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Devils boss aims to improve away form

Saturday, January 09, 2010, 07:00

PLYMOUTH Devils chairman Mike Bowden said his side cannot rely solely on their home form to enjoy a successful 2010 National League campaign.

The city side have lost just two home league matches in the regular season over the past four years.

That has provided the platform for the Devils to win a mass of silverware.

However, while their form has been almost unstoppable at the St Boniface Arena, their away performances have been inconsistent.

In the past four seasons, they have won just 10 league matches on the road, including only one away triumph in 2009.

"I am really looking forward to the new season and I am quite certain we will be a match for any team on our own track," said Bowden.

"Our team is in place already and I believe we have a good balance of riders, a balance which should see us perform better all round as a team than last year.

"However, if we want to have a really successful season, then we do have to improve our form away from home.

"We were unlucky on a few occasions last year not to have won more away matches.

"However, we have to be more consistent throughout the season, both home and away, and find a way to win on other teams' tracks if we really want to push for honours.

"That said, I am hopeful we will have another successful season."

While Bowden is hoping his side can improve their fortunes on the road, he revealed it was Matt Bates' performances away from home which cost him his place in the team for 2010.

Bates produced some excellent performances in front of the Devils fans last year.

But his away form, despite starting strongly, fell away and Bowden decided to replace Bates this year with new signing Matt Wright.

"Matt was a good rider for us at home last season, especially when he gated well," said Bowden.

"He produced some excellent rides and he played a big part in our good form at home.

"Overall, Matt did a pretty good job for the team.

"However, he was not the same rider on away tracks and that is what, ultimately, cost him his place next season."

Devils boss aims to improve away form
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