he cut off date for the June Green Sheet Averages is on Monday. Since Monarchs do not have a match until Wednesday, last Friday's win over Newcastle will be that last fixture to be included.

Ross Brady has now completed his three home and three away matches this season so will get a 2000 average. Having moved up to heat leader last week on the basis of his 1999 average, Brady will drop down to second string next month with Kevin Little moving back up again. Ross will have five more matches at heat leader to show what he can do including tough away matches at Hull, Sheffield and Arena Essex.

David McAllan who was brought back in to replace Brian Turner has yet to ride having missed out on the Newcastle clash so retains his 1999 average.

The results in current race order are as follows:

		M	R	1	2	3	4	N	P	B	T	June GSA	May GSA
1	Robert Eriksson	8	42	26	7	7	1	1	99	4	103	9.81	9.63
2	Kevin Little	7	33	6	11	8	4	4	48	4	52	6.30	6.21
3	Peter Carr	8	42	26	11	1	0	4	101	3	104	9.90	9.88
4	Blair Scott	8	35	3	8	13	11	0	38	5	43	4.91	5.04
5	Ross Brady	6	20	3	4	5	6	2	22	3	25	5.00	6.73
6	David McAllan	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	3.83	3.83
7	Christian Henry	8	39	4	4	12	10	9	31	3	35	3.59	3.45
	Others	8	30	1	4	4	14	7	15	2	17	-	-
	Total	8	241	69	50	50	46	27	355	23	379	43.35	44.75

The figures illustrate why Edinburgh have struggled so far in that only Peter Carr and Robert Eriksson have consistently won races. The top two are exempt from any critisism have way exceeded expectations with 26 heat wins wach from 42 rides. Kevin Little has had a disappinting start with only 6 heat wins from 33 rides. Ross Brady has fared even worse with 4 race wins from 20 rides, although there are signs that he is regaining some form.

Christian Henry can be reasonably pleased with his reurns although the number of non-finishes (engine failures, retirements, falls, exclusions, etc) at 9 could be improved.

The detailed averges are given in the following location:

Monarchs Averages

The encouraging side of these statistics is the way that most of the Edinburgh riders are producing away from home. Carr, Eriksson, Scott and Henry all are scoring almost as well on the road as a Armadale. Peter Carr's away average is 98% of his home average. The figure for Eriksson is 96% and it is 88% for Scott and Henry. Ross Brady has hardly got going this season following his foot injury but usually reserves his best performances for away matches. The one rider with the real problems away from home is Kevin Little. This is largely down to machine problems.

The total adds up to 43.35 which gives Monarchs some scope for team changes if this is thought necessary from June 1st. Given that David McAllan is likely to be 'on probation' to test his form and fitness to see if he is ready for a return the Premier League. Before any change can be made, Edinburgh should have completed their Premier National Trophy qualifiers with home and away fixtures against Hull and Sheffield and started their Premier League campaign at Arena Essex. That will give plenty of time to see how the current line-up is likely to do.

If McAllan is replaced, Monarchs would have 5.48 points available. This is within the points band that few riders are available. A couple of ex-Monarchs that spring to mind are Stewart McDonald (5.37) and Peter Scully (5.04). Both appear to have decided not to race this year but may be open to pursuasion.

Two Monarchs' assets that will not fit in are Stefano Alfonso (6.60) and Paul Gould (5.95). One intruiging possibility is Edinburgh asset Robban Johansson who who last rode for Monarchs at Shawfield in 1996. He would come in on an average of around 4.40 because of a 2.20 Elite League average with Eastbourne the years before last. He has a good record in Sweden and averged 6.02 in the combined British Premier League with Monarchs and slightly more after moving in mid-season to Long Eaton. Robban is understood to have turned down a bid to take him to Monarchs last year to replace the injured Stewart McDonald. There is nothing to suggest that he has changed his mind in the meantime. Major sponsorship would also be required to cover air fares to Sweden, so that option looks a bit of a long shot.

Bringing in a new five-point rider would also have the effect of putting Blair Scott down at reserve and should improve his scoring.

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