PETERBOROUGH supremo Ged Rathbone has called for a collective effort from bosses, riders and fans to prevent the club's season from faltering.
The 'T Balfe Construction' Panthers face a must-win Premier League showdown against fellow title hopefuls Berwick tomorrow night (Friday, 7.30pm) at the East of England Showground.
It provides a quick opportunity for Peterborough to bounce back from a miserable 46-44 home loss at the hands of Scunthorpe on Tuesday - a meeting which provided disappointment on and off the track for Rathbone.
It was also a third successive defeat following a KO Cup quarter-final exit at the hands of Somerset in which Panthers lost heavily in both the home and away legs.
Rathbone said: "Tuesday was a very bad night - probably the worst of my time at Peterborough.
"The performance was disappointing, the result was obviously disappointing and the size of the crowd was also disappointing.
"We're currently in a situation where we have been dealt a couple of big injury blows and we need everyone to pull together.
"I have always said we are one family here - management, riders and supporters -and we all want to be successful.
"That is why people fought so hard to keep speedway alive in Peterborough in the winter of 2014, that is why we have worked so hard since to deliver a successful team on track, and that is why we have a deal in place with Readypower to take the club on ourselves at the end of the season.
"The fans make a huge difference. If anyone doesn't believe me, just ask one of the riders. They love racing in front of a packed stand full of people making a lot of noise.
"The atmosphere can be really special here at the Showground. We saw that in the big play-off meetings last season and we have to re-create that on a regular basis.
"I won't go into detail, but I can assure everyone we lost a lot of money on Tuesday night - and I am not a bank!
"I'm a prudent businessman and this club has to break even. I'm not here to make money, but I sure as hell cannot sit back and lose it.
"The bottom line though, is that we have to give the fans better performances and better results than we have managed at home for much of this season.
"We have already been beaten four times at the Showground and that is not acceptable.
"I'm well aware of the fact there have been issues with the track, but it is the same for both teams.
"This is a professional sport and those taking part in it should have the team of people around them who are able to react to the conditions they encounter and have the ability to make the adjustments necessary.
"I don't feel that happened on Tuesday, or in several other home meetings so far in 2016 for that matter.
"It has to change and we'll be talking at length to all of the riders ahead of the Berwick meeting.
"Not only is it going to be a very tough meeting tomorrow night, it is one we have to win to keep ourselves where we need to be in the table.
"I'm hoping for a good performance, a good result and a good turnout to put us back on track."
Peterborough have called in Sheffield star Simon Stead to guest at number one with Craig Cook racing in the Elite League. Tom Stokes will again ride at number seven in place of injured Zdenek Holub.
TEAMS PETERBOROUGH 'T BALFE CONSTRUCTION' PANTHERS: Emil Grondal, Nikolaj Busk Jakobsen, Ashley Morris, Ulrich Ostergaard, Tom Perry, Simon Stead (guest), Tom Stokes.
BERWICK: Rider replacement for Seb Alden, Liam Carr, Kevin Doolan, Daniel Gappmaier, Thomas Jorgensen, Theo Pijper, Matt Wethers.
