beckettlion

Should be a comfortable home win for the Wolves, but still enough in this for the Lions to have a sniff of picking up an away point or two! We're much better at reserve, and even Ayres should know his way around Monmore being a Cradley rider. A fair bit could depend on Sam Masters, who's results have looked a bit hit and miss (from the, albeit few, I've seen so far) this season. Hope Auty has a good meeting!

I suppose we have to assume no news is good news

In fairness, thats a 5 pt reserve who averages 8+ at Leicester, and has had two huge scores in his first two meetings in England this year

Belle Vue for me and Kings Lynn final for me

Lasse guests for Auty, Klindt for King. I'd say we look a better team on paper than the Robins, but we will have no home track advantage as our riders won't have had much (if any) time out there at all. Also, Doyle is far and away the best rider on display, wouldn't be surprised if he comes out of this meeting with 15 points to his name. Hopefully Klindt carries on his good form of recent meetings back in Lions colours!

Yes please! Maybe lose Freddie for a national league rider too? Makes it far more likely Leicester would beat you!

Gutted we won't be seeing Lebedevs in Lions colours, was really looking forward to watching him this season. However, I think the move makes sense. Did think it was a matter of time til we signed Josh Bates, what with his uncle being the new owner! Think on balance, the team remains a similar strength at home, but will be better away as both new signings will know all the tracks (formerly elite and premier league). Some concerns about the number of double uppers (especially when that was something they'd considered in team building!). Hopefully King rides in the premiership pairs in Wolberts place, would make a more competitive partnership with Nilsson. Wonder who both these boys will be racing for in the fixture against Coventry?

Jim Lynch announced team manager

Agree with this, though isn't Kings average higher than Wolberts (so irrelevant) Garrity's average might be closer if you were to swap a Bees rider in, but I'd rather let the Lions we've signed race together before getting rid of any of them!

Any idea on when we'll be getting a team manager? Would undo some of the huge steps forward the new owners have made if Norrie Allen remains in charge

I had the same concerns with Lebedevs, also worried if he were to do what Ljung, Michelsen and others seem to have done, and use Leicester until the European leagues started. The management have said we won't be racing every meeting on a Saturday night though, so maybe they're going to get around these clashes? I'm sure if we can think of all these things, the management will have too! They must have found a way to address these- time will tell. But 3 & 4 have already been done, so again we only need the time for one half of the circuit. For all we know they may have already started? I, like you, would be surprised if we see any alterations for this season- but I'm just glad we'll get to see speedway at Leicester this year! Shame if we don't get to see this team on a track built for racing, that would be some real entertainment! I agree, think Auty will be okay. He's a steady heat leader in the second tier, so being a second string/ 1st reserve at this level shouldn't be an issue. Hasn't let us down as a fast track reserve, although wasn't scoring as well towards the end of last season. Guaranteed effort with Josh though

Think he'll be competetive with Shanes, Graversen, Kings Lynns number 7 when he's named... No number 7s are that strong. Ayres however, won't give up and the fans will get behind him

Wonder if Neil Machin (I think thats his name) might be involved, was a co-promoter at Leicester and had something to do with Sheffield. Not heard any mention of him being involved at either club and neither clubs he's been involved with are a million miles from Manchester. Believe he must have a promoters licence.

Personally think a top 3 of Nilsson, Lebedevs and Gomolski would be competing with Covs top 3 (King, K Bjerre, Garrity) and Somerset (Tungate, Houggard, Grazjconek).

People seem to be forgetting this is the premiership, not the elite league. All the sides are weaker than last year, but I don't think the lions will be the whipping boys like previous years. No big name GP star like others, but lebedevs and Nilsson have both proven they have the quality and capability to beat them on their days! Think from 1-6 were very solid. Ayres might struggle, but can compete with other no. 7s and will definitely never stop trying!

Don't think this septet is as bad as people are making out... a lot depends on the commitment of Lebedevs and Gomolski considering the Polish league aspect. My main concern is the fact there isn't much experience of the league, so away results may be indifferent. Only Nilsson and Auty raced in the Elite League last year. However, think this team will at least provide entertainment. Not to mention the fact WE HAVE GOT A TEAM! From going to looking like it was all over, to have a team of 7 riders we can all get behind is massive. On a personal level, I've always enjoyed watching Lebedevs more than most whenever he's been involved in individual or european competitions. Didn't think we'd ever see him in Britain, let alone in Lions colours! As long as he is committed to riding for us for the whole season (NOT just using us until the foreign seasons start as we have seen in our short, recent top flight history), then I think we're gunna get some real excitement outta this boy!

Don't think many fans would be overly happy were Bjarne Pedersen to be announced

Are there any legs to the MJJ suggestions, or is that people putting 2 and 2 together and getting a Danish ex GP rider? what average would he come in on? I think he'd be a great signing and a real statement of intent towards taking the team forwards on track. Adding him to what we've already got- (IF everyone commits for the whole season, not just until the Polish league starts), then we'd have the start of a very exciting team

Next signing announced at 8 am tomorrow

Delighted with the start to the team... I think Kim Nilsson will be a shrewd signing, despite his inflated average. He'll be brilliant at home, looked good on previous visits to Beaumont park.. As for Auty, he was one of the first names I'd have wanted. A committed racer, that has never stopped trying for the Lions since his first meeting. Was the Gomolski tweets definitely about Leicester? I figured it came about at the same time that Poole announced they were looking for cover for Brady Kurtz and that their averages would be quite similar. In slightly more concerning news; Aaron Summers Facebook status says he's still owed money and confirmed its not by Glasgow. Unless it's for guest appearances, then it seems to imply he hasn't been paid by Leicester last year (and also seemed to suggest he won't be signing for the club this year).

As long as it's not Norrie Allen, as he seems to have alienated the vast majority of riders involved in British speedway

If we're getting a football manager can we get Leonardo Ulloa to ride at number 1? He's looking for a new club

If we're talking more competitions, I'd love to see a pairs and a fours event for the top flight teams. This should be doable.

I can't see the BSPA allowing Horton to go straight into a position of power at another club, after failing the Coventry faithful. I wouldn't mind the Lions picking a FEW of the Bees riders to maintain them within the sport in the country, but I think it would put off a lot of Leicester fans to see an entire Coventry 1-7... Especially when riders like Josh Auty (who has stuck with the club for the last couple of seasons- and given 110%), don't have a team place in the Premiership. and I really couldn't become one of those people that tries to argue that 'James Sarjeant always makes fair starts... he doesn't deserve his reputation'! Coventry fans wouldn't support a team called Leicester and Leicester fans wouldn't support what we know is a Coventry team! I seriously hope they sort the situation at Brandon, and there are two teams at the tapes in 2017 for an M69 derby, but if they try to amalgamate the clubs, they'll end up with neither.

Does this mean we're signing Tai Woffinden halfway through the season?