Pirates need killer instinct for derby clash with Amakhosi

ORLANDO PIRATES’ new coach, Kjell Jonevret (pictured), says he was impressed with how his side played against Polokwane City in their 1-1 draw this past weekend.

However, the Swedish-born gaffer stressed that the Sea Robbers would now need to be more fluid in attack, if they are to cause any form of problems for Kaizer Chiefs at this weekend’s Soweto Derby.

Amakhosi go into Saturday’s fixture having enjoyed a string of good results which sees them now being third on the PSL standings with 34 points from their last 19 league matches.

Pirates, on the other hand, have been struggling to produce the same type of results as their counterparts, as they are now bottom half of the table with 21 points from 18 league outings.

Their poor run of form has been a result of poor defending at the back, which has resulted in them conceding the second worst number of goals in the Absa Premiership race so far this season. Jonevret admitted that this was the first matter he had to address when he took over at the club this past week. “When I arrived here, I spoke to the players and they told me that they weren’t happy with how they have defended so far this season,” Jonevret said. “And that’s what we started with in our first two training sessions we’ve had together. I must say that I’m happy with how we defended in that match. We had good control of the game in both periods, but made one silly mistake which cost us a goal. However, that’s football for you. I always feel pity for players who commit such mistakes at the back. “We’ll have to move on from it.” Jonevret though, added that he would have loved to see his side come out with a win, as a draw wasn’t a result he had hoped to come out with against Rise and Shine leading up to the weekend’s big match.

“I’m not satisfied with that draw,” Jonevret said. “It’s different when a team fights till the last minute to score an equaliser, like Pirates did when they played to a 2-2 draw with Cape Town City, than just drawing. I love to win. But to add to that, I thought our defence was OK. However, we need to more fluidity in our attacking third.”

“I haven’t seen enough of Kaizer Chiefs,” Jonevret said, when asked how he was planning to prepare for the weekend’s match, though he had very little time to implement his philosophy into his new team. “I’ve watched a few of their matches but that’s not enough.

“Luckily enough; I’m surrounded by a good technical team who will help me with the analysis for that game.

“We have the whole week to prepare for it,” he added.