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Screen in mood for a booster

13/ 6/2008

JOE Screen is back in the mood to give Belle Vue a Knockout Cup boost next week.

Screen, who has relinquished the captaincy of the One 51 Aces to concentrate on sorting out demoralising bike problems, insists he has battled through the gremlins that have hit him hard over the last month.

He lifted his morale with six points at Coventry last Friday and followed up with nine in the 48-45 home win over Eastbourne on Monday.

A minority of fans booed him before the meeting, but he responded with three heat wins including a superb victory over Great Britain World Cup captain and new British champion Scott Nicholls.

Screen is aiming to maintain his revival in next week’s two-leg KO Cup tie against holders Coventry.

The first leg is at Belle Vue on Monday (7 30pm) and the return at Coventry on Friday (8pm).

Screen admitted: "I’d got into a bit of a hole and it was a struggle to get out because I couldn’t get to the bottom of my bike problems.

"I had got to the position where I could only go one of two ways, and they were to slide down towards the Premier League or go upwards and show I’m still an Elite League rider.

"I got three second places at Coventry last Friday and felt things were getting better. I felt my confidence coming back and it showed at Belle Vue on Monday.

"I was much more aggressive against Eastbourne, but the best thing was that my bike felt good, and I rode it for the whole match instead of chopping and changing things.

"I wasn’t happy to hear boos from some people in the crowd when I was introduced at the pre-match parade.

"I know the people who pay at the turnstiles are entitled to express their opinion. They can boo if they want to, but I don’t need anyone to let me know I’ve been having a bad time recently.

"I just wish they understood what I’ve been through recently trying to get things sorted out.

"I’ve worked as hard as I can and it has cost me a fortune at a time when I haven’t been earning as much as I would have expected.

"I think supporters should try to get behind you and help when things aren’t right. I was disappointed.

"But I was happy with nine points. time

The Aces will operate the rider replacement rule for unlucky Pole Lukasz Jankowski who was detained in Manchester Royal Infirmary after breaking a collarbone and suffering back injuries on Monday.

He had only just returned to action after missing five matches due to a shoulder injury which took the brunt of the blow when he fell and was struck by another machine.

Jankowski will be out for at least a month.

Aces’ chief David Gordon said: "The Belle Vue hoodoo has struck again, just when we seemed to be getting things together again."