LINUS Sundstrom admitted he had let down Poole Speedway and its fans but insisted he would soon leave behind him a modest start to the season.

Subject to a lengthy pursuit by Pirates boss Matt Ford during the winter, the World Cup-winning Swede has struggled for speed in his first campaign on British shores since 2013.

However, scores of six paid eight and nine paid 11 against Rye House last week – using an engine borrowed from Poole number one Brady Kurtz – gave reason for optimism.

The 7.17-rated Sundstrom will hope to continue his improvement when high-flying Wolverhampton arrive at Wimborne Road tomorrow (7.30pm).

Asked how far away from his best he felt, Sundstrom told the Daily Echo: “I’m feeling pretty far away, to be honest.

“But we are working hard and I’ve been in contact with my engine tuner regarding engines. I’m far from happy with what I’ve done over here this year and want to improve. Hopefully, I will get dialled in soon.

“There is so much in the material you are riding with but even more in your head because if you are low in confidence, it doesn’t matter if you jump on the best engine in the world, you won’t win.

“If your head and confidence is there, you can ride on pretty poor engines and score. That’s the way speedway is.

“It is tough coming back here because it is so different to Sweden and Poland. I know I’ve been here before but it was many years ago and it takes time to get used to it again.

“I have let down the fans and the club but I feel I am on the way to turning things round."

Four of Pirates' past five competitive meetings have been away from home, which Sundstrom feels has not helped his cause.

But with three of Poole's next four fixtures on Dorset shale, the 27-year-old hopes he can become more familiar with his home circuit.

He said: “It’s been really tough because we have had so many away meetings in England.

“All these meetings have knocked me even further down because it’s at your home track where you get the confidence which you take with you to away meetings.

“Poole is my home track now but the riders on the other side of the pits have rode here more times than I have.

"But we are getting there and I’m pretty sure things will start to turn around now."

Ford has spoken openly of his intention of looking at changes once bottom-of-the-table Poole have faced Wolverhampton.

Sundstrom added: “I know Matt is a businessman and wants to win and of course the club, the fans and the riders want to win.

“Whatever decision he makes, we just have to accept it because he is doing what he feels is best for Poole Speedway. You never know what’s round the corner."

Pirates: (from) Brady Kurtz, Linus Sundstrom, Josh Grajczonek, Kacper Woryna, Richie Worrall, Mateusz Szczepaniak, Stefan Nielsen.

Wolverhampton: (from) Jacob Thorssell, Kyle Howarth, Cameron Heeps, Sam Masters, Rory Schlein, Nathan Greaves, Ashley Morris.