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Rossiter: Our real goal is winning the league

With the 2016 Elite League Speedway season just around the corner, Total Sport’s Ryan Walker caught up with Swindon Robins manager Alun Rossiter to get the lowdown on the new squad.

The Abbey outfit took to the track for the first time on Thursday, to speak to gathered local media and give fans an early glimpse of what is to come.

A strong team on paper makes the Swindon Robins one of the favourites to win the prestigious competition, but Rossiter is cautious of making such judgements this early in the year.

“ I wouldn’t say were favourites but we will be there or there about," Rossiter began.

“The usual crew of Poole and Belle Vue will no doubt be a threat once again but a lot depends on how my young boys react.”

Since being crowned season champions in 2012, the Swindon Robins have managed to make the playoffs every year, however their inability to reach the grand final appears to have become a formality, one that Rossiter is hoping to end.

“I like think that we will have a successful season this year," he said.

“Obviously the main aim is to once again make the playoffs, and after that anything can happen.

“I’m pretty fed up of hitting the crossbar so to speak, getting to the semi-finals the past couple of years and that’s our real goal of winning the League," the Robins' boss added.

After finishing last year’s World Championships in fifth place, the Swindon Robins have arguably got the best number one in the League with Jason Doyle, a statement that the Robins manager himself reiterates.

“At the moment I would agree that Doyley [Jason Doyle] is the best number one in the League," Rossiter said.

“But it’s a new season, new start and everybody comes up to the mark so it will be interesting.”

With five Australians making up the main body of the team, a positive team spirit and unity throughout the squad appears to be a big focus point of Rossiter’s campaign and one that he thinks will be the key to success.

That’s the whole idea, comradery, togetherness and everybody being together and working hard," he stated.

“The Aussie boys are all competitive so I think my role this year will be more man management, I’ll be there sort out any issues but hopefully we wont have any and can all work together.” Rossiter said.

Away from the Elite League Rossiter will also have to focus on his Great Britain management duties and, with team GB already guaranteed their place in the World Cup final due to it being held in Belle Vue’s Manchester stadium, Rossiter admits that his team choices will be all the much harder this year.

“It’s going to be hard to pick the GB team this year," Rossiter explained.

“Obviously you’ve got Scott Nicholls wanting to be back in the squad, and then you’ve got the likes of Craig Cook, Tai Woffinden, Chris Harris, Robert Lambert, and all the other boys.”

“It won’t be easy.” Rossiter added.