IT is fair to say the past few weeks have not been the easiest for Pirates star Richie Worrall.

While he has been in fine form for Championship Leicester – his performances for Premiership Poole have admittedly been “stressful” for him to deal with.

Totals of 3, 4+1, 2 and 2+1 had been culminated in drawing a blank in last week’s league contest at Peterborough.

The St Helens star revealed he had held talks with boss Matt Ford about his performances following that meeting – admitting: “I did need to talk to someone.”

But sleepless nights over his displays for the reigning league champions were eased after recording nine paid 11 and seven during Monday’s bank holiday double header against Swindon.

Despite also revealing he had struggled with engine issues over the past few weeks, Worrall refused to let that be an excuse to showcase his talent.

He told the Daily Echo: “When this is your life and it’s not going as well as you want it to, it’s hard.

“I don’t purposely drive 10 or 11 hours to come here, ride at the back and then drive home. Who in their right mind would do that?!

“I know what I can do – I have done it loads of times. I think the fans know what I can do, which is why it’s stressful.

“I think I was just mentally stuck in a bit of a rut and I took that to Peterborough.

“After Peterborough I spoke with Matt and stressed how I was feeling, because it is stressful and I did need to talk to someone.

“It’s not like I’m not trying – I am. I just couldn’t put my finger on what it was. Fair play to Matt for sticking by me.

“All I want to do is go well for myself, the team and the fans. When it’s not happening it’s stressful – it’s hard and it’s annoying.

“When you put so much time and effort into it and you aren’t getting the results you want, it’s painful.

“I go home from a night, especially lately in matches where I have been struggling, and I’m not sleeping. I am trying to rack my brains as to why it’s not working and why what I want to happen is not happening.”

Worrall played a key role in Pirates’ 51-39 victory over the Robins at Wimborne Road – his haul earning him the rider of the day award for the contest.

And he revealed how a trip to see skipper Josh Grajczonek between meetings had helped refresh his mind.

“I spoke with Josh about it, with him being our captain,” added Worrall.

“Josh had it at the start of last year. I don’t know what happens, you just have to keep going, keep smiling and get out of it.

“I actually went over to Josh’s and spent the day in the workshop with him. It was his idea – he said ‘come over, we will wash the bike at mine and talk about it’. We did that and I left with some more knowledge on the way to prep a bike – I do my things my way and he does his another.

“Thanks to Josh for that. He took some time out of his day and I did leave there with a better mentality.

“I know the fans just kind of see what goes on here (at the track) but there is a lot of work that goes on in the background.

“Speedway is a big mental sport, a big confidence sport and everything has to work right.”

Worrall is set to feature for Pirates when they host Peterborough at Wimborne Road on Thursday (7.30pm).