FishersGate

Didn't go to the meeting last night, which for me is rare. Mostly because of financial commitments and I saw this almost as a dead rubber. Sounded like a great meeting with some decent action. Fair play to the brummies for not just turning up and being rolled over, sounded like they really wanted to send a message to the rest of the league. I'm not surprised by the scoreline at all, Lions do tend to start slow, Fricke also never gets going until the summer officially arrives. So I can't really make too much of an assumption yet on how Leicester will get on this year. I still think Birmingham will struggle, but I would love to be proved wrong.

I can't believe what I heard on the Speedway Tavern podcast. Apparently Leicester will be competing for the wooden spoon with Oxford. Some birmingham fans are clearly over rating there side.....hopefully Monday changed there minds.

Only when we lose haha

Correct 6th I meant

Birmingham were crap, no surprise there. I do think they will get better though. A brand new side on a track that some of them of barely done a lap round it, it was always going to be a big ask to start strong against a decent Lions side. I do think even before this meeting the team is bang average. Toby is a great rider but I can't see any other riders giving him big support in heats 13 and 15 , Zagar isn't that rider anymore. The rest of the side OK, that's about it. OK. The battle for 6th place will be interesting between Oxford and Birmingham that's sure.

Funny how Birmingham signed a unproven Finnish rider when Kemp was right there infront of them only for Leicester to sign him

Birmingham are crap water is wet

I don't think this makes Leicester wooden spoon favourites but clearly Cook is a better rider than Kemp. Poor decision making by management to sign Cook in the first place. At least with Kemp you know your going to get real effort and he now has a point to prove. Weak at reserve again though...

Right now the teams are sorted I can finally do my predictions 1. Ipswich - Best side, balance, experience, youth, quality. 2. Sheffield - will be super strong at home again. 3. Belle Vue - Solid side with a mixture of riders that can put points on there averages I reckon 4. Leicester - Was going to put Lynn here but Stewart Dickson always make us strong at home and competetive away, solid side as per usual. 5. Kings Lynn - Could be 4 or even 3rd spot! Good side lots of strength n depth. Just lacks a real number 1 but could be dark horses for the play offs if they sneak in 6. Birmingham- Bang average side but it's better than last years that's all I can say 7. Oxford - not good enough I'm afraid. If Janowski can get going then maybe they can sneak up the table but can't see that being enough. Disappointing team

Max perry confirmed for the cubs. It's great to see the club backing the kids again. A talented bunch of riders with bright futures. It's not about winning in the NDL. Clues in the name. It's development. Leicester have been doing that for a number of years now. Winning titles is just a bonus in my eyes.

Some real surprises so far. Riders I've never even heard of. Fair play Monarchs bet these lads don't come cheap with them coming from different nations. I'm glad to see them changing the side that is really needed from a neutral aspect.

It's a decent side. Not great but competitive. I can't see them getting anywhere near silverware but at least it's the side that's reliable and has riders that will give 100%. At home scunny will be fine but away from home probably struggle.

Hume or Gilkes doesn't really make much of a different to the side really. With Hume though you are getting a rider that gives absolutely everything, which also is his downfall. Seen him fall off or lose out on points due to trying too hard. Still a good side but is heavily reliant on the top 4

Potential to be a solid side. I wouldn't bother with Gilkes personally. I reckon there struggling to get a number 1 in so you have to go down the kings lynn route of strength n depth. Dropping Gilkes leaves loads of points for two assessed riders from abroad pushing Riss to reserve. I can't think of any riders though unfortunately. Birmingham have snapped up most of them

Just over 3 points to work with really does limit what you can get. I'm trying to think of riders and there barely any I'd consider. Seems like to me they've gone too top heavy this season.