Jump to content
British Speedway Forum

Cradley Heathens 2019


Hunty

Recommended Posts

Being a neutral now has its advantages.  There really is no stand out team this time although I suspect Kent will carry the favourites tag. But anyone can make the play offs.  Only 3 will miss out and I suspect Belle Vue and Stoke will be two of those three and Heathen 1984 is being unduly pessimistic.

Max Clegg had an early season dip but finished near invincible whilst Tom Brennan improves every time I see him. They both finished up riding above their averages.  Dan Halsey is sure to improve his average with the reduced level of competition and the many new reserves gives a lad like Whitmore much more chance.  If Like Harris fills the final spot I fancy Cradley to finish 3rd possibly behind Kent and Leicester.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The reduction in the points limit seems to be freezing more than a few of the top riders out of the National League (which was probably at least partly the objective!) But this will mean that many riders who were perhaps 6/7 point men last season, will become 8/9 point men after the first month of the new season, due to having had comparatively  easier rides. If this happens, clubs will then be able to drop one of these riders and replace him with a 2018 8/9 pointer who will then in reality be a 10/11 point man.

Difficult to put into words, but this could create problems and ill-feeling from clubs who aren't in a position to make such a change, so I hope that the BSPA have taken this possibility into account!

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

17 minutes ago, brianbuck said:

The reduction in the points limit seems to be freezing more than a few of the top riders out of the National League (which was probably at least partly the objective!) But this will mean that many riders who were perhaps 6/7 point men last season, will become 8/9 point men after the first month of the new season, due to having had comparatively  easier rides. If this happens, clubs will then be able to drop one of these riders and replace him with a 2018 8/9 pointer who will then in reality be a 10/11 point man.

Difficult to put into words, but this could create problems and ill-feeling from clubs who aren't in a position to make such a change, so I hope that the BSPA have taken this possibility into account!

The reduction in the number of teams from 10 to 8 is as much responsible for a lack of places for last years riders as the limit reduction is.

But you are correct that there will be an inflation in all riders averages once the first set of new Green Sheets are issued.   The team average will rise from 36 to 42, so a mean increase of 16.7%

It is likely that a 6.00 rider will increase his average to 7.00 and then could be replaced by a (last year's) 7.00 rider who is really worth 8.16 in new money.

The only way I can think of to counter this is to increase the average of any rider from last year, who doesn't start this year, by 16% if joining a team after the new averages are out.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, brianbuck said:

The reduction in the points limit seems to be freezing more than a few of the top riders out of the National League (which was probably at least partly the objective!) But this will mean that many riders who were perhaps 6/7 point men last season, will become 8/9 point men after the first month of the new season, due to having had comparatively  easier rides. If this happens, clubs will then be able to drop one of these riders and replace him with a 2018 8/9 pointer who will then in reality be a 10/11 point man.

Difficult to put into words, but this could create problems and ill-feeling from clubs who aren't in a position to make such a change, so I hope that the BSPA have taken this possibility into account!

That's basically what Barry Bishop questioned in the comments of the last speedway tavern.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

I feel/fear there will be a victim of numbers/fixtures somewhere along the way this season and it could taint the whole reduction of points and what it was trying to achieve. Assuming a new 2.00 reserve like McGurk has a good first 4 meetings / against the sides with lesser reserves its entirely conceivable that he could end up with an average of 8/9 then get replaced by a rider like Jack Smith and would be stuck out in the cold with an 8+ average.....however im sure the powers that be have considered these kind of situations fully and they will appear in the mystery additional rules that are currently being worked upon.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 weeks later...

It's a Cradley type team for sure.  Big hitters and a potentially long tail, but that's the way it's mostly been since about 1980 so I'm comfortable with it :)

Happy to see Luke back, as mentioned above he has progressed steadily and will hopefully challenge for a heat leader birth as the season progresses

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 12/30/2018 at 8:11 PM, brianbuck said:

The reduction in the points limit seems to be freezing more than a few of the top riders out of the National League (which was probably at least partly the objective!) But this will mean that many riders who were perhaps 6/7 point men last season, will become 8/9 point men after the first month of the new season, due to having had comparatively  easier rides. If this happens, clubs will then be able to drop one of these riders and replace him with a 2018 8/9 pointer who will then in reality be a 10/11 point man.

Difficult to put into words, but this could create problems and ill-feeling from clubs who aren't in a position to make such a change, so I hope that the BSPA have taken this possibility into account!

It also gives piss poor and perennial 3.5 point journeymen ,   the opportunity to take to social media with 5-6 point tallies, claiming  they have had some sort of revelation and are the new Tai Woffinden . The  reality of course is they have taken the extra points from raw beginners , won't stop  their nearest and dearest  and one or two hangers on ,from blowing an 1800's style  London "pea souper" up their arses though . neither will it stop the pitiful excuses when some of the raw beginniers start to find their feet and beat them !

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 1/12/2019 at 12:04 PM, adonis said:

It also gives piss poor and perennial 3.5 point journeymen ,   the opportunity to take to social media with 5-6 point tallies, claiming  they have had some sort of revelation and are the new Tai Woffinden . The  reality of course is they have taken the extra points from raw beginners , won't stop  their nearest and dearest  and one or two hangers on ,from blowing an 1800's style  London "pea souper" up their arses though . neither will it stop the pitiful excuses when some of the raw beginniers start to find their feet and beat them !

Names :D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
9 minutes ago, Dickie Head said:

Did young Harry McGurk have a nasty fall in the Ben Fund meeting at the weekend? Anyone know? Hope he’s ok and will be able to start the season.

Looking at the pictures i would say he was riding at Scunny? Not sure who wiped him out but "only" seen bruising to lung and abdomen as injuries. Wish him a speedy recovery.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Harry was at Scunthorpe. He was collected by another rider and speared towards the fence. Bike first raising the air fence then Harry hit next, bounced up a long way, did a somersault and landed very, very hard. He had a couple of nights in hospital but was allowed home yesterday. It was a horrific accident to see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, ProudtobeaBrummie said:

He is certainly a interesting character i am sure he only has the best interests of cradley at heart 

Never doubted his good intentions just the bitter swiping at each other. As an outsider looking in all I see is a group of people fighting to become the leader of the gang.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue. Privacy Policy