2002 Premier League preview.

As it has so in recent years, the Premier League has a very open look about it with a number of teams in with realistic title chances. Although the 'usual suspects' of Hull, Swindon, Isle of Wight, Newcastle, Workington and Sheffield should all be up there when it matters there are one or two potential springers in the pack. Berwick look useful and Stoke might surprise a few. Let's take a subjective look.

Arena Essex
What a coup to tempt ex-England international and multi world longtrack champion Kelvin Tatum back in to regular speedway. But that average of 11.38 is impossible to ride to and also means that that the Hammers have to begin with a very weak looking trio at the bottom of the side. However, second heat leader Leigh Lanham is a very capable and talented rider to back up Tatum. Colin White has few peers around his home track and Sean Tacey can do much better than he did in 2001. The pressure is really on that top four. For the Hammers to avoid a mid table (or worse) placing come October either Andy Galvin, Lee Herne or Scott Courtney must find a significant amount of improvement.

Berwick
The Bandits have a look of 'dark horses' about them. Don't write them off. A very solid side all the way through with potential for improvement everywhere. Paul Bentley has been there and done it. Claus Kristensen is going the right way. Kevin Doolan gets a run after looking not too bad with Belle Vue a couple of seasons ago. The Czech duo of Makovsky and Rymel should improve on their debut seasons. Steffen Mell could be a real capture slotting in at reserve and Simon Cartwright not too long ago was much better than a 3.67 rider. Keep and eye on Berwick.

Edinburgh
Frede Schott returns to British racing on an impossible to maintain starting average of 11.00. Points must be found elsewhere in the side to make up for what Schott will drop. Peter Carr is always good for around ten a meeting. Dalle Andersson is arguably just short of real third heat leader material. The Australian trio of Christian Henry, Ben Shields and Rory Schlein catch the eye as steady improvers but not big enough improvers to make the crucial difference. But what about Theo Pijper. The Dutchman comes is on just a 3.00 average for his debut season and by all accounts is much better than that. Mid table Monarchs?

Exeter
Expect the Falcons to enjoy their usual home dominance but not fare so well on their travels. Michael Coles is class anywhere. Mark Simmonds generally struggles away from home. Lawrence Hare is value and genuine. Roger Lobb gets a chance to resurrect his career after 'that' ban. Bobby Eldridge is steady enough. Krister Marsh is as good a reserve as there is in the league and Matt Cambridge is back after a broken thigh. Overall, this septet look a little too lightweight do be contenders.

Glasgow
The Tigers team bringing in a new number one on an unrealistically high average. This time it's George Stancl on a massive 10.74. Undoubtedly a very good rider but he won't be on 10.74 come the end of the season. James Grieves is steady enough without being spectacular. Mick Powell is back with the club and also back from a long-term injury. The very experienced Martin Dixon is another new face as is Kenny Olsson. Can't see Glasgow sitting at the top of the table but they shouldn't be at the bottom either.

Hull
Potential champions. A very solid looking side put together with power and potential all the way down. Robbie Kessler arrives on loan from Sheffield. Now over his health troubles of last season, the German is raring to go and can be a ten point man at this level. Kessler's fellow heat leaders Paul Thorp and Garry Stead are real value. Ross Brady is not far from heat leader class and Jamie Smith came on in leaps and bounds last year and can keep the momentum going. Young Lee Smethills joins and slots in nicely at reserve. He had a blinding winter in Australia and could add chunks to his average. Vikings look to have it all again.

Isle of Wight
After a very successful 2001, can the Islanders keep it up in 2002. A very good top four of Ray Morton, Adam Shields, Danny Bird and Sebastian Tresarrieu suggests that the answer is 'yes' but the next question surrounds the other three riders. Matt Read is brought in from Arena Essex after sitting out last season looking to take the chance to get his career going again. The reserve pair of Nick Simmonds and Daniel Giffard might be a little lightweight although Giffard. That must make the answer to the second question 'maybe'. But that said, their powerful top four should mean they'll win more meetings than they'll lose.

Newcastle
After unearthing Nicki Pedersen and Bjarne Pedersen as major world talents the Diamonds go for a hat-trick with Danish teenager Kenneth Bjerre. In a similar way to Kauki Niemenen at Workington, Bjerre is the key to the Diamond's season. If he lives up to that 9.00 assessed average the club could retain the title won in 2001. Andre Compton, Jesper Olsen and Kevin Little all know what it's about and can beat anyone, anywhere. Rob Grant should continue on the upward curve. If Bjerre's as good as they say then it's another good season in Newcastle.

