WHEN the Swindon Wildcats played some great hockey and made the play-off semi-finals in Coventry at the end of last season, most fans expected them to carry that momentum into the 2014/15 campaign.

However, 14 games into the new season Ryan Aldridge's men are stuck in a rut.

The Link Centre side have recorded just one win in their last six EPL games and endured successive home defeats at the weekend to Sheffield Steeldogs and Basingstoke.

With a similar squad to that of last year, why are the Cats being beaten so comprehensively on a regular basis at the moment?

Swindon have yet to win a league game at home this season which is a worrying statistic.

They've proved they can play on the road by beating Manchester and Telford, arguably the two best teams in the league. If they want to make the play-offs, they simply need to start winning at home week in week out.

It is almost always the case that a successful hockey team will use their powerplay as a potent threat. Swindon's is far from that.

With Canadian defence man Kenton Smith and Polish forward Tomasz Malasinski being two key off-season additions, coach Aldridge thought they would solve the powerplay issues that have hurt the Wildcats for a long while.

Aldridge's confidence has so far been misplaced.

When a team is struggling, fans will often pin the blame on their goalie.

Stevie Lyle hasn't started the season in anywhere near his best form – and I'm sure the Cats goal-tender would admit as much.

It was only two years ago that the Welshman had the starting spot for Great Britain in their bid to get to the Sochi Olympic Games.

When Lyle finds his feet, he will win Swindon a lot of hockey games, of that I'm sure.

Ultimately, the big-name players haven't hit top gear yet and they know that more than anyone else.

The leadership of Jan Kostal will definitely pay dividends in the end. The Czech captain has possibly the best work ethic of any sportsman I have watched.

His effort on every shift and desire to play for the badge on his shirt is admirable.

The talent is also definitely there with the likes of Aaron Nell, Malasinski and Henri Sandvik providing fire power going forward.

Meanwhile, Lyle, Smith and Alex Symonds will all be big factors in solidifying things at the back.

Many teams in the league feared the Wildcats coming into the season and I believe they will be a destructive side – when they get going. Traditionally the Cats are slow starters before Christmas and hit form in the New Year.

It could be a repeat this season but I'm backing them to be in the play-offs.