Relegation battle is foreign to Wits’ Hunt

Jonty Mark

Gavin Hunt (right) is not used to a relegation scrap, but as much as possible, in a season that has been far from it, he is trying to keep it business as usual at Bidvest Wits.

Last season’s Absa Premiership champions have put up such a dreadful defence of their title that with two games left in the 2017/18 campaign, relegation remains a very real possibility. The Clever Boys host AmaZulu today with a run of one point from a possible 15 having dragged them right back into trouble, just two points clear of 15th-placed Ajax Cape Town.

It would be quite staggering if Wits were forced to play-off for their top-flight status, given the talent in their squad, and given the pedigree of their coach, who has not finished outside of the top eight in the top flight since he ended up in 14th place in charge of Hellenic in the 2000/01 season. 16 consecutive seasons as a head coach have followed at Black Leopards, Moroka Swallows, SuperSport United and Wits, including four Absa Premiership titles.

“I have been worried since 1995,” quipped Hunt this week, in reference to when he began coaching at Seven Stars.

His side had just been hammered 4-0 by Orlando Pirates this week, deepening their problems, in a week where Ajax and SuperSport United both won.

“I go to work every day. I will be there tomorrow morning at 6am, doing my thing. Win or lose, that is not going to change.”

The Wits coach added that he was just as stressed at this stage in the title race last season.

“We hadn’t won the league yet,” he said.

“My worries (this season) have been about minor things, injuries, suspensions, about fielding a settled team. That hasn’t happened since day one. For sure, we are worried (about relegation), but we can’t relay that to the dressingroom. We have to keep calm and prepare like we do normally.”