It’s time for work at City says McCarthy
THE MTN8 CHAMPS ARE NEAR THE BOTTOM OF THE PSL LOG
With just a single victory from their first eight games of the new league season, Benni McCarthy is increasingly concerned about the plight of his Cape Town City side, even if they have won a trophy this season.
The delight of success in the MTN8 last month is tempered by a poor start to the league campaign that has left the club hovering near the bottom of the table.
City are next in action in the Telkom Knockout, in which they have been drawn away against AmaZulu in the first round next week, but McCarthy says the real focus will be on the six matches in the league before Christmas.
“These are the ones we are targeting for points to push us up the table,” he said yesterday.
City lie in a precarious position with seven points and just above the bottom-two relegation slots on goal difference.
They began the league season brightly with a home win over SuperSport United, but since have gone seven league games without a win, which is a serious source of concern for the City coach.
The positive impact of winning the MTN8 is one factor that McCarthy feels will help turn around their form, but his strikers finding the back of the net is the priority.
City’s next league game is home to AmaZulu on 27 October, meaning they play the Durban club twice in a row.
Then they have Black Leopards at home on 11 November, Polokwane City away at the end of the month and then in December play Highlands Park (away), Chippa United (home) and Bloemfontein Celtic (home).
“There are some tough games in there, but also games we should be winning. We’ve played the likes of Chiefs, Pirates and SuperSport already and now we need to pick up points against teams with less pressure.
“It’s a time to really knuckle down and work,” McCarthy added.