CHRIS Holder admitted off-track problems had dogged his season but insisted that winning the Elite League title would be the ideal send-off.

The Sydneysider experienced mixed fortunes early in the campaign and dropped to a second-string berth in May, later revealing a confidence battle brought about by previous injuries.

Despite retaining the number one spot for the rest of the regular season, Holder’s average dropped and his season took a drastic turn for the worse when close friend and Pirates asset Darcy Ward suffered serious spinal injuries in a crash in Poland last month.

And the 28-year-old Holder is desperate to end 2015 on a high when Pirates attempt to secure a third straight league crown against Belle Vue tonight (7.30pm).

He told the Daily Echo: “There have been more problems off the track than on it, to be honest. This year has been quite tough.

“To finish off with a win would be really cool and from a personal perspective it would be good to salvage something from my season.

“It hasn’t been great but once I get this one done it will be good to have a break before having another crack at it.

“When you are going well everything is perfect and it hasn’t been that way all year. That’s not just been in England, that’s been everywhere. I haven’t been the rider that I could or should have been.

“Darcy’s injury was another hit but it’s awesome for me to be riding better now. I seem to have hit a bit of form and seem to be going better than I have done all season.

“A bit of time away from speedway will be good and I look forward to coming back next year and doing what I really wanted to this year.”

Reflecting on tonight’s clash, Holder insisted that belief was high among the Pirates septet that they could follow up Monday’s away draw at Kirkmanshulme Lane with victory at Wimborne Road.

He added: “I think every final we get into or win is special.

“At Belle Vue we wanted to keep it close and at one stage we were winning by a lot of points but towards the end they had a good run of gates and pegged us back.

“Having got a draw there, we are confident we can turn them over at home.

“In recent home meetings we’ve managed to hit some pretty big scores on the scoreboard and, hopefully, Wednesday will be no different.”

Kacper Gomolski is expected to recover from minor injuries sustained in Monday's first leg.

Pirates: (from) Chris Holder, Davey Watt, Dakota North, Kacper Gomolski, Maciej Janowski, Paul Starke, Kyle Newman.

Aces: (from) Matej Zagar, Max Fricke, Josh Grajczonek, Scott Nicholls, Craig Cook, Steve Worrall, Stefan Nielsen.