BJARNE Pedersen has admitted he is "worried" about his stuttering early season form.

But he feels Pirates chief Matt Ford has jumped the gun by publicly announcing his "concern" over the issue.

The Dane, who leads Poole Castle Cover in their home Elite League clash against Lakeside tonight (7.30pm), has blamed his slow start on ignition problems.

Pedersen revealed his mechanic had realised that was the problem during his first meeting of the campaign.

The Dane, frustratingly, turned down the advice because he'd just had all his ignitions serviced and felt they couldn't be at fault.

Speaking exclusively to the Echo, Pirates skipper said: "Of course I'm worried because speedway is my work.

"If Matt sacks me it is like losing your job for a normal person.

"To be honest, though, it's a bit too early for Matt and Middlo (Neil Middleditch) to be worrying because I did 50 good meetings for Poole in 2007, but have had only three or four bad ones this year.

"I've still scored good points at Eastbourne and Lakeside, and twice now at Poole.

"I know I've not been consistently scoring, but I've just turned the corner. I've had six matches for Poole now and in the last two at home I got 13 and 15, so it's not that bad.

"It's been a poor start and everything got low, but hopefully we're going the right way now."

Pedersen, averaging about one point lower than last season, added: "It's been my worst start in the last three or four years.

"To be fair, at first we were trying a lot of new engines out. Some things have not been working, and I've had big problems with the ignition.

"It didn't matter which engine I was putting in my frame, there was no power.

"It's hard because you can't test power in a workshop, you need to go on a track during meetings. It's been a hard start to the season. I've just not been good enough.

"At King's Lynn on Saturday, I changed my clutch springs because I have not been especially good at the gate.

"The clutch hasn't been dragging, but it's been warm after racing. It's been burning my clutch plates.

"Now I feel I have everything right. I just need to get my confidence back. I just need a couple of good meetings to get back to normal."