‘We are judged on points, not beautiful moves’

ERIC Tinkler is eager to witness Maritzburg United turning beautiful football into points.

Maritzburg are still rooted at the foot of the table with 17 points after 24 games, although Tinkler has brought a new lease of life to the Pietermaritzburg-based outfit.

Maritzburg are scoring goals under Tinkler’s tenure; they have only failed to score once since he took over the reins from Muhsin Ertugral in January.

“I feel for the boys because I think they deserve more. If I look at all the games that we’ve played, I think we’ve deserved more. But it doesn’t help us; points help us. That’s what this game is all about. That’s how I get judged as a coach, not how pretty the team plays and how many chances we created. That means a very little,” Tinkler said.

The Team of Choice suffered a 2-1 loss before the Fifa break at the expense of the defending league champions, Mamelodi Sundowns.

“We are still sitting at the bottom of the table. That’s the harsh reality. That’s what everyone cares about. I feel for the boys because they work so hard. I can’t fault my players. They are showing desire and they are showing passion, and that’s what you need,” he said.

Maritzburg will welcome Bloemfontein Celtic at the Harry Gwala Stadium, in Pietermaritzburg, on April 6 in an Absa Premiership tussle.

“You have to understand that the players are feeling it the most. Club officials feel it, but the ones who feel it the most are the players,” Tinkler said.

Maritzburg have a mountain to climb to avoid relegation, but they can still do it. They will lock horns against Celtic, Highlands Park, Pirates, Black Leopards, SuperSport United and Baroka FC in their remaining matches.

“Now, we have to sit for four weeks. It is what it is. We still have got to get another result against Bloemfontein Celtic and against Orlando Pirates. That plays on the minds of the players. It is going to be hard work for the next four weeks to keep them focused and motivated. We’ve got to look to play some friendlies. We have to keep that intensity,” Tinkler said.