NEIL Middleditch admits Pirates’ rivals will all want the reigning kings to lose their crown but he has warned them: We relish that challenge.

The Poole team manager’s comments come as his Elite League title favourites prepare to launch their bid to retain the most sought-after piece of silverware in British speedway.

Middleditch’s powerhouses begin the defence of their championship with an eagerly anticipated Good Friday double-header against Coventry.

Pirates are aiming to claim their fifth Elite League success since 2003 but their credentials will come in for a stern exami nation against the much-fancied Bees.

Middleditch says the rest of the league will be gunning for glory against Pirates – because everybody likes to see the big boys beaten.

But he believes Poole have built a team capable of keeping the club’s lofty status at the top of the rankings.

Middleditch told the Daily Echo: “Everywhere we go, they want to beat Poole. That is the main factor.

“They all want to beat us and we don’t want to be beaten.

“The early signs are very good and I think we have all gelled together really well.

“The Aussie connection is very good but Adrian has fitted in well and the signs look positive.”

He continued: “We are the team, over the past decade, that everybody wants to beat.

“Who cares? We relish the challenge. We have got a good team.

“We have been the most successful team over the past decade and everybody wants to see the good boys get beaten – it is an English thing.

“As long as we can keep spoiling their parties, I will be quite happy.”

Pirates have started the 2012 campaign by producing some impressive performances and victories, including an Elite Shield triumph over Wolves.

Recent recruits Adrian Miedzinski, Sam Masters and Ricky Kling have caught the eye for the new-look Wimborne Road outfit.

Middleditch said: “We have got the strength in depth, which is the key to the success of any team.

“It is early days yet and it is a long season, but the signs are very good and I am very pleased.

“The key to things is having the one-to-seven and we have showed that our reserves can score points and that is the main thing.”

Pirates head to Coventry for an 11am opener tomorrow before the teams meet again in Poole for an 8pm return fixture.

Middleditch added: “It is a contest between two of the fancied teams for this season so it is going to be a really tough test for us, but one that we are going to have to take on.”