Newcastle "BTS" Gems 2021

[Sings4Speedway]

19 minutes ago, StevePark said:

 

Yeah, I stupidly looked at 2019, rather than the abandoned 2020 team lists.  If they want to encourage new riders, then 2.00 would be better than 3.00 in my opinion too, all they have to do is drop the points limit accordingly, so teams are not overly "top heavy." 

I agree with the encouragement part but the lower team building limit is naturally encouraging new 3 pointers in.  2 point average rider can run two thirds, a last and been swapped out each meeting and still see their average increase. To prevent top heavy i think a max average cap should be introduced and potentially a maximum on the teams combined league experience? That would encourage new riders in rather than the NL journeymen who know how to keep their averages in the attractive signing zone.

[Ringitsneck]

Great news that we are going full on in the NL full rather than just the cup competition and I appreciate we need to balance the team with the number of local untried youngsters in there but Max Clegg should not be in there.

Nothing against the lad but he’s been riding as a professional for about nine years, he was in the Elite league draft system in 2014 and he is way too good for the NL. Add the fact that the pressure of doing the previous championship match and then being expected to clean up doing another 5 rides afterwards is just too much to put on him. This is supposed to be a development division , he isn’t going to learn anything that he doesn’t already know. Yes, he will be a big scoring number 1 but isn’t the point of the exercise to give new youngsters opportunities ? There are bound to be clashes of fixtures away from home so he will miss meetings anyway and there won’t be many 10-11 point averaged guests knocking about!
I know we need a competitive team but there’s room there to bring in two less experienced 5-6 pointers who , with the reduced standard, will become the next generation of heat leaders.The likes of Josh Embleton will double his average based on that so let’s look around at the least experienced lads out there.

Id throw in the name of the likes of Greg Blair who is on the comeback. Seen him at Redcar in 2020 and he’s already on the pace, he’s experienced enough and has been unlucky with injuries and don't think he’s actually ever had a full season under his belt . He’ll score points and be entertaining to watch and he’d be an ideal rider to step up into the diamonds side if required!

 

 

[Sings4Speedway]

18 minutes ago, Ringitsneck said:

Great news that we are going full on in the NL full rather than just the cup competition and I appreciate we need to balance the team with the number of local untried youngsters in there but Max Clegg should not be in there.

Nothing against the lad but he’s been riding as a professional for about nine years, he was in the Elite league draft system in 2014 and he is way too good for the NL. Add the fact that the pressure of doing the previous championship match and then being expected to clean up doing another 5 rides afterwards is just too much to put on him. This is supposed to be a development division , he isn’t going to learn anything that he doesn’t already know. Yes, he will be a big scoring number 1 but isn’t the point of the exercise to give new youngsters opportunities ? There are bound to be clashes of fixtures away from home so he will miss meetings anyway and there won’t be many 10-11 point averaged guests knocking about!
I know we need a competitive team but there’s room there to bring in two less experienced 5-6 pointers who , with the reduced standard, will become the next generation of heat leaders.The likes of Josh Embleton will double his average based on that so let’s look around at the least experienced lads out there.

Id throw in the name of the likes of Greg Blair who is on the comeback. Seen him at Redcar in 2020 and he’s already on the pace, he’s experienced enough and has been unlucky with injuries and don't think he’s actually ever had a full season under his belt . He’ll score points and be entertaining to watch and he’d be an ideal rider to step up into the diamonds side if required!

 

 

The point you make about Josh and the team building limit is quite valid. Riders need to be careful, too good a run of form in a short season could easily see averages increase by 3-4 points, now not knocking Josh just using him as an example but if he ends the season on an 8.5 average will he truly get signed up as a number 1 next year? If not and he doesn't land a CL spot he could just as quickly be frozen out of the sport as he got into it. If the team building average is set low then it needs to stay low for the next few seasons at least but riders must be prepared that success via artificially inflated averages will come at a cost to some.

[Gunner85]

Great to see Newcastle in the league.

Good luck in 2021.... except when you meet the Colts !!!!!!!

