Trying to steer Bucs from hell to high heaven
Orlando Pirates are looking better than last season, but they are far from the finished product. Bucs mentor Milutin ‘Micho’ Sredojevic, who joined them four months ago, speaks to Tiyani wa ka Mabasa about the team’s progress
How have things been for you with the club?
In football, there is no bed of roses. From management, technical team and the players, we are working very hard to put Pirates, in terms of its brand value, where it’s supposed to be. I believe we have made very good steps to improve team performance in comparison to last [season].
How far are you from where you want the team to be?
All coaches on this planet are dreaming about the holy trinity [of football] and that is to have an iron defence, creative build-ups and a sharp attack. I believe that we are capable of having an iron defence. We are OK in creative build-ups, because most of the games we are dominating, but there is an area we need to work hard on and that is having a sharp attack.
Are you happy with the strikers you have?
When things are not OK with converting the chances, people are always pointing the fingers at the strikers. I have the highest possible degree of respect for the players we have, including the strikers.
Striker Thamsanqa Gabuza has been criticised a lot because he has only scored about 14 goals in more than 70 games for the club since joining in 2013. What do you think of him?
In football, there is no individual blame. He’s a hardworking member of the squad that I really appreciate, but I believe he’s still very, very far from reaching the top of his potential. He needs to improve and we cannot shy away from the facts [statistics]… goals are the identity of any striker and when you play 70 games and you score, you say [14] goals, you are putting yourself in a position [where people] would [question] how productive you are… I want the technical team to help him get to his level best.
Pirates only have the league and Nedbank Cup left to play for this season. How confident are you that you can do well in both competitions?
We just need to focus on every match of the remaining 19 [league games] and I believe the results will come our direction. We have no crisis in terms of performance. We play well and we are creating the chances.
Do you see the league going down to the wire?
This league has shown extreme competitiveness. You are three points away from heaven [the top] and three points away from hell [relegation zone]. A league is a marathon and I’m convinced this will be competitive [to the end]. In that competitiveness, we want to do our best.
You play Celtic away on Sunday and they have improved a lot under your countryman, Veselin Jelusic. Can you get the points there?
It’s a match like any other match, so it’s a match to fight for the three points. I’m expecting a full stadium, because Celtic is one of the bestsupported teams.