The biggest threat
Arrows coach wary of Orlando Pirates dangerman
Clinton Larsen wants Lamontville Golden Arrows to upset the form book and score early against a schizophrenic but on-form Orlando Pirates in the teams’ Absa Premiership clash at the Orlando Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday.
Arrows coach Larsen said they would have to focus for 90 minutes and, importantly, avoid allowing Bucs to get on top early.
Pirates might be top of the PSL‚ but the scary part about the Buccaneers is that they are also clearly still a work in progress‚ as evidenced by their last two games.
Bucs had 2-0 leads by the break against Cape Town City at home and Baroka away‚ and endured nervous second halves against both.
Pirates allowed City to come back for a 2-2 draw and held on for a 2-1 win against Bakgaga.
“Ja‚ no‚ I think we’ve got to just focus for 90 minutes against a team like that‚” Larsen said on Tuesday.
“A very dangerous team‚ I think, with some in-form players if you look at the likes of Xola Mlambo‚ Vincent Pule‚ Thembinkosi Lorch and Augustine Mulenga‚ to name a few.
“And yeah‚ they start the game very brightly – they try to get an early goal. And that’s something we’ve got to be wary of.
“But at the same time‚ sometimes the pushing forward like that with numbers can leave them exposed. And it’s in those moments that we need to capitalise.
“Pirates haven’t peaked. I think all the teams in the league haven’t peaked.
“But I think in terms of consistency and a team playing a very attacking brand of football, Pirates are right up there with the best.”
Arrows have had a tough start to 2018-19.
They won their first game 2-0 against Maritzburg United away but have not had a victory since in eight league and cup fixtures.
Larsen has been frustrated that 11th-placed Arrows could not convert three draws from their seven PSL games into wins.
“That’s been our achilles heel – not killing off games when we’ve had the chances.
“We’ve really got to start on the front foot against Pirates‚ get an early goal and frustrate them. Because once they get a goal they become a difficult proposition.”