Johannesburg – Despite picking up only their second win of the Premiership campaign, SuperSport United coach Gavin Hunt said his team put on a dreadful show during Friday night's 3-1 victory over Moroka Swallows.
“I think that was our worst performance this year and we won,” said a baffled Hunt.
“You tell me about this game of football. We've played far, far better and drawn games this year but we were poor tonight.”
United had drawn a staggering 11 times in their 13 previous league matches, and the win in Dobsonville vaulted them into the top half of the table, although perhaps temporarily, with most teams holding a game in hand.
Hunt said his outfit, three-time league champions in the last five seasons, were lacking in confidence.
“We gave the ball away far too easily so many times in easy areas,” he said.
“You can see we're not under pressure, but we're certainly playing with a lack of confidence in the team. What do you expect after 11 draws?”
With two matches remaining before a near two-month break in the league, Hunt said his players were desperate for points.
“At this point in the season we've just got to try and grind out a few results and get ourselves up the table.
“We're a far better side than where we are, but the league table doesn't lie, so we have to be honest with ourselves.”
Despite their troubles, Hunt believed United had the right attitude to be able to lift themselves.
“There's a great togetherness in this squad. That's the most important thing,” Hunt said.
“I've never been worried about the team, and where we are, because we play for one another and we've battled away the last couple of weeks.”
Swallows captain Lefa Tsutsulupa admitted the match – their fourth defeat in a row – was another bad result for last season's title contenders.
And while under-fire coach Zeca Marques endured chants of “go, go, go” from the home crowd after the game, the skipper believed the players should accept criticism for their recent performances.
“We've had a terrible month and, as players, we need to take the blame,” Tsutsulupa said.
“We never really followed the coach's instructions. We were soft at the back and we let in silly goals. We made silly, stupid mistakes.”
Tsutsulupa said nothing had gone right for the hosts on the night.
“It's one of those matches where you try everything and nothing works, so it's back to the drawing board for us.
“I really feel for the coach because he tried and covered all the bases, and tonight we let him down.” – Sapa