Brennan adopts siege mentality ahead of Sheffield clash

Fired-up Tom Brennan believes that Belle Vue must adopt a Sir Alex Ferguson ‘siege mentality’.

The ATPI Aces lost their opening clash of the season 46-44 to Sheffield at the National Speedway Stadium.

It was a disappointing opening salvo to the campaign for last year’s Premiership runners-up.

But Brennan, 20, says that the side must toughen up before the return fixture in Yorkshire on Thursday (April 7).

He vowed: “For some reason Belle Vue get a lot of stick in the speedway media. The fans are alway entitled to their opinion I guess.

“But we should probably use that like Sir Alex did at Manchester United, it should make us have a siege mentality. I think a few of the boys got some criticism online last year as well. It’s nothing new in any sport.

“It’s something we all have to deal with and we can hopefully use it as motivation.

“Another Alex Ferguson saying was getting a reaction to a bad result. That’s what we have to do now at Sheffield. I definitely think we have the ability to do that.

“It was a difficult start with two of our riders Jake (Allen) and Norick (Blodorn) not having done any practice on our home track before facing Sheffield.

“But there were so many positives to take from that meeting on Monday night. It’s gutting to lose but we will learn from it and come back stronger, trust me.

“I was annoyed at myself. I won two races but also had two lasts. That’s really frustrating. I need more consistency and I’m working on it big time. 

“It’s a tough one that we have a long break before our next home meeting on April 18. We’ll need to be sharper for that one.”

The ATPI Aces are next at the National Speedway Stadium on Easter Monday at midday, taking on bitter rivals Wolverhampton, before travelling to the midlands for the return the same night.

Last season Wolves beat Belle Vue four times, twice home and away, and have become a bit of a bogey side.

Brennan added: “The irony is that I live in Wolverhampton with my girlfriend Kristen!

“To be honest, I don’t care about results last season or rivalries. I know the fans get involved in all the social media banter and that’s good for the sport. 

“But I’m only bothered about producing wins on the track. I know that Wolves and Belle Vue are meant to be really big rivals but whatever the team against me, I want to win.

“Wolves are pretty good at the National Speedway Stadium and turned us over twice last season. But at the end of the day, we reached the Play-Off Grand Final and they didn’t. 

“It’s not about what you do in March, April or May. It’s about where you end up in October. 

“The main thing is that I have to do my job. I need to be scoring more than six points like I did last Monday. I want double figures in every meeting.

“It’s not easy at this level. But I have set my bar high. I know my bikes are quick enough. The track at the NSS is amazing but it can be hard as a home rider to get a home advantage.”

Belle Vue is widely regarded as the best track in the world for entertainment and fans have flocked back to the stadium for the opening two meetings. 

Brennan added: “We had a near sell-out for the Peter Craven Memorial and the racing is always out of this world. 

“It was also such a close meeting against Sheffield, I think the lead changed hands about five times. 

“Everything is buzzing at Belle Vue. It’s the best track in the UK if not the world. The fans are loving it. We just want to get a few wins now.”

Picture by Ian Charles