IN Johan Neeskens they trust!
It’s the same old story, just a different day. It seems as if the Dutchman will live to fight another day at Mamelodi Sundowns after avoiding another loss after a point was secured against AmaTuks on Saturday.
Sundowns have stuck with their under-performing mentor even though the side haven’t won a PSL match since the opening week in August. The coach has remained resolute and unshaken despite the poor results. His self-confidence and resolve is admirable but his tactical astuteness leaves a lot to be desired.
The coach remains philosophical: “After we scored my players maybe started thinking about the result; that we don’t want to lose, and that is wrong. They have to keep up the same way of playing that we showed in the opening minutes.
“We don’t push up enough from defence and when you stay close to your box it’s going to be dangerous. We haven’t been compact enough, with a big hole between attacking and defending,” said Neeskens.
The Sundowns defence once again didn’t look convincing and with defender Alje Schut substituted due to injury at the weekend, they’ll be hoping the player can shrug off the injury and return in time for their next assignment against AmaZulu on November 21 at Loftus Versfeld.
Sundowns will feel they can get one up on AmaZulu who are in a similar position, occupying 14th position in the league.
The Tshwane giants will have another week to work on their deficiencies before the battle to move up from the relegation zone continues.
As things stand, Sundowns, with all their glamour and resources, face the unthinkable scenario of being relegated to the National First Division.
The team sit in unfamiliar territory, dead last at the bottom of the table, with second-last rookies Chippa United a point ahead of the five-time PSL champions.