ALUN Rossiter knows he’ll be cast in the role of pantomime villain at Wimborne Road this lunchtime but is confident his new Robins team have the ability to strike an early Elite League blow against the reigning champions.

Rossiter can afford himself a wry smile when he considers the stick he’s likely to take at the home of the Poole Pirates, but is more concerned that his Swindon outfit do their talking on the track against the benchmark side in British speedway.

Pirates begin the 2016 campaign as most observers’ favourites to retain their crown and the Dorset outfit boast another formidable line-up this year, including 2012 world champion Chris Holder and former Robins and Grand Prix rider Hans Andersen.

That prompted their Australian ace Davey Watt to conclude: “Everybody would be afraid to come to Poole, especially at the moment. If they aren’t worried then they should be.

“Who would want to take on our team? We have an absolutely solid line-up and I think confidence is going to grow.’’ Rossiter, though, is quietly confident his side, led by Grand Prix ace Jason Doyle, can make an impact, starting against the side the Swindon boss himself rode for during the 1980s and 1990s.

“I think the new breed of speedway fan likes to give me a bit of a boo and I guess I’m a bit of a panto villain down there, but it gets me going a bit more,’’ he told the Swindon Advertiser.

“It (him being a former Poole rider) always adds a little bit of spice to it, but I don’t mind that.

“We’re looking forward to it. I’m glad the season is getting going and we can see what out guys can do.

“There are probably a couple of our riders that people are thinking ‘can they do it?’, but I’m confident we can pull through.

“A couple of them are probably going to take a bit of time to bed in, but I like what we’ve put together.’’ Both sides will be at full strength for the clash, Nick Morris making his first Swindon appearance of the year after missing the trip to Somerset, whilst Charles Wright and Rohan Tungate return to the side after riding for the Rebels in last week’s challenge fixture.

Rossiter added: “We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be tough but the boys know what is expected of them.

“Some people may question why we’re riding against them (Poole) first, but why not? It’s always a good chance to see where we are at.’’