Swindon Wildcat Wayne Fiddes says tomorrow's home clash with Sheffield is a must-win game.

But giant netminder Pasi Raitanen stands in their way and, according to Fiddes, has been the difference in season's gone by.

Wildcats failed to claim even a point off Sheffield Scimitars last term and this season have failed to win at home in two attempts both against champions Bracknell.

Fiddes though is in confident mood following away wins against Bracknell (8-1) and Romford (6-4) in the last two weeks.

Raitanen is the man Swindon must beat though.

"Sheffield are a tough team, they have got good British players who work hard and of course they have that goalie (Pasi Raitenen)," said Fiddes.

"He is so good he is awesome, it is him who we have to beat. I don't think we have beaten Sheffield in around two years and it's down to him because he is just so good.

"When he is out Sheffield's results dip, he makes all the difference. I guess we have to shoot more, get more shots on target and try to get more goals. Defensively we are sound so if we can step in attack then we can do it.

"There's no excuses though - we must beat Sheffield. I don't want to put the pressure on the lads but I think it is must-win, for the players and for the fans.

"We've not won at home yet and we need to. We should be competing with Sheffield, especially at home. We need that first victory."

Fiddes maintains that Swindon always had a tough start to the season, facing the likes of Bracknell, Sheffield and Guildford in the first month. And October doesn't get any easier, but the Wildcats captain believes it is good to play the top teams first.

"It is going well. We've had our ups and downs already with the results but all the sides we have faced are going to be right up there.

"It is a tough start but it is good because it shows where we are and we have competed with these teams.

"We beat Bracknell 8-1 at their place and then lose 3-0 at home. I can't work it out but it just clicked at Bracknell and shows what we are capable of.

"How we lost at home I don't know, it just didn't happen for us."

And after Sheffield tomorrow night, Cats travel to English Premier League leaders Guildford.

"It doesn't get any easier does it?" added Fiddes. "But there's no pressure really at Guildford, they are top but we've won there before and we can do it again.

"We have nothing to lose going there and I think we could do it. A four-point weekend would be amazing."

Coach Peter Russell has a fully fit side to ice and insists everything is going to plan at the Link Centre "We are playing the top teams in the country so you are going to be up and down," said Russell. "It is going to take time for us to get going.

"There is no problem though. I don't have any problems with the side. We are definitely competing with them.

"Sheffield are a tough team, they have a good goalie.

"We have a chance on Sunday to cause an upset and I believe we can, I always believe we can. It is a big rink in Guildford which will suit us.

"We have done it before and we can do it again.

"October is a hard month too but then November is a month where we can win a lot of matches.

We just need to keep it steady now and keep winning as many as we can."