[phillwhitewasmad]

With the team average been low naturally lots of riders will increase there average sizeably. But with this surely the following year it will make riders like max unusable so we won't have the constant stream of he's to good to be there posts. 

[Sings4Speedway]

2 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

With the team average been low naturally lots of riders will increase there average sizeably. But with this surely the following year it will make riders like max unusable so we won't have the constant stream of he's to good to be there posts. 

I would have thought a 10 point average with the current building was unusable but here we are. Yes if he ends up on 12-13 then maybe but if he ends on 10ish again he could get a place again next year but an improving 3 pointer who ended on 6 could miss out. 

[phillwhitewasmad]

1 hour ago, Sings4Speedway said:

I would have thought a 10 point average with the current building was unusable but here we are. Yes if he ends up on 12-13 then maybe but if he ends on 10ish again he could get a place again next year but an improving 3 pointer who ended on 6 could miss out. 

Agree totally but do feel they powers that be ensure those riders who's average inflates due to the low average should be looked after especially the younger ones or newcomers. 
also I have no axe to grind with max hope he gets his opportunities in the leagues above 

[Sings4Speedway]

29 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

Agree totally but do feel they powers that be ensure those riders who's average inflates due to the low average should be looked after especially the younger ones or newcomers. 
also I have no axe to grind with max hope he gets his opportunities in the leagues above 

Agreed but sadly they won't.  Last time the team building was cut low it lasted a season before upping it again. It still cast riders adrift because despite 2 riders averaging 8 in different seasons wont be comparable if one season had a 35 limit and the other a 40 limit.

[szkocjasid]

On 2/22/2021 at 11:50 AM, StevePark said:

 

Yeah, I stupidly looked at 2019, rather than the abandoned 2020 team lists.  If they want to encourage new riders, then 2.00 would be better than 3.00 in my opinion too, all they have to do is drop the points limit accordingly, so teams are not overly "top heavy." 

You don't need to lower the minimum limit from 3.00 to 2.00 to encourage newcommers, as the limit is low every year, clubs will always need 3.00 men to fill the bottom end of the team!

[szkocjasid]

On 2/22/2021 at 9:41 AM, *JJ said:

About five years ago, I commented that Clegg was too good for the NL: he certainly is now. He should have moved on a long time ago.

If a Premiership club gave him a team spot he wouldn't be riding in the NL!

[Skodaman]

On 2/22/2021 at 12:57 PM, Sings4Speedway said:

The point you make about Josh and the team building limit is quite valid. Riders need to be careful, too good a run of form in a short season could easily see averages increase by 3-4 points, now not knocking Josh just using him as an example but if he ends the season on an 8.5 average will he truly get signed up as a number 1 next year? If not and he doesn't land a CL spot he could just as quickly be frozen out of the sport as he got into it. If the team building average is set low then it needs to stay low for the next few seasons at least but riders must be prepared that success via artificially inflated averages will come at a cost to some.

As per Connor Mountain!

[Sings4Speedway]

22 minutes ago, Skodaman said:

As per Connor Mountain!

Perfect example of a good British rider making his way nicely in the sport with good steady progress and could potentially end up being cast aside rather than making the grade of PL heat leader i believe he could achieve. 

[enotian]

On 2/22/2021 at 12:04 AM, Dandelion said:

BRILLIANT NEWS!! Not only does this mean that we must be riding in the league itself rather than the trophy, it means the Max can be more involved within the club, which can only be a good thing. Nice to see Danny, Josh and Archie all getting team places, being Newcastle born and bred and good to see club asset Joe getting a team place. Wonder if Josh out performs Joe in the Gems how long Joe will last as the Diamonds' number 7? A lot of pressure and friendly rivalry in the team, which is good.

1. Max Clegg 10.14

2. Josh Embleton 4.83

3. 

4. Joe Alcock 4.36

5. 

6. Danny Smith 3.00

7. Archie Freeman 3.00

Total: 22.33

Left: ?.??

The main question is now. What is the points limit, and how much do we have left to play with for the final 2 riders. Personally would like to see Jamie Halder back, but not sure whether that'll happen, all will come clear soon I'm sure.

