MATT Ford has admitted Pirates' line up is "not everyone's cup of tea" this year, but he still feels the "gamble" they have taken in their team building can result in the Dorset club lifting the Elite League title.

The Poole Castle Cover co-promoter, and his partner Mike Golding, have come under considerable flack from other top flight bosses and supporters who have labelled Pirates "top heavy" this year.

But the Wimborne Road supremos are determined not to listen to the criticism and allow their side, spearheaded by Grand Prix stars Jason Crump and Bjarne Pedersen, do the talking.

Ford, speaking ahead of the official press and practice session at Poole, said: "Our team is not everyone's cup of tea.

"We have taken a chance and gone particularly top heavy with two unproven riders in the Elite League at the bottom end of the team.

"Let's not kid ourselves, Troy Batchelor and Jason Doyle are not going to be like Hans Andersen or Krzysztof Cegielski were in 2001.

"But I do feel Troy and Jason are capable of increasing their averages to four-and-a-half, five points at a canter."

Ford added: "In 2007, quite simply we are setting out to be champions.

"We have taken a chance this year. We have changed the structure of the team, a format that in the last two years clearly didn't work.

"You can look at last year's failure, our seventh place position as the worst in the league for eight years and point to Krzysztof Kasprzak being out for 10 weeks, Antonio Lindback missing 18 meetings, and both are valid points.

"But everyone who achieves success has to be lucky, meaning they need to remain injury free throughout the season.

"In Bjarne and Crumpie we have two established riders who haven't missed too much in the last two years through injury.

"We hope that continues and that collectively we're successful and that on an individual basis our riders are successful in the GP and other FIM events."

Asked whether he had set a combined target of points for Crump and Pedersen to get in each meeting, Ford said: "I don't think we have ever set those types of goals on riders. That is not our way.

"Of course, if you look at Crumpie's stats he probably achieved 14 points a match last year. But with the greatest respect it is going to be difficult to beat that, although he can probably equal it.

"I think Bjarne can have an improvement in him, and working with Jason will bring the best out of him. That is all I want.

"Craig Boyce figured in nine out of our 10 team options. After his season last year there was Craig achieving a lot, so how could we leave him out?

"Whether or not he can improve even more is there to be seen. What I do know is he keeps himself fit, wants to win and isn't ready to hang up his kevlars yet.

"I also believe people are underestimating the likes of Sergey Darkin, Doyle and Batchelor and I just think we will be a good team home and away."