Will practice make perfect for Manuel? (From Swindon Advertiser)

Will practice make perfect for Manuel?

8:35am Thursday 26th June 2008 in

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MANUEL Hauzinger will take part in a behind-closed-doors practice session ahead of tonight's Elite League clash with Wolverhampton as he bids to recapture the form of his dazzling Blunsdon bow.

The five-time Austrian champion made an immediate tyre-mark at the Abbey with eight points on his debut against Eastbourne, but has posted just paid two in the three meetings since.

Problems with his frame and clutch have not helped matters, with Hauzinger failing to get on the scoreboard in Robins' recent victories over Poole and Peterborough.

Swindon chief Alun Rossiter is confident Hauzinger will break his recent duck, but has urged supporters not to expect too much from a man about to embark on his fifth ever Elite League outing.

"Manuel will be doing some behind-closed-doors practice to try and get him firing again," Rosco revealed.

"He has been disappointing in the last two meetings but it has certainly not been for the want of trying.

"He has had some problems with his frame and has made some changes to his clutch, so hopefully the adjustments will help.

"He had a fantastic first meeting for us but we cannot expect that every week.

"We brought him here to score three or four points from the reserve berth and hopefully he can do that against Wolverhampton."

Ahead of tonight's encounter - Swindon's eighth meeting in the last 24 days - Rossiter has revamped his riding order.

Aussie Travis McGowan has moved to number five, with Troy Batchelor's rider replacement facility shuffled to four.

Rosco explained: "I just felt we needed to freshen things up so I have changed the line-up.

"I still feel that Seb (Alden) is a bit vulnerable though, which is why I want to keep him with Leigh Adams.

"People tell me that Travis rides better with Leigh but I have got three other races to think about as well.

"And though Travis is still not setting the world alight I do feel he is improving.

"Everyone is entitled to their opinion, I'm just doing what I think is best for the team."

Wolves arrive at the Abbey still licking their wounds from a crushing 102-82 aggregate defeat to Eastbourne in the Knockout Cup.

Robins also had their wings clipped at the quarter final stage, but last Thursday's thrilling fightback against Poole has the Swindon riders brimming with confidence.

"I am confident we will beat Wolves but you can't afford to take anybody lightly in the Elite League," said Rossiter.

"One thing that may work in our favour is that Nicolai Klindt has moved from reserve to the main body of their team.

"He enjoyed the big track environment last time he came here and I think he scored paid 14, but I think this could work in our favour."