PROMOTER Matt Ford believes Poole’s thrilling victory at Wolves highlighted their strength in depth and insists: “We are not a two-man team.”

Big guns Chris Holder and Darcy Ward took the plaudits after their last-heat exploits had sealed a dramatic 47-43 win at Monmore Green on Monday.

The Turbo Twins stormed to a 5-1 maximum as Poole overturned a four-point deficit to maintain their 100 per cent winning start in defence of their Elite League crown.

However, a third successive victory owed much to Poole Coastal Aluminium’s lesser lights – with reserve Ludvig Lindgren playing a starring role in the Black Country.

Lindgren carded two impressive wins in his eight-point haul, including a crucial 5-1 in the penultimate heat with Dennis Andersson to set up a grandstand finale.

The Swede, brother of Wolves spearhead Freddie Lindgren, had been given the nod by Ford ahead of in-form doubling-up rider Sam Masters.

Ford told the Daily Echo: “Ludvig’s ride in heat 14, together with Adrian Miedzinski’s in heat 13, were probably the catalysts for our victory.

“Nobody wants to go into a last-heat decider against Chris and Darcy and it doesn’t get much stronger than Freddie Lindgren and Tai Woffinden. They are probably the best other pair in the league when it comes to the final heat.

“Ludvig really showed his determination and was desperate to help us get a victory. It was a great all-round team performance and everybody chipped in. It showed the strength in depth we have got.

“If every rider can get the better of their opposite number then you are on to a winner. Todd Kurtz only got a couple of points but he beat Lukas Sowka twice and that was crucial.”

Ford also praised team boss Neil Middleditch for his man-management skills after Lindgren had fought back having frittered points to Ricky Wells in heat 12.

“Sometimes, a team manager can make all the difference by getting into a rider’s head,” said Ford. “I heard what Neil said to Ludvig and it was great advice at that point in time.

“It was an excellent race by Ricky Wells but Ludvig was feeling down.

“Neil picked him up and, just five minutes later, he rode an outstanding race and won at a crucial stage of the meeting.”

Lindgren is set to keep his place when Pirates head to Lakeside on Friday. With doubling-up pair Kurtz (Plymouth) and Masters (Somerset) unavailable, Poole asset Kyle Howarth will be drafted in.

Ford added: “When you have doubling-up riders, you can’t be unfair to them. We said Sam would have the lion’s share of the meetings but we also need to make sure Ludvig is riding. He is taking a place with us when he could be with another team.

“I don’t think he has quite got the gating ability of Sam and Sam will perhaps make it a bit easier for himself with his gating over the season. They are both clearly going places and, hopefully, they can have good careers and make it to the top.”