SWINDON Wildcats head coach Ryan Aldridge believes both of this weekend’s games could be decided in the first five minutes.

The Wildcats will have to have their wits about them right from the first buzzer if they are to stand any chance of winning against either Sheffield Steeldogs or Telford Tigers.

It has been a mixed set of results for Swindon against the Steeldogs, who they host this evening, winning twice and losing two but in three of the four meetings Swindon have found themselves going behind first.

Since the last time the two sides met the Steeldogs have recruited in Latvian international forward Janis Ozolins, who has scored eleven goals in eleven games, and Aldridge will be aware of his threat.

“They changed their line-up and brought in a new player who is always their top goal scorer (now) so I am sure that is going to change the way they play,” said the Link Centre boss.

“It gives them a deeper line-up and we have just got to be switched on and play our game and I think we know the game plan for them so have just got to stick to that and we have got to start winning games again.

“That first five minutes is key there is no doubt about that.”

Swindon follow up tonight’s home game with a trip to league leaders Telford Tigers.

The runaway leaders have proven too strong for many this term but Swindon have been able to penetrate their armour, inflicting half of the Tiger’s four total defeats this term.

“Telford is always a tough game and we have got to be ready for it and again the first five minutes of that are key and then we can settle in,” added Aldridge.

“We have got to go there and play a very smart hockey game.

“We have done it before and when we are on top of our game we are as good as anybody.

“They have bigger depth than us in their line-up but my top guys against their top guys are very similar.”