ALUN Rossiter believes this week’s Charity Shield contests against Belle Vue Aces will provide a good marker of the quality of the Swindon Robins side he has put together for 2018.

Swindon enter the season as reigning SGB Premiership champions and raise the curtain on the campaign with away and home meetings against last year’s Knockout Cup winners.

Rossiter takes his troops to the Aces’ National Speedway Stadium in Manchester tonight (7.30pm) before the two teams face-off again back at the Abbey Stadium on Thursday.

Although Rossiter admits victory this week is not the be all and end all for his side, the Robins team manager thinks a battle against Belle Vue will be a strong gauge of their credentials.

“It is a big challenge ahead going to Belle Vue. We know what a great track it is, but it should hold no fear for the boys,” said Rossiter.

“We are certainly not going there to lose but it is not the end of the world if we do lose – a lot of the guys have not had much track time.

“It is a tough place to go and Belle Vue do ride their own track well, but it will give us a good marker of our level, where we need to be and if we need to improve.”

After the Charity Shield fixtures, the Robins begin their Premiership programme on March 29 when they entertain Leicester Lions.

Although Rossiter would dearly love to mastermind another title triumph, first and foremost his aim is to finish in the top four and qualify for the end-of-season play-offs.

“It is always my goal just to be in the top four,” said Rossiter.

“You can never aim for the top at this stage, just aim for the top four and then anything can happen, as we proved last year. We got beaten at home in the first leg of the final yet we went on and won it over the two legs.”

Having not seen Swindon in action since the night they were crowned champions back on October 4 last year, Rossiter cannot wait to get going again and says there is a good vibe in the camp as the new season dawns.

“We had the fans’ forum last week and press and practice day, and there is a good atmosphere building,” said Rossiter.

“I have had friends text me, who don’t usually come to the speedway, to say everyone looks bubbly and happy.

“You have got to have that in the team as it is very difficult if there isn’t that good atmosphere in the pits.”

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