The Peterborough Evening Telegraph
Panthers boss is upbeat despite a home defeat
Team boss Carl Johnson billed the opening night of Peterborough Panthers’ season as a success . . . despite seeing them suffer defeat.
A new era for the city club began with a 48-42 loss at the hands of Belle Vue on Monday in the new SGB Premiership Supporters’ Cup competition.
Maximums from former Panthers star Kenneth Bjerre and Australian champion Max Fricke inspired the visiting side to glory, but Johnson was hugely upbeat in defeat despite only three of his own riders managing to win races.
He said: “It was a disappointing result, but I think we can call the night a success overall with a really good crowd treated to some cracking racing on a superb track.
“We didn’t quite manage to make enough good starts and that cost us against a team with riders of the calibre of Max and Kenneth.
“We have a little bit to work on, but that’s only to be expected at this stage of the season with a new team and a new promotion in a new league.
“There is no doubt we have the makings of a good side even though we are currently three points under the limit for team building.
“We continue to explore all of the avenues open to us and as soon as the right option comes up we’ll make a move.”
Johnson is confident his side can perform well in the return clash in Manchester tonight (Thursday) at the magnificent National Speedway Stadium (7.30pm).
And that is followed by more Group 1 action next week with a Monday trip to Wolverhampton (7.30pm) before welcoming the Black Country side to Alwalton on Thursday (April 11, 7.30pm).
“The National Speedway Stadium is another big, fast track like our own and it’s a place I feel we can go well at,” added Johnson.
“Wolverhampton on Monday is very differen. It’s smaller and tighter, but that should suit a lot of our boys too.
“There were plenty of signs of encouragement on Monday with certain riders doing very well, but at the same time a couple of others know they need to do a bit better.
“The fact we have the points to play with to strengthen means all of the boys are riding for their places.”