The lack of form shown by the Czech Republic brothers Ales and Lukas Dryml is causing concern to both JT\Fox Oxford Cheetahs skipper Steve Johnston and team manager Colin Meredith, writes John Gaisford.

Both newcomers have failed to hit the heights in the six meetings so far.

They appeared on the scene with bags of potential, but although Lukas has shown glimpses of what he is capable of as a reserve, they have not performed as expected.

The brothers are both very young and in England for the first time. Ales has been saddled with the ridiculous assessed average of 7.50 and currently is a heat leader when really he should have come in on a 3.00 average.

Ales has scored very few points so far, and if you don't score, you don't get paid. The Drymls and young John Underwood must be finding it very hard to survive at present.

As yet, I have not seen anything that encourages me to think that they will make it in the Elite League in the months ahead. I hope I am proved wrong.

Meanwhile, skipper Johnston is working with them to give some encouragement and confidence. Johno said: "It is not just the track time the boys need. They need to be rubbing shoulders and racing. After tomorrow's meeting we will go out and have a few laps together. I can also try out their bikes and they can try out mine. I will be surprised if we don't sort out quite a few problems."

Team manager Meredith is asking the fans to give the Drymls more time to settle. He is convinced they have the ability to make it, but he admits that the team cannot win meetings with only three riders performing.

That was all too evident in the defeat against Eastbourne last Friday when Steve Johnston (15), Todd Wiltshire (13) and Jimmy Nilsen (12) scored 40 of Oxford's 43 points.