Bagpuss Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 If it's a step too far too quick for Shanes then so it is for Bailey, Ayres, Greaves, Smith, Perks and Zak W too. I just think that his poor gating, lack of experience outside the third division and unfamiliarity with his home track make 2017 a particularly tall order for him. I hope all these riders prosper and do well as they are all British but in reality they are likely to be feeding off scraps. As long as they all improve that's all we can ask really. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paddy The Rebel Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 James Shanes although a trier and entertainer is a poor gater and in my opinion is the weakest number 7 in the league. Bates and Ayres are certainly better. So to are Zach and Greaves. I would say Perks, Graversen and Bailey are better to but not by much. You on drugs no way on earth Greaves and Zach are better they are shocking cudnt score at pl level last year so how can you say there better you're living on cloud cuckoo land!! No way he's the worst no7 in the league imo could well be one of the best. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodgy Posted February 21, 2017 Report Share Posted February 21, 2017 If it's a step too far too quick for Shanes then so it is for Bailey, Ayres, Greaves, Smith, Perks and Zak W too. I just think that his poor gating, lack of experience outside the third division and unfamiliarity with his home track make 2017 a particularly tall order for him. I hope all these riders prosper and do well as they are all British but in reality they are likely to be feeding off scraps. As long as they all improve that's all we can ask really. That's what I'm saying GB, he's on a par with these 7's and improving. Each will have their day. Looks like most teams have that Sacrificial Lamb. Guess they will learn what it takes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 All this thread proves is nobody really had a clue. Kings Lynn seem to be highly rated but I'm not seeing it. Holders average can only go one way, Lambert is decent but Batch has lost it and has done nothing to suggest he's going to get it back. Porsing couldn't get 7 in the PL last year and Rose should be OK. Huckenbeck was crap everywhere last year and they have experienced in reserve. Better than Swindon and Somerset though who between them only have Jake Allen and Adam Ellis that are decent signings. Rye House have a solid top 4 but they're hardly moving in the right direction are they? Weak at number 7, not bad reserve but still a few that are better and Robbo is just a bit meh as a signing these days. Poole have a great signing in Klindt, the two young Aussies are going the right way generally and Newman is a steady plodding rider. KK and Hans are as good a top 2 as you'll get. Shane's looks like the pick of the two pointers to me. Leicester have a smashing signing in Lebdevs if he takes to British tracks and is committed. You never know for sure how a new foreign rider will perform but well worth the risk. Kim Nilsson throws in too many lasts to be a decent number 1 but Riss is a decent signing. In fact as a reserve he's brilliant. Auty is just Auty. Wolberts poor and Ayres is poor value too. Wolves have Freddie on good value but that's negated by Thorsell whos poor value but I do like him and think he's a decent little rider. Average is biased by riding as a second string more than most on his average though. Masters is a tidy signing and Skornicki is more likely to be good than bad. Howarths an odd rider, I don't rate him but he did alright last year despite having a poor spell mid season. Clegg and Greaves are a terrible reserve pairing only beat to the title of leagues worst by Swindons pair. Coventry have a good number 1 on a bargain average in Bjerre, a solid number two in King who unlike most on his average spent all of last season as a heat leader. Garrity isn't great value on paper but his away form is pretty decent and he IS entertainment. Lasse Bjerre is another bargain, a prove 8-9 point PL man and 6 point EL man who had a tough 2016 coming back from injury and being at a club he had issues with - Watt aside I'm not seeing a better second string. Kerr had a good end to last season after coming back from a terrible injury in 2015, not the best signing but still a better #5 than most teams. Then we get to Sarj, he had a poor EL season in 2016 not helped by the fact that when he run into some form he ended up in the 1-5 and lost his form. How many other reserves have 1-5 experience? Christ most of them don't have much 1-5 PL experience and a dozen meetings aside for Glasgow Sarj has always been a second string at PL level. Probably wouldn't have had him back myself but I'm not sure why people think he's as bad as they do. Then at number 7 we have Josh Bates who is a decent signing and I expect to clean up at reserve against everyone except Poole and possibly Leicester. On his day CAN and does beat anyone. 