HGould

Poor Arthur, he is a few crusts and a few slices short of a loaf.

A rider who showed real speed and promise on a few occasions a few years ago, could suit Brummies or Plymouth! Valentin Grobauer. Not sure what he's doing these days but worth a look maybe? I've a vague recollection he shacked up with Gary May when he rode for Somerset?

A rider who showed real speed and promise on a few occasions a few years ago, could suit Brummies or Plymouth! Valentin Grobauer. Not sure what he's doing these days but worth a look maybe?

JP had very little 500cc experience and is definitely one for the future. Hell definitely need more core strength and its a shame he doesn't appear to qualify for NDL as that would have boosted his development. He seems emotionally mature though which will serve him well and his winter results have shown real progress in his own environment. If he and Brummies persevere no reason why he can't hit 4 plus in 23 and then improve again. Let's not forget he arrived as a 16 year old not in his early 20s like some he's been unfairly compared with.

I fear that you are right.

Huge hype and therefore expectation on a heat leader on a 6.09 average, and a brothers who's spell at reserve left him on 4.92, having struggled as a second string. Especially with a superb heat leader in Danny King missing. Can't see Cooks averaging more than 7 and 5 respectively. If Lawson or Worrall have anything like an off night someone will wollop Poole Will need Jack Thomas to stay injury free and claim 3rd heat leader spot,which he's very capable of doing.

Thanks for clarifying. He did have issues with popping at Brummies and after he left. Wasn't aware of Oxford issue

He has well documented health issues which to give him credit he has been very open about. There are two Craig Cook's he knows that better than anyone, sadly the nature of his health issues means that he can't always decide which one he is. Mental Health is silent, its not always visible and sufferers are left tofight with their demons, often in private. It can only be 100X worse IF you are in the public eye and exposed to the worst kind of bigotry, abuse and intolerence from keyboard warriors and others and from those without care or compassion. There are many people who commit misdemeanors who don't suffer health issues but who seem to be immune from criticism; or about whom some who attack Craig won't hear a bad word said; unfortunately Craig and others with similar health issues seem to suffer disproportionately. He has never sought to hide these problems and issues and hopefully 2023 will be a year in which he can do what he does best and not be afficted by the demons he tries to control. There is one irrefutable fact and that is that when on form, in the best of health and positive and motivated he is a world class talent and a joy to all. Hopefully Craig, Edinburgh and the whole Speedway world have a very positive 2023.

Exactly Massive investment in to Team GB ang young British riders too.

It's certainly true that the Facenna brothers have splashed the cash on their track, equipment, facilities and in the Community. Stadium Owners who have invested and that's why Team GB ride internationals there and FIM and SGP are happy to allocate major Fixtures. Two straight talking guys who don't seek the limelight. As for Poole, erm tenants, no investment in track or stadium, backhand deals and gazumping riders like Lawson and Roynon. Jury won't be out very long on disproving Arthur's fairy tales.

Couldn't give a jot about Yanks to be honest. Shame about Dan, but Kemp and Rowe have developed a reputation for being high maintenance and sulkers. Hopefully all 3 can find opportunities and that 2 of them can reflect that behaviour and demeanour off the track can be as important as points on it.

Why do you feel the need to continually rubbish stir. I can't find any reference to anyone actually getting a suit. Clubs and many riders have adopted similar schemes for suits, race jackets and bike covers etc. It's certainly a lot cheaper than the amount you'd have to fork out to get an invite to the Salon Owners Chateau.

