riss 4.84 GER 4 Matthew Wethers 6.92 AUS 5 Rene Bach 7.19 DEN 6 James Wright 4.00 GBR 7 Connor Mountain 4.61 GBR Total 40.91 Left 0.09 Mark Riss has not ridden in Britain since 2018 and would be a bargain, easily upping that average... Also my dream of Rene Bach coming back is still possible... But swap him for Ludvig/Pavlova (Although lots of points wasted then) I'd be happy with that team... The 1 & 5 look strong enough imo... Matty at 4 again, brilliant... Mark Riss would do well at 3 and Max is a brilliant number 2... And we've got very strong reserves this season for once!! Still not 100% convinced with Claus but I'm willing to support him all the way as long as he puts in that 110% effort, would be a good number 5, but not sure about him being a number 1 with that average Look forward to next season, thanks Granty for saving us so we have speedway at all The reserves: I think Connor is the strongest named reserve so far, and unless Poole or Redcar pull something great off, WILL be the best reserve in the league... Brilliant signing... James, never seen him before but good luck to him!! Hope he can really kick on and at least finish up on 4.00/4.50 come the end of the season... I just want to see some real effort from him... Dunno how well he liked Brough? Could be another Simon Lambert from last year (Also wouldn't mind Ludvig Lindgren #5 and Joel Andersson #3 to be the final two riders, just fits with 0.03 to spare) The two Swedes, the return of the Turnip twins?

Newcastle: Claus Vissing 8.43 Connor Mountain 4.61 James Wright 4.00