Post by admin on Mar 30, 2011 16:01:56 GMT
Courtesy of Skysports, J Chapman:
Team-by-team
Jonathan also gave us his insight into each of the ten teams in the Elite League - beginning with his own beloved Stars.
King's Lynn:
"To do anything more than play-offs would be mind-blowing, we made the jump after having our team ready for the Premier League and had to build from scratch, our main aim is to finish mid-table, but play-offs would be great.
"But now looking at teams, I think we have made the right decisions - you need to be strong in Heats 13 and 15, they are pivotal.
"From what I have seen so far, we have gone the right way with Bjerre and Iversen. I even think Iversen could end up the season as number one, he is fitter than I have ever seen him and is very focussed this year.
"Olly Allen is also a key part of the team, even more so now he is captain."
Belle Vue
"I think they will be the only team starting a point and half under and being gutted at that.
"I like Belle Vue because of Bomber, great signing and fantastic - and I like Gjedde - I think they are both great signings and are my pick from them.
"They need Bomber to be a 9-point man and Gjedde to put two on his, they are the two key men for them."
Birmingham
"They haven't started strong, although there doesn't mean to say they will start that way. KK is good enough on his day, but it depends if he turns up and performs, I just wouldn't fancy him putting anything on his average.
"I love Dan King to bits and if there is anywhere for him to go and get the best out of him it would be here, but I am not sure what he will add to his.
"I would put points in Birmingham's team with Claus Vissing, who is unfortunately injured now, but I struggle with the rest of the team."
Coventry
"They look solid. I think Josh Auty seems to be sensational at the minute and he could be a key signing for them.
"England needs the next sort of Chris Harris and I think Josh could be that and make it.
"Hans Andersen could also easily put a point on his, great number one and Ed [Kennett] has to put something on his starting figure.
"And I don't fancy anyone in their side to lose any points so don't think they will lose many."
Eastbourne
"Eastbourne are my pick to win the league. Eastbourne have made some very, very astute signings. Lewis Bridger at reserve is sensational, he is capable of scoring 21-points and now many riders are capable of that - that lad can win any race he is in.
"They have built a team that has so much potential. My only worry would have been Bjarne Pedersen and how committed he would be, but I think they can get their 5-1s.
"Nobody will go to Eastbourne and win this year which is part of the battle and over two-legs they are a match, so all they need to do is get into the top-four at the end of the season.
"And they have Taylor Poole as number 8 and I would have had him at King's Lynn as one our double-up riders but we had already filled our places.
Lakeside
"They are not a team I get too excited about.
"They just don't get me going, I don't get excited like I with Eastbourne.
"Solid, but unspectacular is what I would say."
Peterborough
"Fantastic for British speedway that Nicki is back. Nicki we spoke to him about a job here, so I know he is committed.
"I would imagine it is a good signing for Peterborough, just his points average might be damaged.
"Troy Batchelor was in our thinking, but not for long.
;D
"But for sure they will be play-off material and I would pick them to finish above Coventry."
Poole
"Even though Eastbourne is my tip, everyone likes an outsider, Poole are going to be the favourites.
"I think if you looked at the riders individually, Holder, Watt and Ward they are all eight to nine point riders they could all finish the season on that.
"Denis Andersson too. I find it amazing he is on a four-point average when Coventry were happy to take him on a five, I think they, on paper, are starting the season with a point advantage on everyone else which is a shame.
"If everyone thought Andersson was on a four, then he would have had ten offers and not one. If I had known that then I would have bid for him and maybe he could improve to a six."
Swindon
"It is great to have a team with the British riders in and around their track they will be fine, but away I think they will struggle.
"You have to feel sorry for them losing Zengota, but not for the play-offs."
Wolves
"Very impressive top-five but really don't know what to make of their reserves.
"Irrelevant of what reserves I think they have a good enough team to see them through and are definite title contenders.
"PK is a genius signing for them, forget Andersson, Pedersen - that is the stand-out signing above anyone - very astute, always been a master of what he does and without the worries of GPs he will be a master of this league and will clear up."
