Bafana not on top of game
I always enjoy national soccer coach Stuart Baxter’s philosophy because he has the fire and tenacity to inspire a team, despite any number of obstacles. His team, however, lacks the defensive aptitude that Shakes Mashaba had and there’s no discernable purpose to the passing game we used to enjoy.
Dean Furman was tucked inside when Bafana possessed the ball anywhere on the field and Kamohelo Mokotjo was flaring out wide behind him.
I’ve seen this positioning from Baxter many times, but it felt more forced against an opposition, it gives an opposition more ammunition.
Bafana tried to attack with pace and vigour, working with obvious space in behind their opponents’ line with joy.
Everyone knows Bafana’s supporters have been used to the relentless negativity that their wider history instills.
So far, though, their instinct is correct.
This team has been culpable in several place of bad displacement and that Baxter sees the future of his side emanating from a tactic that was designed to shut out opponents may speak volumes.
The reliance upon power and energy, however, could cost them in continental football where a more disciplined approach is generally required.
I understand some blame in the power play in office politics affects the team’s performance, but I believe it is more than that.
It’s often said that leaving things alone is the hardest thing for a coach to do.
The coach doesn’t have power to control his players, his camp is divided and you could see that there’s no unity.
Baxter must restore his authority and make everyone feel equal to other teammates, then he’d easy make the team tick.
On him appointing his son: every coach prefers someone who he would be comfortable to work with because his job is on the line. Therefore, Baxter doesn’t have faith in local goalkeeper coaches and we can’t blame him for that.
Baxter can bring in whoever he wants as long the team win us games.