While Berwick have made all the headlines with their team changes and suggestions of average manipulation, this week's visitors Hull have also been ringing the changes. Indeed any examination of their new line-up will confirm that they have done rather better than the Borderers in this respect.
Hull had a great season in 2000 and seemed to have strengthened their side during the winter by adding David Walsh as a heat leader. However they made a poor start to the season, with the result that they have been able to introduce Paul Bentley and Ross Brady at the expense of Lee Dicken and Justin Elkins, a substantial strengthening.
The fact that Paul Thorp has been relegated to second string with the signing of Paul Bentley and there was still enough room to introduce Ross Brady at reserve may have raised a few eyebrows. It is an advert for the benefits of starting the season badly and something that the sport's authorities will be looking at over the winter.
Hull appear to have achieved quietly what Berwick have failed to do and built a potential championship winning team. They did nothing as blatent as Berwick and maybe their poor start was down to their delayed start as they lost their first two home matches to the weather and were behind all their rivals in match fitness.
Lee Dicken was especially unlucky because he had raised his starting average by over a point to 7.50, which makes him very difficult for any side to fit in. In spite of press speculation, he is not a realistic target for Monarchs due to that high average.
Peter Carr rates the Hull side highly and has suggested that this Friday's match could prove to be the toughest that Monarchs have yet faced. It is easy to understand why Peter Carr sees Hull as the strongest opposition to come to Armadale this season.
David Walsh has an exceptional Armadale record and has been on the winning side with both Newcastle and Berwick at the track. Paul Thorp must also be rated a major danger. He won the Race of the Season vote last winter for a sensational win over Peter Carr in August 2000. And of course at reserve they have Ross Brady, Monarch of the past two seasons.
Quite an array, when you add in heat leaders Paul Bentley and Garry Stead, plus another dangerous reserve in Mike Smith and a promising young second string, Jamie Smith. Mike Smith did suffer an injury in Hull's midweek thrashing of Newcastle and there is no news if he will be fit for Friday.
Last season, Hull provided Monarchs with two very tough matches at Armadale although many of the riders who did the damage then will not be riding. Notable last year were guest Ray Morton, current Monarch René Aas, and Lee Dicken. The new Vikings will be a major test of the Monarchs' current quality. If Monarchs throw away points as they have done a time or two this season they are likely to lose.
Teams for the Premier National Trophy Match at Armadale on Friday 11th May (start time 7.30, doors open 6.30) are:
Edinburgh Monarchs: Robert Eriksson, Blair Scott, Peter Carr (capt.), René Aas, Jan Andersen, Christian Henry, Derek Sneddon.
Hull Vikings: Paul Bentley, Jamie Smith, Garry Stead, Paul Thorp, David Walsh, Ross Brady, Mike Smith.
With qualification now beyond Edinburgh, Monarchs may do some experimenting with bike setups. Peter Carr has a new engine prepared, more suitable for big tracks, and intends to use it on Friday.
"I must test it in a match some time," he said. "I know Hull are a strong side and I could struggle in Friday's match."
Monarchs reserves are likely to face a tough task against the likes of Ross Brady and Mike Smith, if fit, so it may be time for Monarchs' middle-order of Jan Andersen, Blair Scott and René Aas to stand up and be counted.