PIRATES chief Matt Ford believes Paul Starke will swiftly surpass the combined points totals of his reserve predecessors.

Lee Smart, Ben Hopwood, Brendan Johnson and Benji Compton all played a supporting role to Kyle Newman last year.

Those four riders managed just 43 points between them for Poole during 29 regular-season Elite League meetings, including when they rode as guests.

And Ford feels Pirates will have more success with doubling-up rider Starke, who scored 10 paid 13 on his Poole debut.

Ford told the Daily Echo: "We tried everything to make it click at reserve last year and it just didn't happen and that's no disrespect to the four riders concerned.

"Paul's a massive signing and when he finds his feet I'm expecting four or five every meeting.

"I think that by the end of April, he will have scored more points than we had from our number sevens for the whole year."