Team-by-team
Jonathan also gave us his insight into each of the ten teams in the Elite League - beginning with his own beloved Stars.
King's Lynn:
"To do anything more than play-offs would be mind-blowing, we made the jump after having our team ready for the Premier League and had to build from scratch, our main aim is to finish mid-table, but play-offs would be great.
"But now looking at teams, I think we have made the right decisions - you need to be strong in Heats 13 and 15, they are pivotal.
"From what I have seen so far, we have gone the right way with Bjerre and Iversen. I even think Iversen could end up the season as number one, he is fitter than I have ever seen him and is very focussed this year.
"Olly Allen is also a key part of the team, even more so now he is captain."
Belle Vue
"I think they will be the only team starting a point and half under and being gutted at that.
"I like Belle Vue because of Bomber, great signing and fantastic - and I like Gjedde - I think they are both great signings and are my pick from them.
"They need Bomber to be a 9-point man and Gjedde to put two on his, they are the two key men for them."
Birmingham
"They haven't started strong, although there doesn't mean to say they will start that way. KK is good enough on his day, but it depends if he turns up and performs, I just wouldn't fancy him putting anything on his average.
"I love Dan King to bits and if there is anywhere for him to go and get the best out of him it would be here, but I am not sure what he will add to his.
"I would put points in Birmingham's team with Claus Vissing, who is unfortunately injured now, but I struggle with the rest of the team."
Coventry
"They look solid. I think Josh Auty seems to be sensational at the minute and he could be a key signing for them.
"England needs the next sort of Chris Harris and I think Josh could be that and make it.
"Hans Andersen could also easily put a point on his, great number one and Ed [Kennett] has to put something on his starting figure.
"And I don't fancy anyone in their side to lose any points so don't think they will lose many."
Eastbourne
"Eastbourne are my pick to win the league. Eastbourne have made some very, very astute signings. Lewis Bridger at reserve is sensational, he is capable of scoring 21-points and now many riders are capable of that - that lad can win any race he is in.
"They have built a team that has so much potential. My only worry would have been Bjarne Pedersen and how committed he would be, but I think they can get their 5-1s.
"Nobody will go to Eastbourne and win this year which is part of the battle and over two-legs they are a match, so all they need to do is get into the top-four at the end of the season.
"And they have Taylor Poole as number 8 and I would have had him at King's Lynn as one our double-up riders but we had already filled our places.
Lakeside
"They are not a team I get too excited about.
"They just don't get me going, I don't get excited like I with Eastbourne.
"Solid, but unspectacular is what I would say."
Peterborough
"Fantastic for British speedway that Nicki is back. Nicki we spoke to him about a job here, so I know he is committed.
"I would imagine it is a good signing for Peterborough, just his points average might be damaged.
"Troy Batchelor was in our thinking, but not for long.
;D"But for sure they will be play-off material and I would pick them to finish above Coventry."
Poole
"Even though Eastbourne is my tip, everyone likes an outsider, Poole are going to be the favourites.
"I think if you looked at the riders individually, Holder, Watt and Ward they are all eight to nine point riders they could all finish the season on that.
"Denis Andersson too. I find it amazing he is on a four-point average when Coventry were happy to take him on a five, I think they, on paper, are starting the season with a point advantage on everyone else which is a shame.
"If everyone thought Andersson was on a four, then he would have had ten offers and not one. If I had known that then I would have bid for him and maybe he could improve to a six."
Swindon
"It is great to have a team with the British riders in and around their track they will be fine, but away I think they will struggle.
"You have to feel sorry for them losing Zengota, but not for the play-offs."
Wolves
"Very impressive top-five but really don't know what to make of their reserves.
"Irrelevant of what reserves I think they have a good enough team to see them through and are definite title contenders.
"PK is a genius signing for them, forget Andersson, Pedersen - that is the stand-out signing above anyone - very astute, always been a master of what he does and without the worries of GPs he will be a master of this league and will clear up."