SWINDON Wildcats head coach Stevie Lyle is not looking to re-evaluate his pre-season ambitions despite an indifferent start to the campaign.

The Wildcats have failed to complete a four-point weekend yet in the league, however, despite that Lyle’s side lie just four points behind league leaders Basingstoke Bison.

Lyle has admitted that the start to the season has been less than ideal but is hoping that a change of luck and the arrival of Carlo Finucci will see them scale the table.

“I don’t think we have had a great start but we are four points off of first,” he said.

“It just goes to show that if we have a good month then we could be in top spot.

“The defence have been unlucky in a lot of games and hopefully that will turn around.

“You do need a bit of luck, I don’t care how good you are, and if the luck changes I’m hoping this time next month you will be asking if I’m happy to be top of the table.

“Every team is beatable, it is going to be one of those leagues.

“I think it is whatever team is willing to go the extra mile on the night is going to be the team coming out with the two points.

“The league is a lot stronger this year.

“We have seen a higher standard of imports and we’ve also got British guys coming down from the Elite League.

“I think the standard will go up again next year again as the Elite League are going up another import.

“I think it is good. Rather than not having one or two guys run away with it, we don’t know what is going to happen each weekend.”

Swindon start their weekend at the Link Centre against Sheffield Steeldogs before the trip to last season’s runaway winners Telford Tigers on Sunday.

However, this campaign has seen Telford only pick up three wins from their opening eight league games, while Steeldogs are a much stronger side this season since the departure of Andre Payette as head coach in the summer.

“They (Sheffield) are doing well,” added Lyle.

“(New head coach) Gregg Wood has done a good job with them and has got them all going the same way going forward and it is no longer the Andre Payette show.

“I think they are all just glad to be playing hockey again.”