IPSWICH v FOXES, PREVIEW
NEW-LOOK Northampton Foxes go into action for the first time since a team re-shuffle when they travel to Ipswich in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership on Thursday (7.30pm).
The Foxes have made two changes to their line-up with 2021 British Champion Adam Ellis and exciting Australian talent Mitch McDiarmid joining the club.
Ironically Ellis has spent the last two seasons with the Witches, whilst McDiarmid served notice of his potential with an impressive score of paid-11 in a guest appearance at Belle Vue on Monday.
There are changes elsewhere as new August averages are now in force, meaning Niels-Kristian Iversen takes over at No.1 with Jaimon Lidsey slotting in at No.5. Ellis forms a new middle-order combination with skipper Nicolai Klindt whilst Kye Thomson retains the No.2 berth.
The home side are under some pressure to get back into the play-off places as King’s Lynn’s home win over Sheffield on Monday dropped the Witches out of the top four.
Paul Hurry’s side also lost the KO Cup Final to Leicester last week, but they have only been beaten once at home this season – although Northampton’s record at Foxhall has been good, as on both previous visits they have gone down by just four points.
Team manager Chris Adams said: “Obviously there have been two changes to the team since our last meeting at Sheffield, where we were beaten.
“As a club we needed to make changes for the last quarter of the season - not only for hopefully better results, but also looking forward and into next year.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Mitchell make his first appearance as a Fox. I feel he has been having a great season with Oxford, and he certainly turned some heads guesting for Belle Vue on Monday.
“Adam also comes into the side, and he rode for Ipswich last year, so having been there on a number of occasions this season and coming close to a win I’m hoping that our fortunes change and we can finish the season strong.
“We’re taking nothing for granted and we know it’s going to be a very tough meeting, as Ipswich are very strong at home.
“But our boys are going with positivity as always, and we shall be going there looking for a win as with every other meeting we go to.”
Foxes fans not making the trip to Foxhall can follow all the action via the live stream at https://witchestv.co.uk/ , and live score updates will be available from https://live.britishspeedway.co.uk/ .
IPSWICH: Richard Lawson, Scott Nicholls, Danny King, Tom Brennan, Tobiasz Musielak, Kevin Juhl Pedersen, Jason Edwards.
NORTHAMPTON: Niels-Kristian Iversen, Kye Thomson, Nicolai Klindt, Adam Ellis, Jaimon Lidsey, Mitch McDiarmid, Luke Harrison.