HAVING analysed the various line-ups and mulled over multiple permutations, I’ve come up with the verdict my gut had been telling me all along.

Swindon have every chance of making the Elite League play-offs.

I don’t think this is misguided optimism. The league has two standout teams on paper in Coventry and Lakeside, and all being well, they will be the top two in that order.

Then there are three further teams and one outsider who could fill the remaining spots.

With comfortably the best spearhead in the league in Chris Holder and Darcy Ward, I fancy Poole to get third.

Then it’s a case of picking between Swindon, Wolverhampton and the outsiders, King’s Lynn, for the one remaining play-off berth and I believe the Robins will get it.

Of those three sides, Swindon are the best-balanced and have the greatest depth in their lower order.

The top two of Troy Batchelor and Hans Andersen are solid enough and the Blunsdon outfit have substance further down as well.

Simon Stead thrived as a third heat leader in 2009 and is proven in that position, while Nick Morris is fearless against the big boys and Peter Kildemand is going to cause serious damage at reserve.

Due to their greater firepower at the top, I think Wolverhampton will pip King’s Lynn for fifth, but lower down, it looks very tight, with all the remaining teams much of a muchness.

Peterborough look competitive but nothing more, while the hype surrounding Birmingham will turn out to be nothing more than hot air.

Initially, I thought Belle Vue looked a reasonable side but they have copped a few early-season floggings and are suffering from injury and absence already.

Right at the bottom, Eastbourne will bring up the rear. Joonas Kylmakorpi will struggle at number one and a few of their riders will not live up to what they achieved last season.

What I’m most certain of above anything is that Swindon will not experience the nightmare they had in 2011, barring incredible bad luck of course.

Robins fans have plenty of cause to be optimistic that the upcoming campaign will be a successful one, and at the very least, the Abbey Stadium side will be in the race for the play-offs.

That would be a marked improvement on the performances of the last couple of years, and fingers crossed, play-off speedway will be coming to Wiltshire in September.