SWINDON Robins team manager Alun Rossiter is not hitting any panic buttons yet but is expecting a response from his riders when they take on Coventry Bees this evening.

The Robins’ season got off to a bad start on Good Friday as they succumbed to a 61-31 defeat away to reigning champions Poole Pirates.

However, Rossiter is hoping not to dwell on that defeat and believes his side can bounce back immediately at the Abbey Stadium tonight.

“I know the boys hurt and whilst I was very disappointed in the performance, a couple of the lads had a few problems,” he said.

“I am just looking for a response. They know they could have done better.

“We always knew it was going to be tough against Poole but they still should have done better than that.

“A couple of them had a few issues and a couple of the others were getting set-ups right.

“There were a few positives. Jason was back to where he should be and feels there is more to come from him as well.

“Sedgmen; I thought did what he had to do and was a bit unfortunate in his first race (falling) and changed a few things around, and had a good win over Hans Andersen.

“Josh got dialled in towards the end.

“I think it is the fact that we got beaten so heavily that makes it even worse and alarm bells were ringing but I don’t think there was the need for that.

“Whilst it was a bit of a downer, I am not getting too worried and I do expect a better response tonight.

“We certainly need to improve and we will need to be much better away from the tapes against Coventry.

“I want to see a good show of character from the boys and a good response by picking up a solid home win.”

Stefan Nielsen, who took a fall in heat five of the meeting with Poole, has recovered from his shoulder injury as the Robins name an unchanged side, in stark contrast to the second meeting of their last campaign.

Meanwhile, Coventry make two changes to their side that beat Leicester Lions 49-41 in their curtain-raiser, with former Robins rider Hans Andersen guesting for Krysztof Kasprzak, who has commitments in Poland, and reserve Josh Bates, who is on Premier League duty with Sheffield, being replaced by Poole's Adam Ellis, who scored 11+1 at Wimborne Road on Friday against Swindon.

“Coventry have got some capable riders, so it’s up to our boys to go out there and get our first points on the board,” added Rossiter.

“There are a few changes to the Coventry side.

“Adam Ellis is coming in for Josh Bates and he got a maximum against us on Friday and they are bringing in Hans, who has had a few meetings.

“It is going to be tough but if we want to make the play-offs, we need to be beating them.”