SWINDON Robins boss Alun Rossiter has admitted his frustrations with skipper Troy Batchelor but refused to criticise the Australian.

Batchelor ended a disappointing season by failing to score a single point in Monday’s play-off defeat to Belle Vue Aces.

After coming last in the opening heat, Batchelor failed to finish his next two races due to bike issues and was replaced for his final outing by Charles Wright.

The Adver tried to speak to the Australian after the meeting but were given short shrift and Rossiter put the 28-year-old’s lacklustre campaign down to a tough season of injuries.

“I am not going to criticise any of my riders, as frustrating as Troy’s performance was,” said the Abbey boss.

“He has had a tough year and has had a lot of injuries himself and I just didn’t think he was going to put himself through it.

“Of course fans are frustrated. He is a Grand Prix rider and they expect better from him. It is difficult because they’re not the ones out there.

“He has had a rough season with injuries and the track was tricky early on.

“Whilst I was frustrated with his performance, I can’t berate him because at the end of the day, he is the one putting his neck on the line out there.

“I’m disappointed in his performance, but I can’t say a lot more really.”

Peter Kildemand was forthright with his views on the Robins' failings after Monday night’s defeat but Rossiter was understanding of the Dane’s frustrations, which the Abbey Stadium chief thought were borne from state of the track.

Rossiter said of Kildemand’s comments: “I think the frustration is because of the rain. What can you do?

“You can sit and talk about it until you are blue in the face; when you are 14 points down, you know what you need to do.

“The rain comes down and what more can you say?”