Big question for me is the key difference betweem League Position and what then happens in the Play Offs. I think there could be a bit of tomfoolery this year , isnt there always , well sometimes BUT, I think the lack of options at the bottom end of some teams built with top end strength may see some protection / reduction of averages to build teams up mid-later season, especially if a number of decent 5-6 point average riders are initially displaced. My League Predictions therefore differ from Play Off outcomes. League 1 Redcar - strong top and an ace in Edwards who can improve again 2 Glasgow - strong and exciting and key men in Vissing + Complin if they can regain even 80% of proper form - Ace P could be an absolute ace (rate him very highly) 3 Scunny - will the real Jake Allen please stand up...IF he does they are very very solid throughout! 4. Plymouth - very good top 5 and very strong at home - IF Gilkes returns as he left will mitigate real concerns at 6 and 7 5 Poole - I think they'll sandbag it early - if Roynon + Newman are reserves initially and stay FIT they could finish higher but I have a hunch they will have plans for incoming Aussies at some point on 4-5 point averages once said Aussies have proved fitness in other European Leagues. 6 Edinburgh - always tough at home and likely to make the Play Offs in Pickering they have outstanding rider and Thomson is under-rated imo 7 Oxford - excellent top 3 will win them matches but unless we get the slimline fit Heeps a lot of pressure on lower order 8 Birmingham - a lot of pressure on Nick Morris is isn't always great at dealing with pressure, Sedgeman will need to ride like he did in 2022 BUT can be hot and cold and the rest of the team just doesn't match up to the early "we've been inundated with riders wanting to ride for us" messages coming out of PB. I think the late saving of the Monarchs basically ruined Brummies plans! 9 Berwick - Flint will continue to improve and with Brennan be at the front of the next wave of developing British talent, RooBoy is a proud man and won't lie down without a fight but his return is baffling in many ways - they should be strong at home but vulnerable away. PLAY OFFS....I see being semi finals with Redcar / Plymouth / Poole and Glasgow. Champions -: It's impossible then to look past Poole as that's when they will be at their best and most dangerous.

Think Kyle has a recurring shoulder issue from memory. Keeps popping out. If he has to have the proper pinning op (like Kyle Howarth had) it's 4-6 months I think and he'd be off work too, when he was at Brummies he was Painting and Decorating I think, so not ideal to have to take so much time off. Tough decision at his age and where his career is, as to whether to have to op or try to soldier on and let it recover by full rest.

He's been in the Team GB development squad for a while so definitely gets 2.5% reduction

Lets be honest, Newman or Bailey would be excellent signings and make a very strong bottom 3 to add to the top 2 and to cover off any shortfall IF either or both of the Cook brothers had one of those "plateau / flatline" seasons that in terms of average many Aussies and Brits have in that very hard transition from 5. something to over 7 point something!

work your way back to page 30.... you might need to borrow a friends hand to count that high....use your 5 fingers and thumb and 6 toes and a mates hand...

Took em long enough. Known on 23rd Novenber

Some things age better than others. JT it is

Deal Would prefer him over Manzaries every day of the week

Might be a bit costly but with ALL home based 1-6 surely got to be worth a punt on Kelleher on that average. Track Record holder in 2021, some outstanding home form and will have ridden almost all of the tracks at least once. You'd back him to put points on that average and he was as least as good as Z Cook and Ruml in that 2021 Team, and if either of those were starting at 6 in 2023 the vibe would be massively positive! No brainer in my opinion.

Never understood the reasoning that you have to go to exact limit. If you have 4.21 and nothing suitable but ideal candidate is 0.80 or similar short, why not sign the best 7 for your track, rather than another 7 just to use every decimal point up. Top 5 of Plymouth looks as good as any. Sadly they have by far the weakest number 7 Good number 6 will be vital.

Like I said, lets see who the better rider is when Pearson is 20.

Anyone having seizures after a head injury should not be playing any sort of contact or physical Sport for at least a few years in my opinion. Jordan Palin is doing exactly the right thing in having a year out (at least) One more knock could result in dire consequences for themseleves and others.

James is 16 going 17, and will be better than either of the Cook brothers will ever be by the time he is 18 (how old are the Cook brother btw). He could be as good as any current Aussie under 20 by the time he reaches that age. McGuiness is gaining a lot of experience in Europe and would do a solid job.