NEIL Middleditch believes tomorrow's trip to King's Lynn has taken on heightened importance following Pirates' tricky start to the season.

After beating Belle Vue at Wimborne Road, Poole succumbed to a narrow defeat in the return clash before copping a hefty home flogging by Swindon.

A 56-34 loss at Wolverhampton yesterday left Pirates sixth in the SGB Premiership table, with King's Lynn lying in wait and looking to build on a positive opening to the campaign.

Tipped by some to struggle, the Stars thumped Belle Vue in Norfolk and then took an impressive losing point at Swindon.

Discussing the fixture ahead, team boss Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "It does take on added importance as we need to get back to winning meetings. We need to address the form of the boys and get them going.

"I've been in this game too long to place too much stock in what happens in the first few meetings of the season. We know we are a good side.

"King's Lynn are no mugs around their place. It's a fast, racy circuit but we have some boys who don't mind going fast.

"We are going there for a win, that's our objective but we will take whatever we can get."

Asked if he expected results to click into place, Middleditch said: "I know the riders that Matt (Ford, boss) has assembled are all very capable and nobody is probably more surprised than themselves.

"Speedway is very different in Poland and Sweden but they have got to learn to ride, that's what they are over here for, to ply their trade and to learn to ride the English tracks.

"Linus (Sundstrom) had a couple of good rides against Wolverhampton and showed promise and it was the same with Kacper (Woryna). They were banging in the points but obviously not enough."