SPEEDWAY: Rosco claims there is no quick fix for Robins' poor form (From Swindon Advertiser)

SPEEDWAY: Rosco claims there is no quick fix for Robins' poor form

9:17am Friday 23rd May 2008 in Sport By Andy Cryer

ALUN Rossiter insists there is no magic wand after seeing Robins crash to their first home defeat for almost two years - but did hint a couple of riders' positions were becoming increasingly precarious.

The Swindon boss, pictured left, was in defensive mood following last night's shock 51-39 hammering at home to Poole, insisting it was pointless "ranting and raving" at a below-par Travis McGowan.

McGowan's one point from four rides was just the latest of a series of shocking individual displays this campaign but Rossiter claims potential replacements are just not around the Elite League at the moment and that it was time to lay-off the Aussie.

Theo Pijper (1) and James Wright (2+1) were other disappointments but the post meeting heat was all on McGowan as Robins lost at the Abbey for the first time since June 2006.

Rossiter said: "There were three riders that did just not perform and one that was average. Everyone though has their minds just on Travis and on that performance you can understand why.

"He should be doing a lot better but like I told the guys there is no magic wand.

"Peterborough tried signing about 25 riders the other week and it just does not happen.

"Then if we lost a rider of Travis' ability and he sorts himself out and suddenly he is scoring points for someone else.

"I still have faith in Travis and I believe he will get himself sorted but he has to do it very quickly. I have the press on at me telling me it is not good enough and at the moment it is not good enough."

While Rossiter was refusing to panic at seeing his side dropfrom top spot to third, he did say some "soul searching" was needed and admitted, if the opportunity arose, he would not be shy in ringing the changes.

He said: "A couple of these riders have to go away and do some soul searching and have to come back very strong, very quickly. If there is a possibility to change things of course we will change it.

"But as I said there is no magic wand at the moment. Our concentration levels were poor and our gating was abysmal, probably the worst I have seen.

"It has been a great home record but the radio guys are grilling me saying Travis should not be getting beat by a rider like Daniel Davidsson and they are right.

"But there is nothing we can really do.

"There is not the riders out there. People are saying Travis should be shot and hung, it is terrible. We know he is under performing but there is no magic wand."