‘No pressure’ on Pirates for semi
Buccaneers coach Vermezovic says they will treat all opponents, Wits included, ‘with respect’
ORLANDO Pirates may not have won a league game yet, but the players can relax in the knowledge that coach Vladimir Vermezovic is not going to put them under pressure.
ORLANDO Pirates may not have won a league game yet, but the players can relax in the knowledge that coach Vladimir Vermezovic is not going to put them under pressure.
The Soweto outfit played to a 2-2 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic at the Free State stadium on Wednesday night, with star midfielder Oupa Manyisa netting a brace.
With the first leg of the MTN8 semifinal against Bidvest Wits on Sunday afternoon fast approaching, Vermezovic said he would approach the match against Wits feeling no pressure. Also, added Vermezovic, they will give all their opponents, Wits included, “respect” as it was not about the reputation of their foes, but, rather, getting the results.
“We try to prepare our games without thinking about the names of our opponents. It doesn’t matter if you’re going to play Wits, Kaizer Chiefs or (Mamelodi) Sundowns. Our opponents deserve respect … a semifinal is a semifinal. I’m not going to put pressure on my players saying ‘you must win’. Why? They must perform, they must give 100%,” Vermezovic said.
He maintained that his charges were experienced enough to deal with the high expectations of delivering for the club’s demanding supporters. He pointed to the club’s recent success, saying that should see the club through, not only the Wits game, but the upcoming season as well. He also refused to blame his defenders despite their conceding two goals against Celtic, saying they were “strong” in their display.
Meanwhile, Wits coach Gavin Hunt joked yesterday that he barely knew some of his players because of the changes Bidvest Wits have made this season, but his point was that their tepid start to the campaign has not been a surprise.
The coach hopes to ditch the conservative approach when the Clever Boys host Orlando Pirates in the first leg of their MTN8 semifinal on Sunday, following a midweek draw against AmaTuks at the same Milpark grounds.
“Some of these guys are still trying to find their way and I am not surprised at all at the slow start. What did people expect? I mean I don’t even know some of my players’ names because every year we are changing them, making it difficult,” said Hunt.
“It does take time. You can have as many pre-season games as you like, but the truth is you need the real games. But our advantage is that we play over two legs and we are starting at home. Maybe we can benefit from the away goal rule.”
Hunt yesterday denied that he had earlier talked up their chances for silverware this season, blaming the press for describing this season as make or break for the Clever Boys.
With two unconvincing wins and a draw so far this season, the coach has changed his tune.
“I haven’t said a word. From our standpoint we don’t announce those things because I haven’t made utterances about that — it’s people creating the hype. Last season we made great strides, but now we’ve lost pretty much the core of the team,” Hunt said. With Mazola Molefe