1. Poole 2. Coventry 3. Rye house 4. Wolverhampton 5. Kings Lynn 6. Leicester 7. Swindon 8. Somerset God knows what route BV are going down but in Fricke, Cook and Worrall they should have a good top 3 and in Bewley a decent reserve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Wolves have Freddie on good value but that's negated by Thorsell whos poor value but I do like him and think he's a decent little rider. Average is biased by riding as a second string more than most on his average though. He rode 12 of the official 32 meetings (including play offs) at 3 or 5. So just under two thirds as a second string. In a weaker league he should easily make the top 10 averages for the year IMHO. Lasse Bjerre is another bargain, a prove 8-9 point PL man and 6 point EL man who had a tough 2016 coming back from injury and being at a club he had issues with He certainly wasn't an 8 pointer last season but like you say there appears big issues with him at Redcar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Col Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I loathe the fact I think Poole & Wolves will make the play-offs, but I do. Wolves went cheap on their team building, being lazy after last years success. The Poole top two are far from their peak & inconsistent but have an abundance of experience, Andersen even has a personality which helps in the pits. I imagine the Spirit at Rye House will be phenomenal in the pits but there are just no gaters in the team & I dread to think what will happen to them at the bigger tracks - Saddlebow Rd, Blunsden & NSS. Maybe even the OTA. Except for Saddlebow Rd, I'd suspect Wolves & Poole will pick up points. I think there is allot of potential in the teams Leicester & Kings Lynn, if everyone is on their game I think they'll do OK. Somerset I'm sad to say have no heatleader that can win the crucial heats 13 & 15, which isn't good. Tactical rides, also rely on having a rider that can win a heat. It is very difficult to judge since I know very little about any of the #7's, I am assuming all will score 3 at home, 1 away. If there is a stand out #7 amongst them, that could make a difference. I hate the way Coventry have constructed their team. They have gone down the route of no 0's on the scorecard, but Serjeant will touch the tapes at least 10 times a season. Garrity is capable of throwing points away stupidly, are either Bjerre fully fit. Play-offs - Kings Lynn, Poole, Wolves. Play-offs possibles - Leicester, Rye House, Belle Vue, Coventry. Meh - Swindon, Somerset. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bagpuss Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I can't remember a year where so many people had the same opinion on who the top four will be. I wonder if it will prove to be so clear cut? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arch Stanton Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 KL look the best to me and although obviously in the minority looking at this thread, I really like the look of Coventry. Not sure about Rye. Would have said it was the best of the lot 5 years ago but it's got a dads army look to me with too many nowhere near the level they were a few years ago and only likely to decline further rather than improve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g13webb Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 KL look the best to me and although obviously in the minority looking at this thread, I really like the look of Coventry. Not sure about Rye. Would have said it was the best of the lot 5 years ago but it's got a dads army look to me with too many nowhere near the level they were a few years ago and only likely to decline further rather than improve. The side COVENTRY have assembled would surely be in the reckoning for the Play-offs had they be riding at BRANDON. As it is, using the Leicester track as a temporary base is all very well but as soon as fans can see nothing is happening at their iconic home then the interest will diminish. Unless their supporters can see light at the end of the tunnel then they will not continue with their extra expense, time and effort to support the Bees on a full time basis. It is imperative that the Brandon situation is sorted QUICKLY, else it will be yet another club fallen by the way side..... For that reason, I don't see them lasting the season out... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve0 Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 My guess would be (not in any particular order): Top 4: Rye House, Wolves, Poole + one of the next group Middle group (vying for the last spot): Belle Vue, Swindon, Kings Lynn, Coventry, Wooden spoon contenders: Leicester, Somerset Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woz01 Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 The side COVENTRY have assembled would surely be in the reckoning for the Play-offs had they be riding at BRANDON. As it is, using the Leicester track as a temporary base is all very well but as soon as fans can see nothing is happening at their iconic home then the interest will diminish. Unless their supporters can see light at the end of the tunnel then they will not continue with their extra expense, time and effort to support the Bees on a full time basis. It is imperative that the Brandon situation is sorted QUICKLY, else it will be yet another club fallen by the way side..... For that reason, I don't see them lasting the season out... I put Coventry outside of the play offs for similar reasons, the uncertainty will be difficult for all although I think we do have a chance of making top 4. If we complete the season obviously. