Pride in badge key for Pirates
New coach Milutin Sredojevic is pleased with the way his players are responding and makes sharpening their finishing in front of goal a priority.
Orlando Pirates’ primary ambition in the PSL this season is to reclaim lost honour as they build up their confidence up again after a horror season, says new coach Milutin Sredojevic. “The players want to redeem themselves. They have pride. Our main target - before any result - is to reclaim the pride of the badge which we wear, which has 80 years of history and holds the dreams of millions of supporters,” he told SOCCER BET Express. “I’m very pleased with the response I’m getting from my players. I’m enjoying working with my coaching colleagues, but nothing would be happening if the players weren’t responding. I am fully aware of what happened last season,” said the Serbian-born coach, who is in his second spell at the club and recently replaced Swede Kjell Jonevret. The Buccaneers had their worst ever finish since the launch of the PSL 20 years ago, when they crashed to 11th in the league standings at the end of the last campaign. They were also embarrassing in June’s Nedbank Cup final, in which they played with no tactical discipline and were given a solid 4-1 spanking by SuperSport United. “I have no magic stick but I know something: when players respond well and when we are working very hard with them, then as a team we shall find a way to profit from it. I’m sure this will happen.” Pirates go into tonight’s home clash with Cape Town City in buoyant mood after two victories and two draws from their opening four matches of the new season, in the process earning some trust from TAB soccer bets players. Their unbeaten start puts them up among the early pacesetters. But Sredojevic says there is still a long way to go before Pirates come close to their first league title since back-to-back triumphs in 2011 and 2012. “Football is not a game of logic. You go two steps forward, three forward, four backwards and so on … you need to work hard to achieve consistency. Man management of players is important, because improving the individual is to the betterment of the team. Then we can reach our goals and satisfy the desire of our supporters as well as our own plans.” The 48-year-old coach adds that it is imperative to fix the club’s poor finishing. They have scored just one goal in each of their four matches. “We are in a process. As a team we are supposed to have variety and better solutions in finishing situations, especially from the sides, from crosses and from shooting from distance when chances arise. And, of course, in set-piece situations.” Pirates face a daunting week. After their home clash with City, they make the short journey to BidVest Wits on Saturday. Four points from the two games would be a fine return!