Assuming that the rumoured 45 points for the PL is confirmed, here are some idle speculations about the shape of the Edinburgh side for 2000.

It appears unlikely that Monarchs will be able to keep their current top five riders. It is just about possible to retain the current top four and Blair Scott if a couple of three point reserves are drafted in. This would leave the team rather unbalanced unless Edinburgh can discover another Ross Brady.

It appears that at least one rider will have to go. With two of the above five riders being on loan, this may be forced on the promotion.

The options for each position are listed below:

Heat Leader 1

There is little doubt here that Peter Carr is the chice everyone wants to see in this position. He is a Monarchs asset and has publically stated that he has no intention of riding for anyone else. It is down to agreeing terms and possibly looking to see how some pressure could be lifted from him to restoring his scoring away from home. His GSA is 9.56 according to my calculations. He can increase this if he can improve his gating on away tracks.

Heat Leader 2

Again, everyone's choice appears James Grieves. He remains a Wolves asset but appears to be out of their plans for next year. He has hinted that he wants to stay at Armadale but there may be competition. Setting up a loan deal or a transfer from Wolves should be possible provided that terms and sponsorship can be sorted out. His average is likely to be 9.11. This has been depressed by his mid-season rib injuries. He has the potential to push this above ten points given an injury-free season.

If a deal for James cannot be arranged, the obvious replacement will be Robert Eriksson who has a similar average of around nine points. He is a Monarchs asset. Robert has proved that there are few better around Armadale although James on balance has slightly more potential on away tracks.

Heat Leader 3

This will probably come down to a choice between Ross Brady and Kevin Little since it is difficult to build a balanced team within 45 points containing Kevin and Ross assuming Peter Carr and James Grieves are in place.

Ross has to be favourite after finishing the season on a high note. Ross is a Peterborough asset and Edinburgh have been given exclusive rights to speak to Ross at the moment. It appears to be a matter of sorting out sponsorship and terms as Ross indicated he is happy to stay. Ross has an average of 6.90 and should be capable of adding at least a couple of points to that next year.

Kevin has finished the season badly but comes on an attractively low average of 7.90 which he should be capable of improving on. Kevin is a Monarchs asset and will be a strong favourite for the position if Ross is not signed. Kevin was outstanding early in the season but never scored the same after breaking a bone in his wrist in mid-season.

Second string 1

Blair Scott is the obvious choice for a second string role. He finished the season in fine style despite struggling at many away tracks. His average is around 5.50 points. Blair is a Monarchs' asset and wants to stay but is perhaps looking for a bit more respect from the promotion.

Second string 2

There are number of candidates here but one strong possibility is Robban Johansson. Robban is an Edinburgh asset who rode for the Scottish Monarchs in 1996 in the combined 'old' Premier League before moving on to Long Eaton. He averaged just under 6 points, a similar score to Robert Eriksson. He will come in on a low average of around four and a half points because of his spell with Elite League Eastbourne in 1998. Monarchs tried to sign him to replace the injured Stewart McDonald but he declined for personal reasons. He could be capable of averaging eight to nine points in the Premier League and Monarchs might have another crack at signing him.

There are plenty of alternatives that could be fitted in including Monarchs' assets Paul Gould and Barry Campbell or Stewart McDonald from this years' team. All could certainly do a job for Monarchs. This is probably the key position for Monarchs.

Reserve 1

David McAllan has done sufficient, in an injury wrecked season, to warrent another chance. He has been hampered by poor gating but is impressive coming from behind, at least at Armadale. David has the style to progress if he could sharpen up his starting. He is another Monarchs' asset and has an average of 3.93 points.

Reserve 2

Brian Turner was another injury victim and only had one match unaffected by injury. He did enough against Arena Essex to show that he could be a real star at reserve around Armadale. He is not a Monarchs asset and a loan deal or a transfer will need to be sorted out.

Team

Peter Carr (9.56)
James Grieves (9.11)
Ross Brady (6.90)
Blair Scott (5.50)
Robban Johansson (4.40)
David McAllan (3.93)
Brian Turner (3.78)

The team listed above come in well within the proposed 45 point limit. It would still be OK should Kevin Little (7.90) replace Ross Brady. Equally Robert Eriksson could come in for James Grieves. Barry Campbell, Stewart McDonald and possibly Paul Gould could come in at second string.

In terms of race order it will be tempting to retain James Grieves at number 1 and Peter Carr at number 5 with Ross Brady stepping up to number 3. This would entail Blair Scott returning to the number 2 position where he struggled earlier this season. The other second string would partner Ross Brady and go in at number 4.

Blair Scott might benifit from being given a run at number 4 but would not be an ideal partner for Ross Brady since both like the outside line. One possibility is to take a radical step and move Peter Carr to number 3 to partner Blair Scott and shift Ross Brady to number 5.

There is little doubt that Ross could cope with the number 5 position. He has guested several times at number 5 for Exeter, Newport, and Berwick and has not looked out of place with some double figure scores. Moving Peter Carr to number 3 might take the pressure off him and help him recover his away form. It would represent a major gamble but might be worth trying. For this strategy to work it will depend on solid scoring by the reserves partnering Ross.

Sheffield and Newport will have to destrengthen considerably to meet a 45 point limit while most other teams would have to make modest reductions in strength. The above team could be very useful in the Premier League.

Monarchs certainly have the asset base and the potential to put together a team capable of challenging for honours and winning something.