Why Hotto has made a slow start to life at Pirates
Since joining South African giants Orlando Pirates from Bidvest Wits at the start of the current season, Namibian international Deon Hotto has had a slow start to life at the Buccaneers.
When Wits agreed to a sale to become Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in September this year, Hotto was one of the most sought-after players put up for transfer. However, Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns to the 29-year-old Namibian’s signature.
At Wits, Hotto got a league-high 14 assists and scored five goals in the 2018/19 season, while last season he scored nine goals and made five assists in all competitions. He was expected to hit the ground running at Pirates, however, the player is yet to find his feet under coach Josef Zinnbauer.
Subbed at half-time three times
In Pirates’ seven matches so far this season in the MTN8 and DStv Premiership, Hotto has started five times. In league action, he struggled to impact matches and in all three of his games in the starting XI, he was substituted at half time after ineffective performances.
He has contributed two assists in the MTN8 though. First, he came on as a substitute to set up Thembinkosi Lorch’s goal against Kaizer Chiefs and then he started the return leg and assisted Linda Mntambo’s strike. Both times, he was at his most effective when the game became stretched and more space opened up.
New tactics
At Pirates, Hotto is still adjusting to different tactics and a more demanding playing style in terms of pressing. He is expected to be more patient in possession than with Wits whilst Pirates come up against reinforced defences more often so there is less space to operate.
New environment
Hotto arrives at Pirates in a new environment in terms of pressure but also in terms of training style. Bucs use a high-intensity training plan with lots of work done in small spaces and the Namibian winger will need a period to acclimatise to that.
Best position
Another factor for Hotto is figuring out which position suits him best. Against Cape Town City in the MTN8, he played as a left-back and against Bloemfontein Celtic, he played the second half as a wingback. Perhaps his best role is one where he is high up the pitch to lead a counter-attack, either as an advanced winger or in a role just behind the front man. - www.