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7:00am Monday 6th October 2008
MAGNUS Zetterstrom is determined to go from zero to hero as Pirates go into the first leg of their title showdown at Lakeside tonight.
The popular Swede failed to score from four outings in Poole Castle Cover's 53-39 mauling at the minute Arena-Essex Raceway on May 30.
That was the last time the Dorset club took to the tiny Purfleet-based 252-metre track.
So Zorro is anxious to make up for one of his worst Pirates' performances in front of Sky's cameras and a big travelling Poole following in north-east London.
Indeed, in 197 appearances for the Wimborne Road outfit since joining them in 1996, the 36-year-old has only failed to score from four rides three times.
Looking ahead to tonight's clash, Zetterstrom, who has been on fire for Poole in recent weeks, said: "I feel a lot better because my season has been so good since I came over to Britain in mid-May.
"Lakeside was one of my first meetings and I did it without being up and running with my own equipment and bikes.
"I'm pretty sure I'll score some more points tonight, although it's not my favourite track.
"I wish we'd been on another track in the final but I will not give any points away for free now we have got this far.
"I'll go there and do my best and I'm sure I can pick up some points."
Zetterstrom, who captained Pirates to title glory in 2004, the last time the club lifted the crown, added: "With this team we've got, if anyone struggles on a given night there will always be someone else who covers for them.
"As long as everyone does their best and gets a few points each, I'm pretty sure we can do well.
"Our goal is to win, but it's very difficult to do that on any away track, let alone at Lakeside.
"If we can't win we must run them as close as we can so we can go back to Poole and make up the points difference to triumph overall."
Zorro, who two other appearances at Lakeside for Poole saw him get 4:8+1 and 5:1 in 2004, continued: "I put my nightmare display at Lakeside behind me pretty quickly.
"You have to in speedway when you're riding so much in Britain, Sweden, Poland and Russia.
"If you have a bad night, there's always a new day and a new meeting tomorrow.
"You might score 10 points the next night so there's no point looking back.
"Of course you look back when you have such a bad meeting, but when you know the reason why, there's no point delving deeper into it.
"At the time I came over I didn't have my equipment and felt I was behind everyone else anyway."
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