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Last year the NL 4TT was the day after Cardiff...at Stoke...I'm fine with it working like that!

That's not Stoke's bar...that's a local pub

To be honest, I would make everyone qualify. You already have a field of 16, plus 9 seeded, that's 25...is it such an ask to add 7 more riders? Grade everyone by previous average, and then split them into 2 even semi final's. Have them on different days within the same week, so that if a rider can't do one date but can do another they at least have a chance to swap. I don't like the idea of riders at NL level having to miss out on a national tournament due to having work commitments.

Criteria? What criteria? I assume they just picked a few names out of a hat. The seeded riders were the obvious ones, so Garrity, Nielsen etc...past that, it's smoke and mirrors.

Nope. It was a one semi final affair. The other 9 riders were seeded straight through to the final.

Reading the updates, he stayed upright, which was enough to get him points! Still, good luck to him! I would be interested to know why Emerson Jones wasn't included in the line up though!

Stoke's team looks about right. And as far as I know Eazy - Rider are back as sponsors this season.

Completely forgot he had signed there! My point remains valid

I would say your top 3 all have a chance of PL. Where they go from there is anyones guess. Jacobs probably would have been ready this year Sarjeant has all the ability in the world, not sure if he has the right advisors though Greenwood was fantastic in his first full season (And even that wasn't a full season due to injury) and if he stays fit could well be pushing for a PL place in 2014.

http://agriculture.newholland.com/uk/en/Pages/homepage.aspx I'm assuming this is them...

That's such awful bait it is funny.

Stichaeur, Poole and Wells...part of that fantastic Stoke team of 2011...

I'd rather someone with a chip on their shoulder than someone who doesn't believe they have a chance.

So, he's back. Tbf, even after this "will he/won't he", we still can't form an opinion on his ability as 95% of us haven't seen him ride! All that I can say is that, should he come in and do well, all of this will soon be forgotten. So long as his head is in speedway, and he gives his all for Stoke, that's all I can ask!

I wouldn't say he is the "only" option. I'm still pinning my hopes on this being an elaborate con to get Rob Lambert in. However, when Lee did ride for us, he never really impressed me. I know that sounds odd because he scored well at Dudley, but I was there that night, and the phrase "You gotta finish to score" was never more appropriate. Still, whoever it is to be, I just hope they give their all. At times that is all you can ask.

I'd take Stoke's middle order (Kyle Hughes, Luke Chessell and Luke Priest) over yours, but I think Greaves and Clegg at reserve for you will make all the difference

If memory serves, it's around 5.1ish

Ah Gareth, the enigma of many a Stoke team. On his day, he can beat most in the NL, but you never know when he turns up to the tapes, which Gareth you are getting. If confident, and over his injuries, he could increase his average, but he needs to be more consistent. There was nothing more annoying for a fan than seeing him win his first 2 races, then suddenly miss the gate in his third and trail off at the back, looking like a completely different rider. Still, good luck to him!

He made the step up before, with King's Lynn...unfortunately he had a 9 point home average and a 3 point away average for a few seasons. He also rode for a few other clubs, including Stoke at one point.

I thought Ben Taylor missed all of last year? Riders who have stayed where they were could be a rider who has already been announced? Maybe they were after Ben Reade again?

I can't see it being money, I just think it was a case of his average wasn't right. On a 3.61, you either have to build to have him at reserve, or build stronger at the top end as you are only going to be using 9.61 on your bottom 3. If we had signed him in place of Chessell (The only rider he could replace in our line up) people would potentially complain that we had wasted around a point in team building, putting us on the back foot. I hope he gets a club, as he is a rider with a lot of potential who will become a fan favourite wherever he goes.

The national league is full of "plastic" brits? I'll donate £10 to the SBF if you can name me 5 riders who are "plastic" Brits currently riding in the NL.

And Luke Chessell is the final signing! Interesting one. Can gate like a rocket!

I'll go along with that. Dudley are relying on Clegg and Greaves primarily. They should improve a lot, and you would think that one will stay at reserve all season. I can't see much more improvement from Morris, maybe half a point, and Blackbird should up his (And become a better rider on the tight Monmore track) We have no idea about Buxton yet. Will be interesting to see how their 3 pointer go, and they have the ideal captain to help them progress. Coventry will do well. Missing an out and out number 1, but I think Jacobs could continue and up his average to over 8. Greenwood will be up over 7, but a lot depends on their final signing. IoW are relying on 2 riders for their improvement, and how they go on will define their season. Ellis could well be pushing 8 by the end of the season, and Freemantle is capable of around 5. Perry will be a top guy on most tracks, but Bekker and Hopwood can be very hit and miss. Kent? No riders officially announced, but assuming they have Coles, Morley and Steve Boxall, they will be solid enough. KL have made a good start, and Hazelden is a rider I wanted to be at Stoke. Should be potential there, but again seem to be missing a top rider. Mildenhall have no-one yet, but you can usually rely on them to have a good team. If they can keep Nielsen, Halsey, Bates and Stoneman, they have a good basis for a team there. And finally, my team, Stoke. Lee Smart, if over his injuries, will be a top rider. Ben Reade has the potential to put a touch on his average, and Kyle Hughes, if his head and machinery are right, is a 9 point rider. That could be the makings of a very strong top 3. Luke, being back at a track he knows very well, could nudge his average up to about 6.5. Shaun Tedham didn't really impress me for the Spitfires, but if he achieves 3 then he has done his job. I've not seen Emerson Jones ride, but by all accounts he sounds like a good prospect. If we can get a solid rider in for the final place (Someone who can up from 4.5 to 5.5) then we have the basis for a team that could challenge. So, on that basis, I'm going with: 1) Dudley 2) IoW 3) Stoke 4) Mildenhall 5) KL 6) Coventry 7) Kent 8) Buxton

I reckon I could beat the currently declared Mildenhall team...mainly because they don't have anyone yet!