PIRATES team manager Neil Middleditch has called on supporters to back new boy Adrian Gomolski who has been brought in to replace the legendary Craig Boyce at Wimborne Road.

The 20-year-old has been brought in by the Poole promoters in a bid to arrest the club's recent slide in form.

Their decision to ask Boyce to make way for the Pole has not gone down well with some sections of fans.

This could place extra pressure on the youngster's shoulders, when he makes his debut in Pirates' Craven Shield clash with Peterborough and Reading at Alwalton on Thursday.

But Middleditch hopes Gomolski will get plenty of support from the terraces, as he bids to earn himself a 2008 Poole contract.

He said: "Adrian is a young rider and he's looking for experience, so good on him for coming over.

"It's a tough call for him to step into Boycey's shoes.

"So I would like people to give this guy a good welcome because I'm sure he'll come in and do the best he can."

Middleditch admits he knows very little about his new recruit.

But he hopes Gomolski will prove as big a success as Hans Andersen and Antonio Lindback, who joined as unknown quantities and become instant hits.

Middleditch added: "We have proved you have to take a gamble now and again.

"Obviously, Matt (Ford) is looking towards the next couple of seasons and signing Adrian should be an investment for the future.

"I only know what I have read about Adrian in the Speedway Star over the last few weeks.

"He has a couple of away meetings on some very tight tracks to do before he makes his debut at Wimborne Road, which could put some pressure on him.

"But if he gets fives and sixes, I will be happy and I'm sure he would be able to improve from there."

Although veteran Boyce's departure has not proved popular with everyone at Wimborne Road, Middleditch claims rider and club have parted on good terms.

Running a burgeoning engine tuning business and racing for Pirates were always going to be tough jobs for the Aussie to juggle.

Middleditch knows this better than anyone.

He said: "Running his tuning business alongside the speedway has put added pressure on him.

"I had a business to run myself while I was riding and you just have to give speedway 100 per cent. It's always a gamble to make a change but Craig's form had dipped over the last few meetings. There's no bad feeling between Boycey, Matt and myself - it was just a business decision.

"His departure may come a bit early in some people's eyes but if we win the Craven Shield, it'll look like a great move.

"So I hope the supporters will get behind the team and not get into petty arguments over the fact Boycey isn't riding for Poole."