SWINDON boss Alun Rossiter has compared Troy Batchelor to Manchester City enigma Mario Balotelli, saying the forthright personalities of both mean that supporters delight in criticising them.

Rossiter was reacting to an incident in last week’s Elite League opener against Birmingham at Blunsdon, in which Batchelor accidently forced teammate Hans Andersen into the air fence, and the pair exchanged words on the back straight after the race had been completed.

Robins number one Batchelor received plenty of flak from fans for his failure to spot the skipper charging round the outside, and Rossiter feels this was undeserved.

“He made a mistake and it happens, but because it’s Troy, everyone jumps on it,” said Rossiter, whose side take on King’s Lynn at the Abbey Stadium tonight.

“People want to make a thing of it because he’s an explosive character. I suppose it’s a bit like Mario Balotelli.

“Supporters on social websites make it bigger than it is, but accidents happen and it’s over and done with.

“Hans asked him why he didn’t have a look and Troy put his hands up and said, ‘I messed up’. It’s a one-off incident.

“The bottom line is Hans recovered and we got the 4-2 and the race win. If something like that goes wrong again, I don’t want to have to justify it or defend him any more.”

Rossiter also slammed rumours that the incident had created a rift in the pits, revealing that all riders were enjoying working alongside each other.

“He (Batchelor) is a so-say controversial character but the team spirit in the camp is excellent,” said Rossiter.

“There are no issues and no problems with the team. It’s been blown out of all proportion.”

Meanwhile, Andersen has insisted he bears no ill feeling towards Batchelor following last week’s coming together.

He said: “Much has been made about Batch taking me on a ride to inspect the air fence during the Brum meeting.

“These things happen in speedway, especially so early in a new season, and the most important thing is that I recovered and we gained an advantage for the team.

“I actually like riding with Batch and we have become good friends off the track.”

Ahead of tonight’s clash with the Stars, Rossiter has made one change to his Swindon side, with Jason Doyle returning to the fold in place of Seb Alden.

King’s Lynn include former Robins Maciej Janowski and Mads Korneliussen in their septet, but new signing Kyle Howarth is not yet available for selection.