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 The side COVENTRY have assembled would surely be in the reckoning for the Play-offs had they be riding at BRANDON. As it is, using the Leicester track as a temporary base is all very well but as soon as fans can see nothing is happening at their iconic home then the interest will diminish. Unless their supporters can see light at the end of the tunnel then they will not continue with their extra expense, time and effort to support the Bees on a full time basis. A Coventry side that contains ex Leicester riders Garrity, Lasse, Kerr, Bates and Sarjeant. Plus I imagine it being a track that suit Kenneth and Danny King is OK there. There more of a Leicester feel to this Coventry team than a Coventry one with Bjerre, Bjerre and Kerr being new riders! Garrity for a start is much better at Leicester than Brandon and thats as an away rider. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
g13webb Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 A Coventry side that contains ex Leicester riders Garrity, Lasse, Kerr, Bates and Sarjeant. Plus I imagine it being a track that suit Kenneth and Danny King is OK there. There more of a Leicester feel to this Coventry team than a Coventry one with Bjerre, Bjerre and Kerr being new riders! Garrity for a start is much better at Leicester than Brandon and thats as an away rider. You're missing the point. My fears is not about the Coventry team's ability to ride the Leicester track, more about the financial burden that goes with it. If the promotions had troubles with the viability of racing in Coventry then the rewards from riding 40mls away will be non-existent. How long will the promoter be able to keep the ship afloat????? The situation doesn't fill me with any optimism at all. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gavan Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Gavan still saying poole have a weak top 3!?! I'd say KL have clearly the strongest, then a toss up between wolves and poole for the next strongest (kk/Andersen > lindgren/Thorssel buy Masters > kurtz). Probably Wolves edge it, but none of the other 6 sides come close imo. Not a weak top 3 but not as good as Lynn, not as good as Wolves but possibly best of the rest. You have 2 of the most inconsistent riders in KK and Hans and then an ok third heat leader. As ive said the second strings, whichever 2 they are will be strong You on drugs no way on earth Greaves and Zach are better they are shocking cudnt score at pl level last year so how can you say there better you're living on cloud cuckoo land!! No way he's the worst no7 in the league imo could well be one of the best. Nathan Greaves isnt very good i agree and maybe Shanes could do better. I would expect Zach to average more than Shanes. I watched Shanes 3 times last season and he is yards behind going into the first bend. As ive said he is great to watch as he is all action and likes to wind it on out in the dirt but he simply leaves himself so much to do. He will struggle to get around some tracks but will no doubt thrive on Belle Vues wide open spaces and being a top grasstracker he should have no problems at Poole. He will never in a million years average what Bates or Ayres do. He will struggle to get what Zach does and could maybe do better than Bailey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SCB Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 You're missing the point. My fears is not about the Coventry team's ability to ride the Leicester track, more about the financial burden that goes with it. If the promotions had troubles with the viability of racing in Coventry then the rewards from riding 40mls away will be non-existent. How long will the promoter be able to keep the ship afloat????? Since when? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crazy robin Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I've tried so hard to look at the Swindon team with rose tinted glasses but even doing that they really are cannon fodder unless changes are made. If Wilson-Dean was reserve & no Grondal then it would be a struggle but it is weak, weak, weak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SomersetBlue Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 I like how you have put the table upside down! Interesting prediction tho. Not upside down 😉 us Rebels are going to boss this league and Poole are rubbish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bald Bloke Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 (edited) Been done..To late Edited February 22, 2017 by Bald Bloke Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevebrum Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Not upside down us Rebels are going to boss this league and Poole are rubbish 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaColette Posted February 22, 2017 Report Share Posted February 22, 2017 Not upside down 😉 us Rebels are going to boss this league and Poole are rubbishLol!!! Yeah really rubbish. You are in for a shock 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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