gazzac Posted April 15, 2017 Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 I've noticed more or less every post summing up the first matches has had comments like great top end but reserves a problem or like Eastie great strength in depth but a bit nervous when our heat leaders come up against the likes of Morley and Zach. I think this is great for the NL and still unsure who's got it right yet, although at the moment I'm pleased with the Eastie team make up. With a 39 points limit was always going to be 2 ways of building a team,should be an interesting season to see who's got it right as it unfolds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Voice Of Reason Posted April 15, 2017 Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 I think all teams in Speedway, irrespective of league, need two reliable and consistent 'big hitters'. At NL level, Lakeside appear to have that. The worrying shortfall is having a one 'track' pony who can gate and go at home; but is a complete washout away (that's when he bothers to actually turn up). The other positions will inevitably be made up of varying levels of experience; with a mix of ability and timeframe to develop. Importantly, it's also a question of money; in order to keep levels of equipment competitive. Sponsorship aside, this will also depend upon promoters paying riders a decent wage - commensurate with their ongoing costs. After all, and let's be honest about this, with the admission price that many promotions ard charging for this level of Speedway, they've certainly got no reason not to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marko Posted April 15, 2017 Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 Ah this is my sort of debate, after 28 years of watching and more importantly over a decades experience of running a speedway sim (late 90s to 2012) I can honestly say that a top heavy is nearly always better than one with strength in depth. But the top heavy side must bar some exceptions which I will explain below have at least three big hitters, under the old tactical subs rides it made those teams even stronger if they fell six points behind, modern day speedway with its tactical ride offers some degree of push back but not enough to turn a meeting on its head and in the today's National League there is no tactical rides so if a team does fall behind they are on an uphill struggle. The best sort of teams though are ones with two big hitters, a solid third and forth, a reasonable fifth and one good reserve which can swap places with the weaker second string so the team always has a good rider down there, the seventh can be a sacrificial lamb to keep the points limit down (anything scored from there is a free bonus) three rides and done for him with the stronger reserve taking his last ride. Teams that can boast a a couple of good heat leaders and one very good reserve can be dangerous on their day, I recall many years ago Swindon coming to Lakeside (we might have still been Arena Essex) and winning with just two riders, Leigh Adams and Jurica Pavlic who was at reserve and scored a max, they must have got around 35 points between them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzac Posted April 15, 2017 Author Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 Ah this is my sort of debate, after 28 years of watching and more importantly over a decades experience of running a speedway sim (late 90s to 2012) I can honestly say that a top heavy is nearly always better than one with strength in depth. But the top heavy side must bar some exceptions which I will explain below have at least three big hitters, under the old tactical subs rides it made those teams even stronger if they fell six points behind, modern day speedway with its tactical ride offers some degree of push back but not enough to turn a meeting on its head and in the today's National League there is no tactical rides so if a team does fall behind they are on an uphill struggle. The best sort of teams though are ones with two big hitters, a solid third and forth, a reasonable fifth and one good reserve which can swap places with the weaker second string so the team always has a good rider down there, the seventh can be a sacrificial lamb to keep the points limit down (anything scored from there is a free bonus) three rides and done for him with the stronger reserve taking his last ride. Teams that can boast a a couple of good heat leaders and one very good reserve can be dangerous on their day, I recall many years ago Swindon coming to Lakeside (we might have still been Arena Essex) and winning with just two riders, Leigh Adams and Jurica Pavlic who was at reserve and scored a max, they must have got around 35 points between them! Wow !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waco Posted April 15, 2017 Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 The most important thing these days seems to be having one very strong reserve at all times... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesM09 Posted April 15, 2017 Report Share Posted April 15, 2017 The most important thing these days seems to be having one very strong reserve at all times... Fully agree Waco, a strong reserve can make or break teams. I've always said you wont win a meeting without reserves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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