Change of tactics lifts Birds
Marques promises to reinforce Birds squad ahead of next season
CHANGES to the tactical combinations have been the reason for Moroka Swallows’ change of fortunes in the second half.
CHANGES to the tactical combinations have been the reason for Moroka Swallows’ change of fortunes in the second half of the Absa Premiership, says coach Zeca Marques.
The Dube Birds, who finished runners-up in the 2011-12 season, found themselves in troubled waters in the early stages of the season, despite having managed to add to their barren trophy cabinet after clinching the MTN8 cup.
The Birds had been lingering near the bottom of the log for the better part of the first half of the season, resulting in Marques at one stage offering to step down as head honcho.
However, the side has shown immense progress since the resumption of the season.
Following their 1-0 win over Black Leopards on Tuesday, the side broke into the top eight on the log (before last night’s premiership matches).
“I’m delighted we have turned the season around and things are starting to look good, not only for now, but for the future,” Marques said. “We have started to identify the key problems we had in the past and now we have ironed them out.”
What has brought about the change in fortunes? The formation implemented, is Marques’s answer.
The Dube Birds began the season using a 4-3-3 system, but just before the Christmas break, Marques tried out a 4-2-3-1 formation that worked well and he has been implementing since. “Defensively, we became more solid, more compact,” he said.
“Obviously, having the two holding midfielders in Lefa (Tsutsulupa) and the youngster (Sibusiso) Khumalo, who has improved with each match, has had a huge impact.
“Having the two central defenders in Roger da Costa and Larry (Cohen), we have become more aggressive defensively and more robust — we have stopped leaking goals.”
Questions have been raised about whether the Dube Birds will be able to hold their own next season as they look set to lose a number of players at the end of the season. Stars Bennett Chenene and David Mathebula have already signed pre-contracts with SuperSport United, who are on a spending spree.
Lizo Mjempu and Giulio Giuricich are also among players rumoured to be on their way out.
Marques is not overly concerned about an exodus of players and has confidence in his rebuilding of the side for next season. “Players come and go, but obviously it’s not nice to lose players that are doing the job for you,” the coach said.
“The nice thing is that I’m aware now who is leaving and know which players have to be replaced. The worst part is always not knowing and then getting a surprise at the end of the season.
“At least now we have enough time to identify (new talent). I’m not too worried.”
Marques said yesterday that the area he would be looking to bolster most for the new season would be the midfield. But he would look for additions to other positions as well.
Swallows next play Wits, tomorrow at Dobsonville Stadium.
Meanwhile, Ajax Cape Town coach Jan Versleijen has said he has made an impassioned plea to his players to fight for their lives to save the team from relegation.
This followed their 3-1 Absa Premiership defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus on Tuesday night.
The Ajax coach arrived late for the post-match press conference and said it was because he had been giving his players a tongue-lashing. The Dutchman had to put his foot down as he believed his team, placed second-last on the log, had not shown the passion required in a relegation situation.
“I don’t want to take credit away from Sundowns because I’m 100% sure they deserved to win,” Versleijen said.
“But I took more time to get here (to the press conference) because I had a speech with the players, and more or less against the players.
“You have to fight to get results. Nice football is good because that is the intention,” he said.
“But only playing nice football is not enough to stay out of relegation. You cannot say every week that today we played a nice game and next week we will try again — eventually it becomes too late.
“That’s what I have to get in the minds of the players. I told them: ‘You’re standing with two feet on the edge of a cliff. One push and you’re gone.’ ” With Marc Strydom