EXCLUSIVE: Alun Rossiter discusses latest signings, Nick Morris's departure, and the 2019 Premiership season

ALUN ROSSITER spoke exclusively to TotalSport Swindon’s Ryan Walker as the Swindon Robins manager gave his analysis on the latest signings, the departure of Nick Morris, and the upcoming season.

After being announced as the teams second signing ahead of the 2019 season, Tobiasz Musielak brings a wealth of talent with him back to the Abbey Stadium. And Rossiter was full of praise for his latest squad addition.

“He was the rider of the year so he was clearly the fans favourite,” said Rossiter.

“He brings a lot to the team and he’ll have a lot of influence on it.

“This will be his third full season at Swindon and he’s comfortable with the club.

“He’s not got the pressure of the Ekstraliga next season and that will help him massively,” he added.

A season of mixed fortunes this year saw Musielak struggle for consistency.  

But when questioned on this, Rossiter said that riding in his home country of Poland massively restricted his development.

“His Polish coach didn’t give him a lot of credit last season and Toby was made to spar against junior riders when he would learn more riding against better riders,” said Rossiter.

“When he got a race win under his belt then he got on with it for us last season.

“Poland didn’t help him and he was getting frustrated last season.

“I’m always looking for improvement and I’m convinced there is lots more to come from him.

“What measure of improvement that will be is the million dollar question,” said the manager. 

Having already recruited two of his seven riders for next season, the Blunsdon outfit revealed earlier today that Troy Batchelor would return for yet another season at the Robins.

Something that Rossiter admitted was an easy decision to make despite his signature leading to Nick Morris departing the Abbey Stadium.

“It was very simple bringing Troy back,” stated Rossiter.

“Once we decided with Nick [Morris] would have a season away we decided to get Troy back with us.

“You saw that when he came in he took the mantle as the senior rider in the team.

“He did a very good job when he came back and scored some big points for us.

“I’m sure he will be an important rider for us next season as well,” he said. 

The arrival of Batchelor finalises Swindon’s heat leader positions for the upcoming season. 

But despite scoring big points for the Robins last season, Rossiter insisted that the arrival of Batchelor doesn’t take the pressure off of number one Jason Doyle.

“Jason will be expected to score points and he knows that,” said Rossiter.

“He’s the number one and former world champion and he knows what he’s been brought in for.

“We know he will get beat and that’s a fact of life. 

“His big points will help to take pressure off of some of the other riders,” he said.

On the day of Batchelor’s announcement, Morris concluded his decision to leave Swindon by signing for the Wolverhampton Wolves. 

And whilst disappointed to lose Morris, Rossiter explained how a season away from Wiltshire would only benefit the Australians career.

“The only frustrating thing for me is that a lot of frustration from fans caused Nick to want to move away,” he added.

“If you look at the averages of some riders then they are on a false average and Nick is on a false average for next season.

“We had a good chat about his departure and were very amicable about it.

“He’s been with me at Swindon since 2012 and a little freshen up will do him good. 

“I’m sure it will be good for him and we will see him back in Robins colours soon enough,” he said.

Three heat leaders with a combined average of over 21 points highlights the strength in big positions for the Robins as the side aim to regain the Premiership title next year.

However, when questioned on the quality of Swindon’s initial signings, Rossiter refused to comment on whether he now has the best heat leaders in the league.

“We have very good heat leaders. But I’m not going to say whether we have the best in the league,” said Rossiter.

“We’ve gone for strength up top in the side but I’m not really worried about fitting others in.

“We worked around it a couple of years ago with Jason’s 13 point average.

“We’ll look to see who else we can bring in and take it from there,” he said.