Wolves in play-off hope

Speedway boss Chris Van Straaten is "confident" his new-look Wolves side will reach the Elite League play-offs this season.

The Monmore men haven't been involved at the sharp end of league business since 2004, when they went all the way to the final only to lose to Poole.

They were in play-off contention until the penultimate league match of 2006, but tailed off early last year to finish mid-table.

But Van Straaten, with a revamped young side under the new points limit which is likely to see David Howe, at 26, the oldest rider when the season starts, is happy with the team he has assembled.

And he reckons the demise of the aggregate bonus point will also help.

"I'm confident we're putting together a team that is going to acquit itself very well this season," said the Parrys International Wolves owner.

"I think we went for the top-end approach last year and that didn't work.

"We've gone for a team that will be very powerful at reserve for the whole season.

"The bonus point has gone – and I didn't vote to get rid of that, but I accept that it's gone.

"Now, 46 points (to win a match) at home is the same as getting 60, so we're on a level par with the Swindons and Peterboroughs, who get 60 every week.

"The key is to pick up some away victories, and you need everybody contributing to pull that off. Poole proved that last year – they had a really top-heavy team but their away form was nothing spectacular, because not everybody contributed.

"I'm quietly confident we will be involved right to the end of the season this year."