Cook's Lakeside finished third in the 2009 Elite League

Lakeside Hammers boss Jon Cook has told his riders to fight for a seat next season after seeing them slide to a 51-39 home defeat by Peterborough.

Monday's loss means the Hammers need Coventry to fail to pick up a win when they host Poole on Thursday if they are to grab an Elite league play-off place.

Cook told BBC Essex: "We've got matches now we can look at for next season.

"We can look at he riders and talk to the riders and find out which ones really want to be Hammers."

He added: "By the same token we can decide which ones we really want and which ones we don't.

"We like this team very much as individuals, it's never quite had that spark.

A lot of people were sceptical and said 'Peter who?' really. At this moment I would be very surprised if he's not part of the team next season Lakeside boss Jon Cook on rider Peter Ljung

"We had a fantastic period in May where we felt we were really getting somewhere but we never really got back to that kind of performance."

Despite the downbeat vibe coming from the Essex Raceway there are still reasons to be cheerful for Lakeside.

The team still have the opportunity to defend their Knock Out Cup title and have uncovered a gem in rider Peter Ljung.

The 27-year-old Swede continued to impress against the Panthers, picking up paid nine points.

"We've been delighted with Peter, he's come in pretty much unannounced," said Cook.

"A lot of people were sceptical and said 'Peter who?' really.

"At this moment I would be very surprised if he's not part of the team next season."

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version