New signing Piotr Swiderski was an ever present in Peterborough's team last season

Louis told BBC Radio Suffolk: "There isn't a team, at the moment before we turn a wheel, that looks any better than us."

He said a number of the Witches' rivals will have to rely on continued progression from young riders.

Louis added: "There are lots of ifs, buts and maybes in every single team."

Interview: Ipswich Witches captain Chris Louis

Ipswich finished second from bottom in the 2007 Elite League table.

We've got guys who have visited all the Elite League tracks that we'll be going to, they know British speedway Ipswich captain Chris Louis

The Ipswich veteran believes losing number one rider Mark Loram early in the season was a contributory factor but he has also accepted that signing Polish riders Zbigniew Suchecki and Marcin Rempala was "a risk too far".

Louis added: "Their inexperience showed and it continued to show right through the season unfortunately.

"We haven't got that this year we've got guys who have visited all the Elite League tracks that we'll be going to, they know British speedway."

He added: "Piotr Swiderski had a full season and was an ever present in the Peterborough side last year and he's really looking forward to riding at Ipswich."