NEIL Middleditch has urged Davey Watt to avoid scathing self-criticism as the Pirates skipper bids to put his mental battle behind him.

Watt has struggled to live up to his seven-point average in the opening three Elite League meetings and admitted on Twitter that "personal stuff" had left his head "messed up".

The popular Queenslander followed up a five paid six salvo in the top-flight opener against Swindon with just two points in the home fixture against former club Lakeside.

And Watt did not fare any better at Purfleet on Friday, managing just two points in three rides before being replaced by reserve Adam Ellis for his fourth programmed outing.

Poole team boss Middleditch admitted Watt had been affected by off-track matters but backed the 38-year-old to swiftly rediscover his best form on the shale.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: "Davey is having a bit of a rough time at the moment. He is far better than his scores, he is just not getting things together.

"Speedway is a tough old game and if your head isn't in the right place, it's difficult to perform well.

"He does beat himself up and that is sometimes the worst thing you can do. That's where I come in – my job is to try and get his head in the right place.

"We have talked about it and, hopefully, he is going to sort things out.

"He has ridden Wimborne Road for years but, at the moment, things are happening which aren't conducive to good racing.

"I think he has some things off the track that are affecting him a little bit and when you are racing speedway you have got to have a clear head.

"By Davey's own admission, his head isn't in the right place at the moment.

"I'm sure he will come through it. We all know what a good rider he can be and I have faith he will come through this patch."

Writing on Twitter after the 50-40 loss at Lakeside – Pirates' first defeat of 2016 – Watt lifted the lid on his on-track struggles.

He tweeted: "Devastated on so many levels right now. My brain needs a holiday and my body just wants to ride bikes.

"Bikes are great. I'm not worried about my riding. It's my head that's messed up. Thanks for the nice messages but I have some personal stuff."

A three-time silver medallist with Australia in the Speedway World Cup, Watt has enjoyed a glittering career with Poole.

The Townsville-born rider has played his part in five league titles in six separate seasons and helped the Dorset side finish runners-up in 2010.

He won the now-defunct Knockout Cup in 2010 and 2011, the second of which helped his team complete a league and cup double.

Watt has 11 club honours to his name in Britain, only two of which were not earned with Pirates. Those were the Young Shield with the Isle of Wight in 2001 and the Elite Shield with Eastbourne in 2009.