SPEEDWAY: Rossiter claims cup exit could be blessing in disguise (From Swindon Advertiser)

SPEEDWAY: Rossiter claims cup exit could be blessing in disguise

9:37am Monday 23rd June 2008 in Sport By Anthony Marshall

ALUN Rossiter believes the Robins' Knockout Cup exit last week may have been a blessing in disguise as they look to regain top spot in the Elite League tonight.

Swindon travel east to Peterborough tonight knowing that the league offers their only remaining chance of silverware this season, having been dumped out of the Craven Shield back in March and the Knockout Cup on Thursday night.

The Panthers are struggling in seventh place, with only five wins and 11 points to their name, and Rossiter, pictured left, knows that Swindon need to take advantage of their hosts' frailties if they are to leapfrog Poole and sit at the summit again.

"We're in with a good shout," revealed Rosco. "They haven't been doing too brilliantly at home, so we really need to make the most of that.

"But teams always seem to raise their game when they play us. They all look at it like we're a scalp, and because we're up the top we're there to be shot at. So we all need to be on our guard.

"To be honest, it may not be the worst thing in the world going out of the cups - it means we can now get completely focussed on the league and making sure we finish in the play-offs.

"An away win against Peterborough is vital and to come away from there with three points would be excellent.

"We can go top with a win so that's the plan. There's a few teams with games in hand on us, so three points is a must."

Rossiter has seen the best and worst of his men over the past seven days, with a disappointing 53-40 defeat at Poole in the Knockout Cup quarter-final first leg cancelled out by a much improved display the following day.

As it was, the Robins fell just three points short of Poole, but Rosco believes it highlights just what his side are capable of on their day.

He said: "Last week the damage was done the day before, but the fightback and effort of the lads in the second leg was excellent. I want them to show the same levels of effort and commitment and really get up for it against Peterborough.

"I wasn't impressed with James (Wright), Travis (McGowan) or Seb (Alden) after the first leg and I still want to see a bit more fire from them all.

"But in the second leg James looked really, really good and Travis even showed that there's something there. But they need to do it consistently, and if they do then we'll be a real force."

With Troy Batchelor still out of action with a fractured elbow, the Robins will operate the rider replacement facility, with everyone apart from Leigh Adams eligible for extra rides.

The Panthers welcome back Kenneth Bjerre, while Australian Ty Proctor fills their number seven berth.