NEIL Street believes something will have to go “drastically wrong” for rampant Pirates not to lift the Elite League title next month.

Poole’s former boss predicts they and second-placed Wolves will contest the play-off final because “without a doubt, they are the two best sides of 2010.

“But I feel, somehow, Pirates’ all-round team is better,” added Street, who said the Poole club “would always have a big place in my heart” after managing them from 1985 to 1998.

Street, the highly-respected ex-Australia national team boss, continued: “The four Aussies in Poole’s team are all eager and striving to get better.

“Bjarne Pedersen is riding better this year than last and with Leon Madsen and Artur Mroczka also scoring well, I can’t really see anyone beating them over two legs in the play-offs.

“The whole team is so good right through and they have the bit between their teeth.

“They’re not just top of the table. They’re miles above everyone. So I don’t honestly think anyone can topple them.

“Something has to go drastically wrong for them not to succeed.”

Exeter-based Street has confirmed he intends to return to British speedway next year following talk he was not going to be back because of his advancing age.

Street, who will be 80 in January, said: “There’s been a misunderstanding, probably because I’m going back to Aussie a bit earlier than usual this winter.

“I go on September 29 rather than the end of October, but intend to be coming back for several more years yet, hopefully.

“I’ll be staying with my son Adrian until such time it’s not really physically possible to do it.

“It’s great the Aussie boys are trying to put on a special meeting for me at Newport.

“I’m very pleased about it because I’ve been involved in British speedway for almost 60 years.

“I’ve never had a benefit over here, although a testimonial was staged for me in Aussie a few years ago.

“This season, I’ve been at Newport giving advice to young Aussie riders Alex Davies, Todd Kurtz and Mark Jones.

“Speedway’s been a way of life for me for almost 60 years and I still intend to carry on there next term.”

Castle Cover Pirates complete their regular home league programme against Peterborough tonight (7.45pm).

Panthers, still reeling from a shock 47-43 home defeat against Eastbourne on Monday, lost 54-39 at Wimborne Road in April.

Pirates: Holder, Pedersen, Watt, Mroczka, Ward, Madsen, Doyle.

Panthers: Bjerre, Iversen, Batchelor, Schlein, Buczkowski, Kosciuch, Tressarieu.