SHEFFIELD boss Simon Stead is targeting a fast start from his side to help them in their quest to get back to winning ways when they host reigning league champions Ipswich at Owlerton on Thursday (May 7, 7.30pm).
The Tigers have won just one of their opening five fixtures in all competitions so far this season - but have been involved in some ultra-competitive ties scoring at least 41 points on each occasion.
Whilst Stead says he has highlighted the encouraging, early signs as well as areas they need to improve in, he is now keen to see them get up and running in the ROWE Motor Oil Premiership.
And with back-to-back home fixtures on their schedule, with league newcomers Northampton due next week (Thursday, May 14), Stead says it’s a big opportunity for his riders.
“When you look at the make-up of this league this year, I don’t think there is any such thing as an easy meeting and there aren’t going to be any free passes,” Stead said.
“I don’t want to overreact too much because as I’ve said, it is still very early days – but we have high ambitions and expectations at this club and wins and points on the board are what we need.
“At the end of the day, whilst entertainment and good racing is one thing, we’re in a results business at this level and I don’t want to keep saying that we ran them close and that I’m disappointed to have just come up a little short.
“I want us to start getting off to a stronger start in the opening set of races to give us a little bit of an edge and hopefully from there the lads can maintain their nights from there on in to help deliver the results we’re all craving.
“Ipswich have built another pretty solid side, we always seem to have some good head-to-heads against the Witches and this is another intriguing one, I don’t think anyone could argue with that.
“We want to get back to winning ways though and with us having two home meetings in a row, the picture could look a lot rosier in just over a week’s time – but it’s up to us to make sure that is the case.”
Racenight+ tickets are now on sale and include admission, 1x Official Racenight Programme, Centre Green viewing of Heats 8-11, plus a signed photograph selected at random upon entry.
