ALUN Rossiter hopes that tonight’s confident victory over Coventry Bees will go a long way to eliminating the murmurs of negativity surrounding his Swindon Robins side following their opening day disaster at Poole Pirates.

On Good Friday, Swindon’s 2016 campaign got off to a turbulent start as they were beaten 61-31 by the reigning champions but in their first meeting of the season at the Abbey Stadium, Rossiter’s troops roared to a 55-35 triumph.

The Robins team boss was delighted with his team’s display but warned against expecting too much too early on from his septet.

“That’s the trouble with speedway – there’s so much negativity,” said Rossiter.

“People just go ‘oh, that’s it’ and are on a downer. Maybe we shouldn’t ride against Poole? We all know they’re always going to be good. They’re a massive club and they’ve got great resources, and full credit to them.

“The league isn’t won in the first match of the season and there’s a long way to go.

“Hopefully we’ve sent the home fans home happy now and a little bit more settled.

“I got the response I wanted and the one I knew I would get.

“You’ve got to bear in mind; this is only our second match as a team. We’ve not had many league meetings and I think it’s going to get better.

“I’m chuffed.

“(Rohan) Tungate will definitely get better, Nick (Morris) was back to his best, (Josh) Grajczonek was outstanding, (Jason) Doyle was outstanding, Sedgy (Justin Sedgmen) struggled a bit but hopefully we’ll get him dialled in over the next couple of weeks, and then I thought the reserves battled really well too.

“Believe me, this team will get better. They showed (last night) what they’re capable but it isn’t going to happen overnight.”