Newport
The Wasps look to have a real sting about them. Craig Watson is back at the track he performed so well at before going Elite with Poole. Another old hero - Frank Smart - returns also as does Ben Howe. Scott Smith (the Australian one) can build on an excellent debut season and progress. Lee Dicken seems like he's been around forever but is still only 23. But what price Carl Wilkinson improving leaps and bounds on that 3.00 average. Showed up well while racing with the Young Great Britain side in Australia banging in some big scores. Title potential.

Reading
Received a pre-season shock with the news that new number one Tomas Topinka would be refused a work permit then moved swiftly to bring in Anders Henriksson as replacement - and a good replacement at that. Phil Morris and Dave Mullett are no mugs and Paul Clews is probably the best second string in the division with potential to become a heat leader. Jason Bunyan steps down after a season of struggle with Ipswich and should benefit from the move. So - a strong top five but are the reserves up to it. Chris Schramm and Brendon Mackay might find things tough but if their team mates perform to potential it will take the pressure off. Fancy the Racers to be challenging.

Premier League new boys Rye have put together a tidy looking first year squad but not one that has title potential. Nigel Sadler and Brent Werner drop down from the Elite League and are capable of doing the job. Scott Robson, Mark Courtney and Scott Swain are solid enough without being spectacular. David Mason is pretty much unbeatable at Conference League level but this is harder. Might just scrape in to the play-offs if Sadler and Werner can keep it going all season and the rest chip in.

Sheffield
Without doubt the most potent twin spearhead in the entire league - but is it enough. The names of Sean Wilson and Simon Stead will strike fear in to their opponents and guarantee huge points - but even Wilson and Stead can't win title without help and it could be something of a transitional year for the Tigers who look just short of top class. Scott Smith comes back after a long injury lay-off as a heat leader and might find it hard to live up to that. Andrew Moore is getting their slowly. Lee Complin bust on to the scene in spectacular style last year but will find it harder this season starting in the main body of the team. James Birkinshaw could be a bit of a springer with a settled run and Ricky Ashworth is a rookie thrown in at the deep end. All-in-all this seven should have few worries at home but will find it tough in their travels.

Somerset
Like Rye House, the Rebels step up from the Conference League. Mario Jirout steps down from the Elite League to take up the number one position and he should be class at this level. Neil Collins knows what it's all about and his experience should be invaluable. Glenn Cunningham has the potential to improve significantly on his average if he can get back to the form of a couple of seasons ago. David Meldrum catches the eye as another with improvement in him. But what about Malcolm Holloway. Back in to regular Premier League racing at the age of 'well over 40' Amazing! Perhaps shouldn't expect too much from the Rebels but if Cunningham and Meldrum do click - who knows.

Swindon
Charlie Gjeddes returns to the track on which he began his British racing career and can develop in to the genuine article. Paul Fry keeps going forever and starting third heat leader Oliver Allen has talent in abundance with the potential the push Gjeddes for the number one spot. An injury-free Chris Neath is excellent value along with another new signing Paul Lee. Not many gave Ritchie Hawkins much chance at the start of last season but he did tremendously well and gets another run at reserve. Huge potential for improvement underneath the points power of Gjeddes and Fry. Robins to fly high!

Stoke
Have a much better look about them that for some time, the Potters could be set for a very good season. Jan Staechmann is an all round team man as well as a number one. Paul Pickering is a Stoke legend and by bringing in Alan Moggridge the club have a good, solid heat leader trio. Tony Atkin and Mark Burrows are both experienced and capable. Lee Hodgson gets a chance at reserve and he could be the real surprise. A talented youngster and should learn much from people like Staechmann and Pickering. Top six potential for the Potters.

Trelawny
No real heat leaders - although Chris Harris has the potential to develop in to one - but some strength in depth. The sometimes brilliant but inconsistent Emiliano Sanchez is an interesting signing. Steve Masters and Seemond Stephens add to the strength in depth look. Pavel Ondrasik looked a rider with much promise last year and might be the one to come on significantly as he starts in a second string spot. But with the best will in the world it's very hard to imagine anything other than another season of struggle in Cornwall.

Workington
Lead again by the talismanic Grand Prix star Carl Stonehewer, whose presence alone is worth a few extra points, the Comets might not do as well as in previous years. 'Stoney' has a more than capable points machine in Peter Karlsson which forms a twin spearhead to match any around and Rusty Harrison is a potential-packed Aussie. But the result of gamble taken on young Finnish rider Kauko Niemenen will determine Workington's finishing position. He arrives on an assessed average of 9.00 and will do well to get near to it. If he does - success. If he does not - struggle. The Comets have a very long tail due to the high averages of the top four. Could go either way.