TEAM manager Alun Rossiter is happy to play the long game when it comes to Swindon Robins’ title prospects in the new SGB Premiership season.

Swindon get their 2017 campaign under way this evening when they travel to Beaumont Park to take on Leicester Lions.

Rossiter led the Robins to a fifth-placed finish last term and has heavily rearranged his team over the winter.

With so many changes in personnel, Rossiter is uncertain of what to expect in 2017 and the main priority is just reclaiming a place in the end-of-season play-offs.

“It is never about winning it straight away,” said Rossiter.

“When I was at Coventry in 2010, I think we were 21 points behind and we went on to win the league, so it doesn’t matter as long as you finish in the top four.

“We got to the top four last year but just missed out on points difference, that was very frustrating.

“I am disappointed as I do believe the team we had last year was good enough, we just never clicked as seven riders at once and that is going to be important this year.

“The plan is to get back into the play-offs this year but as I have said before, I have been hit hard – probably harder than most teams – with their averages.

“I don’t believe it’s right but there’s no point moaning about it, it’s not going to change. It is what it is and we have just got to get on with it.”

With its long straights and narrow bends, Beaumont Park has traditionally been a tough arena for visiting teams over the years but the Lions have opted to alter the lay-out of their home track in 2017.

That will make for a level playing field this evening and Rossiter is keen to make the most of it in the hope of getting Swindon’s season off to the perfect start.

“They have changed it and made the bends a lot better. It’s not so one-dimensional anymore and a case of who dares wins into the first corner,” said Rossiter.

“It looks like they have done a good job with it and I think we have got a chance going there because they have not really had much practice on it.

“It is a good time to go there – go there early doors and get the points on the board.”

Robins' Jason Doyle and Nick Morris finished in third place at the Premiership Pairs in Somerset last night.

The duo followed Wolverhampton out of their group at the Oak Tree Arena, but were edged out by King's Lynn Stars' Chris Holder and Robert Lambert in the semi final.

The Stars' pair went in to lift the title with victory in the final against the Wolves.

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