Bees told: Pull out all the stops; SPEEDWAY: 'Performance of the season' needed.

Byline: David Rowe 

COVENTRY have been urged to put in their performance of the season if they are to have a chance of pulling off one of the sport's great upsets as the Elite League play-offs begin tonight.

The Buildbase Bees face title favourites Swindon in the first leg of the semi-final at Brandon (7.30pm) and know that after next Monday's return at Blunsdon, the Robins will have an extra eight points added to their score.

Bees also know that they are the opposition hand-picked by the Wiltshire club, on the basis that Swindon have twice won at Brandon this season.

Co-boss Peter Oakes said: "We can't have any of the seven lads not performing to their very best - if that happens, we will lose. We've got some riders who aren't capable of going out and scoring a 15-point maximum, but they've got to pick up the points that we expect of them and if they can do that, we can spring a shock."

Ben Barker continued to have treatment over the weekend as he bids to regain fitness from his recent shoulder/collarbone injury.

A decision on his participation will be made today, but Barker has vowed to ride if at all possible and Bees are urgently in need of his inspiring presence, even at the age of just 21.

Swindon's power-packed top two of Leigh Adams and Matej Zagar have led the Robins to numerous away wins so far this season and they also have the track knowledge provided by the three ex-Coventry riders in their line-up - Simon Stead, Morten Risager and Ryan Fisher - meaning Bees very much have it all to do tonight.