ALUN Rossiter has urged the merchants of doom to carry on writing off Robins' 2008 Elite League chances - but insists his side will be play-off contenders this season.

The Blunsdon chief believes the critics are in for a big surprise when his line-up get to grips with the new campaign, which starts next month.

Robins, having changed three-quarters of the team that finished runners-up in all three main domestic competitions last year, have largely been labelled as no-hopers this time around.

But Rosco believes that, free from pressure, his men will thrive once they negotiate the nervous early weeks of the season.

"Without a shadow of a doubt, there will be less pressure this year than there was last year,'' he said.

"Everybody is writing us off, which is great news. But we believe it is different.

"Of course, people will say well you would say that', but we honestly believe that we will surprise a lot of people.

"We will be in the play-offs this year.'' Just skipper Leigh Adams and Danish ace Mads Korneliussen remain from the 2007 side that went so close to title glory.

But with highly-rated youngsters Troy Batchelor and James Wright on board, plus the likes of reserves Seb Alden and Theo Pijper determined to make an impact, Rossiter insists there is every reason to be cheerful.

He added: "It is going to be a couple of months before we settle. The aim is to keep our home record, which I believe we will, but once we settle down and get organised, I think we'll be all right.

"I spoke to Leigh (Adams) when he came back from Australia and he said that it's probably better now because the pressure is off.

"Give us a couple of months to settle, but once that's out of the way we are going to surprise a lot of people.

"Leigh says the same - it's a good thing that people are writing us off. Carry on.

"We've worked well in the winter. Everything has progressed and we're making sure everything is right for the riders.'' Meanwhile, Robins have been reunited with their Advertiser Team of the Year trophy, which disappeared in mysterious circumstances from Rossiter's New Inn pub, in Stratton.

The trophy was spirited away while Rossiter was away on holiday in Florida, the speedway chief returning to find a ransom note for it waiting for him.

Rosco had his suspicions as to the culprits, with 2006 winners Swindon Rugby Club top of his list.

But an unidentified individual - wearing a Swindon RFC shirt - pounced at a party at the Wheatsheaf pub at the weekend to hand back the trophy to skipper Adams.

Rossiter also presented Adams with his Advertiser Sports Personality of the Year award after his return from Australia late last week.