Oxford promoter Aaron Lanney (right) has given his backing to David Howe, who has found the going tough since his move from Wolverhampton last winter.

Brought in as No 1 at the start of the season and made captain, Howe has given below-par performances have been poor to say the least.

His average has dropped from 6.82 to 4.87, and by his own admission, he has been a big disappointment so far this season.

Lanney said: "I've stayed loyal to David and never given him a hard time.

"He's determined to score points for the team and determined to get himself back into the form we all know he is capable of.

"He knows I believe in him, and I feel sure he has what it takes to ride himself back into some form, and hopefully we will see the real Howie!"

Cheetahs' win over the old enemy Swindon on Wednesday made it two local derbies in the bag after they beat Reading over Easter.

It's hard though, to see Cheetahs being able to move off the bottom rung and unless there are significant changes soon, that's where they will end up.

However, though upset at some of the individual performances, Lanney is doing what he set out to do this year and consolidate the future of Oxford speedwayTodd Wiltshire has done as well as everyone thought he would since he hascome back, and Adam Skornicki is getting better all the time, at home at least. Davey Watt is good for around six or seven points, while Freddie Erksson has yet to kick start his return to Cowley.

One bright spot for Lanney is that the reserve pairing of Lubos Tomicek and Eric Andersson are starting to come good.

Their combined paid-20 haul last week went a long way to helping Cheetahs beat Swindon.

Lanney is waiting for Wiltshire and Eriksson's averages to be assessed, and then we may see changes in the Cheetahs' line-up.