BOSS Matt Ford insists Poole Pirates have the right team in place to address their patchy away form and declared: “This team is capable of winning the league”.

Pirates rescued a 46-46 draw having trailed by 12 points at basement boys Leicester nine days ago, a result that left them winless in four Elite League road trips to date.

The fightback prompted a mixed reaction from supporters but with Poole in imperious form on home shale, Ford remains confident.

Asked whether the away-day blues had made him consider his options, Ford told the Daily Echo: “Absolutely not, I don’t see that there are better alternatives out there for us.

“It is strange that there seems to be a little bit of panic when we sit in such a strong position. We’re perfectly okay and very capable of putting behind us a couple of small blips on the road.

“There is no doubt in my mind this team has what it takes to win the league and if we don’t feel that way nearer the end of the season, we will look at it then.

“It has been a strange start for us. We have not had many opportunities to track our full one to seven yet and it would be lovely to have an injury-free run to show what we are capable of.

“We have definitely missed Kyle Newman. You always prefer to have your own riders and feel you can get more out of them.

“Initially, if you had told me we would only draw at Leicester I would have been slightly disappointed but the way the team came back was something really special.

“Instead of giving away the lead, we battled back and that was quite important for us. As much as some people were disappointed, I didn’t share their feelings on this occasion.

“We need to keep picking up the points at home, that is always your foundation for a good season. The win against Wolverhampton was a good one but it will be a very different meeting this week.”

Pirates had been scheduled to face the Lions tonight but an inclement weather forecast caused its early postponement.

Based on current averages, Newman is set to step up to heat leader when he returns from a groin injury with Chris Holder slipping down to second string.

Due to having a lower average than Newman, fellow draft rider Adam Ellis is required to drop back to reserve.

Ford added: “We have shared some banter because I don’t think Kyle would have imagined being ahead of Chris.

“That’s the way the sport is now and while it is a shame he has that on his first week back after injury, I am sure he will be perfectly okay.”