P.S. THJ, you got any clues?

I know Max Clegg has been named but I'm not sure if that's a good idea for him or the league.  I'd rather see someone like Jack Smith or Joe Lawler pushing for a CL place. I guess the old Stoke assets come into the equation but it would be great to see Harry McGurk in one of the 2nd string roles.

[Sings4Speedway]

3 minutes ago, enotian said:

I know Max Clegg has been named but I'm not sure if that's a good idea for him or the league.  I'd rather see someone like Jack Smith or Joe Lawler pushing for a CL place. I guess the old Stoke assets come into the equation but it would be great to see Harry McGurk in one of the 2nd string roles.

Lawlor at Leicester? Smith has really gone off the boil.  I agree and dont see many benefits for Clegg. The Stoke links have plenty of push for both team places but im not sure how long Alcock will remain protected. 

[Ringitsneck]

On 2/24/2021 at 11:09 PM, enotian said:

I know Max Clegg has been named but I'm not sure if that's a good idea for him or the league.  I'd rather see someone like Jack Smith or Joe Lawler pushing for a CL place. I guess the old Stoke assets come into the equation but it would be great to see Harry McGurk in one of the 2nd string roles.

Chances are at least one McGurk will be off to Belle Vue and with both Berwick and Edinburgh looking for top 5 riders to fill up their NDL sides it will be interesting to see who we pull out of the bag.

Get Blair signed up before Berwick do!

[mac101]

Ryan Terry daily signed 

[Dandelion]

9 hours ago, mac101 said:

Ryan Terry daily signed 

Pretty happy with that tbh, might not be the youngest and biggest talent, but he's a decent little rider, plenty of national league experience and will do a decent job imo. Also his partnership with Josh Embleton from Leicester will be good. Welcome Ryan, looking forward to seeing you ride Brough 

[Dandelion]

Am I right to assume that Wallinger will be the last signing?

1. Max Clegg 10.14

2. Joe Alcock 4.36

3. Ryan Terry-Daley 5.44

4. Josh Embleton 4.83

5. David Wallinger 3.87

6. Danny Smith 3.00

7. Archie Freeman 3.00

Total: 34.64

Unless if Kelsey Dugard (Who now lives up here does he not?) comes in on a 3.35 or something stupid like Paul Burnett comes in from his Stoke days, I don't see what other logical rider there is. What average is Greg Blair coming in on? Can we steal him from Berwick?

Hope it's an interesting name whatever it is... A returning Jason King or Derek Sneddon on an assessed 4.00 average  Haha

[phillwhitewasmad]

6 minutes ago, Dandelion said:

Am I right to assume that Wallinger will be the last signing?

1. Max Clegg 10.14

2. Joe Alcock 4.36

3. Ryan Terry-Daley 5.44

4. Josh Embleton 4.83

5. David Wallinger 3.87

6. Danny Smith 3.00

7. Archie Freeman 3.00

Total: 34.64

Unless if Kelsey Dugard (Who now lives up here does he not?) comes in on a 3.35 or something stupid like Paul Burnett comes in from his Stoke days, I don't see what other logical rider there is. What average is Greg Blair coming in on? Can we steal him from Berwick?

Hope it's an interesting name whatever it is... A returning Jason King or Derek Sneddon on an assessed 4.00 average  Haha

That team is as I believe this league should be several up and coming riders and a couple of experienced ones to pass on advice and encouragement and score a few points. A very similar thing to scunthorpe in 2005 with Wayne Carter as the experience and a load of young lads with limited experience. 
 

[Dandelion]

15 minutes ago, phillwhitewasmad said:

That team is as I believe this league should be several up and coming riders and a couple of experienced ones to pass on advice and encouragement and score a few points. A very similar thing to scunthorpe in 2005 with Wayne Carter as the experience and a load of young lads with limited experience. 
 

Exactly... "Older" riders should be allowed to ride in this league, despite what everyone argues... Put a team of teens together and it'd be carnage, and who are they gonna learn things like setups from???