Bucks plan to give league their all

Palmer satisfied with new signings

MTHATHA Bucks head coach Ian Palmer feels he is on the right track with the signings announced last week. Amatholamnyama began their National First Division campaign with a 1-1 draw against the University of Pretoria at the Amatuks Stadium in Pretoria over the weekend.

“I think we were the better team on the day. Both teams had chances but I think we had more chances to score. We had a fairly good start and tactically we were cleverer than our opponents. I think what let us down was the decision-making in the box.

“Because those are the definite chances that you have to finish when you’re playing a game. We were leading 1-0 and that sort of changed the game completely.”

Palmer said there could have been a better result but the team had not spent enough time playing together.

“Taking into the consideration that we haven’t played much together it’s nothing to worry about. But I’m happy at what I saw although there’s a lot to work on. I can already tell it’s going to be a tough season.”

Palmer was happy with the way the boys were gelling together, even though they were not as fluent as he would like them to be.

“Their performance was satisfactory, though some departments can still improve, especially the attacking department.

“Ntandokayise Ngubane, I think he needs to play a bit more with the team in order for him to understand how we do things, but it’s still early and we can still work on those problems.”

Palmer played seven new signings to the team and he could not pick an individual who had outdone himself during the students.

“I can’t put a name – the whole backline was definitely solid. From your right-back to your left-back, to your centre-back, Bongani Kama, Pentjie Zulu, Shane Thompson – who is not at his fitness peak – and you look at Linda Bengu, they all played very well for me.”

He said he needed just one or two more players and his squad would be complete.

“It’s a good point encounter against the way from home, it could have been three points but it’s one point and now we have to get maximum points for our next game, which is a home game. That would also be fantastic for our supporters.

“Most of the teams we are playing are closed books because they all have new teams so we don’t know much about them but I am very optimistic this season.

“The team has been in this league for three years, and now I think it’s time to make a statement.”