Kickoff (Cape Town)
1 December 2008
Maritzburg United have ditched trying to play appealing football, and has put Plan B in action for their match against beaten Telkom Knockout semifinalists Free State Stars this weekend.
"We have been trying too hard to please our supporters by playing the brand of football that they want, and have produced exciting football but without winning the game," coach Gordon Igesund explained recently.
"Against Bay United, I wanted the team to play a percentage game, with less risk at the back and more direct going forward. We had to play to win and get the three points, to relieve some of the pressure on the team.
"We have never been in a situation where we have been panicking or the players have felt threatened in any way," Igesund adds.
"We know what our objective is this season, and we are still on track to reach our goals. We may be 12th, but we are actually almost in mid-table because there are four teams separated by just two points.
"We weren't playing well in our last six games. I wasn't pleased to lose 4-1 to Wits, but that wasn't a reflection of the game. We went through a period when we were making silly mistakes that cost us heavily.
"I am very relieved and pleased that we finally got a result against Bay, and I think the defence has a better understanding now."
Igesund will be looking for a more solid performance in the Absa Premiership this weekend as his players attempt to regain their confidence ahead of their matches against Orlando Pirates in Durban (December 14) and Mamelodi Sundowns in Pretoria (December 17).
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