THIRST DAN (From Bournemouth Echo)

THIRST DAN

7:00am Monday 12th May 2008 in

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PIRATES new boy Daniel Davidsson has vowed to make the Internet critics eat their cyberspace words when he lines up for the Dorset club at Eastbourne tonight (7.30pm).

The 25-year-old Swede was dropped by Poole Castle Cover chief Matt Ford after failing to impress during a stint at Wimborne Road in 2006.

But after replacement reserves Shaun Tacey, Matt Wethers and Tommy Allen failed to even match Davidsson's disappointing return, Ford admitted later that year that he should never have dropped the Swede.

And after enduring some harsh criticism on online speedway forums for his scoring last time out, Davidsson is aiming for a vast improvement on his return to the Poole ranks - starting with tonight's trip to Arlington in the Elite League.

Davidsson, who replaces injured Pole Zibi Suchecki at reserve, told the Echo: "I'm older now, I'm more experienced.

"I know what to expect and have learnt not to take any notice of what people are saying on the Internet.

"I don't care about that now, when maybe I did before. I just want to do my best and take it from there.

"I've got a lot to prove from last time. I want revenge by showing people I'm not that bad.

"If I can get four, five or six away and maybe five, six or seven at home, I think me, Matt and Neil Middleditch will be happy.

"That's what Matt has asked me to do, that's what I'll be trying to do, as well as be more consistent."

Davidsson, who missed only three meetings during his first spell with Pirates in 2004 when he helped them complete a league and cup double, has sat out British racing since his 2006 Poole exit.

But he rejoins a Castle Cover Pirates line-up crippled by injuries, with fellow Swede Magnus Zetterstrom also stepping in for struggling Karol Zabik.

Davidsson added: "I wasn't really expecting a call from Poole but now I'm really excited and looking forward to riding for them again.

"It's short notice, and me and Zorro (Magnus Zetterstrom) didn't have any equipment for Britain last week.

"But if we can get past the first few weeks I think things can only get better for us both."

Pirates use rider replacement for Davey Watt, who lines up in a GP qualifier at Abensberg.

Eastbourne use Kenneth Bjerre as a guest for Edward Kennett, who is also in action in Germany.

Eastbourne: 1 Scott Nicholls, 2 Lewis Bridger, 3 Lee Richardson, 4 Cameron Woodward, 5 (guest) Kenneth Bjerre, 6 Simon Gustafsson, 7 Brent Werner.

Pirates: 1 Krzysztof Kasprzak, 2 Freddie Eriksson, 3 Chris Holder, 4 Magnus Zetterstrom, 5 Rider replacement for Davey Watt, 6 Daniel Davidsson, 7 Adam Skornicki.