Louis has been frustrated by Ipswich inconsistency

Relegation to the Premier League is a genuine option for the beleaguered Ipswich Witches, according to boss Chris Louis.

The Suffolk-side find themselves rock bottom of the Elite League table having won just five meetings all season.

When asked about the prospect of dropping divisions Louis told BBC Radio Suffolk: "It is certainly not out of the question, no.

"That's as such as I can say at the moment. It is not out of the question."

He added: "Too many riders are underachieving. If you look at averages there's always a number beside your name.

"Scott Nicholls, Dawid Stachyra and Danny King aside, the rest have all quite considerably underachieved and we haven't been able to cover for that."

The 2010 campaign was supposed to be a new adventure for the Witches after a re-haul of their Foxhall track.

But Louis admits the adjustments may have hampered his team.

"Unquestionably I knew it would affect us. I didn't anticipate we would still be struggling on our home circuit, which we are," he said

"The visiting teams come and by halfway through the meeting they've adapted to the circuit and in some cases gone and won the meeting."

It means Ipswich face an uphill struggle if they are to avoid a relegation play-off with the Premier League's top side come the end of the season.

But Louis believes they are up to the challenge, but will be bringing in new riders to do it.

"I still believe we can make up the ground and maybe go beyond that and climb a couple of places," he added.

"We'll obviously need a very successful period through August and to do that we may need to make a change or two.

"I'm quite confident before we take to the track again there may be a change or two."

It does not get any easier for the Witches, whose next meeting is at home to Elite League leaders Poole Pirates on 22 July.

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