Chris Louis has backed his team manager Ritchie Hawkins “100%” despite his team’s poor start to the season.

The Witches now only have the Premier League to concentrate on after exiting the Knock-Out Cup at Rye House on Saturday. They are already out of the League Cup and are currently bottom of the Premier League.

In all, it’s been a hugely disappointing start to the season for Louis’ team, but he attaches no blame to Hawkins.

“Ritchie has my 100% support,” Louis said.

“In fact Ritchie can do what he wants with the team, suggesting to me changes to riding order and to do whatever he thinks best for the team.

“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not piling the pressure on him. All I’m saying is that he has my full support for any changes he feels will be right for the team. And for us to talk about them.”

Louis also praised Witches No.8 Danyon Hume for his performance at Rye House on Saturday. The Birmingham rider stepped in at the last minute when Darryl Ritchings could not make the meeting.

“Danyon is our rider and I’m hoping he has a big future with us,” Louis said.

“His efforts at Rye House were superb, he chased, harried and never gave an inch.”

Hume, 19, himself admitted he enjoyed his Witches debut at Rye House.

“I put in 110% like I always do and it was a privilege to wear the Witches race jacket,” he said.

“Obviously the riders in the Premier League are different class to what I’m used to riding against but I felt really on the pace and it was only my gating that let me down.

“We can work on that.

“I hope to get more meetings for Ipswich. They are the club I have signed for and I will always take my chance when I get it.”

Meanwhile the Witches are changing the racing order of the team for Thursday night’s clash with Edinburgh.

Lewis Kerr will be moving to No.2, with James Sarjeant moving to No.4 and Morten Risager to No. 3.

The Witches team to face Edinburgh on Thursday will be: 1 D King, 2 L Kerr, 3 M Risager, 4 J Sarjeant, 5 N Covatti, 6 P Castagna, 7 O Greenwood.