PIRATES THROW AWAY MORE POINTS
Twice in three days Bucs have not been able to hang onto a lead and it’s costing them in their quest for silverware
THE FIRST thing Augusto Palacios, pictured, did after he settled into Orlando Stadium’s auditorium on Saturday night was complain about how hot the room was. But that heat, because there was no air conditioner, is a cool winter breeze compared to the heat Orlando Pirates’ defence is under after they failed to protect yet another lead.
In a space of three days the Buccaneers’ interim coach watched his side drop four points by drawing with Baroka FC and Highlands Park because of they lost concentration towards the end of their matches.
Those four points would have seen them join the leading pack in the Absa Premiership race. Pirates were ahead twice at Orlando Stadium on Saturday through the unstoppable Tendai Ndoro but the Lions of the North came back twice to snatch a point. It wasn’t as dramatic as how Baroka did it, but it was still painful to watch for those associated with the club.
“I don’t think that we can’t protect our lead,” Palacios said. “It’s just that we have had to make too many changes at the back because of injuries and suspensions. I am still shaping the team to play the way I want them to play. I don’t blame anyone. But we need time. Against Highlands it was the first time that we conceded two goals (in my time). “We practised how to stop the second goal. We knew that they like to cut inside and shoot. We need to be more solid when we are leading 1-0. I told the players that 1-0 is nothing. Nothing!”
If the Buccaneers don’t quickly improve, they will have nothing to celebrate next year when the club turns 80. Their biggest problem is the desire to make up for their slow start, which makes them anxious when they’re leading to the point that they concede silly goals and make unnecessary mistakes.
But Gladwin Shitolo in central midfield hardly put a foot wrong. The 27-year-old replaced captain Oupa Manyisa, who was out because of an inflamed toe.
Jackson Mabokgwane, Edwin Gyimah and Mpho Makola were all out because of different injuries, while Thabo Matlaba was serving the last game of his two-match suspension. These five players must prepare themselves to fight for their places back into the starting XI.
“One important thing that you need to understand about me is that I am a coach who believes in competition not names,” Palacios said.
“If the player performs, he must play. Oupa and Mpho were out injured, Shitolo came and he performed. I can’t drop him. This needs to be clear. The others must wait.
“It’s the same thing with Jackson. He was performing so he had to play. Brighton (Mhlongo) had to wait.”
Palacios continued: “If you look at the line-up we put out against Highlands, I gave a lot of players a chance in the starting XI and the bench.
“I like players who are committed to the team. I tell players when I give them a chance that you have this opportunity, don’t throw it away. Football for me isn’t about names. I don’t care whether you are in the national team or you are coming from overseas. I don’t look at that.
“I look at the performance. I am not here to favour any players. I am not afraid to make bold decisions. I don’t give the line-up on Friday (when we are playing on Saturday). I don’t work like that. Players need to be surprised when I announce the team.”