NEIL Middleditch insists Pirates have nothing to fear as Elite League champions Coventry visit Wimborne Road for the first time since their title triumph.

The Bees completed a smash-and-grab raid in Dorset last October and have brought in British big gun Scott Nicholls for the injured Hans Andersen ahead of tonight’s clash (7.30pm).

But despite the Bees’ recent history at Poole Stadium, Middleditch believes his own team’s home form is more than a match for the visitors.

Middleditch said: “There’s no doubt in my mind that, in Scott Nicholls, they have found a very able replacement for Hans.

“But my message in my team talk to the boys tonight will be ‘let them worry about us’. We have nothing to fear if we ride the way we have been at home so far this season.”

Middleditch also believes in-form Aussies Chris Holder and Darcy Ward will once again be key to another home win.

He added: “The pair of them are outstanding and can produce something out of nothing on the race track.

“Under severe pressure, they have produced two incredible last heat heroics in our last two away league matches to bring the team two additional league points with maximum wins.”

Przemyslaw Pawlicki, who banged in 16 paid 17 in the Elite League final second leg last year, remains in Coventry’s line-up, with the Bees adding Dane Kenni Larsen to their side.

Pirates: Chris Holder, Renat Gafurov, Darcy Ward, Jason Doyle, Davey Watt, Dennis Andersson, Christian Hefenbrock.

Coventry: Scott Nicholls, Kenni Larsen, Ryan Fisher, Przemyslaw Pawlicki, Edward Kennett, Josh Auty, Richard Sweetman.