Pirates more structured - Davids
Orlando Pirates are up to ninth in the ABSA Premiership standings.
Listen to the full interview here, or read our story below.
This follows their 2-0 victory over Maritzburg United at Orlando Stadium.
Maritzburg coach, Fadlu Davids, believes Pirates have changed the way they play since the arrival of Kjell Jonevret.
"Pirates are a bit more defensively structured. We have to look at the possession stats. They focus a lot in their 4-2-3-1. Really sitting and being compact. One example in Matlaba. Usually he is both over-lapping and under-lapping. He is all over the pitch. He is now a bit more structured. He is waiting for the right moment to move forward. So Jonevret has brought a lot of stability. He has perhaps not managed all the wins he was supposed to. However, there is a lot more structure and direction in terms of how they want to defend. I am sure that this is the first thing any new coach wants to work on. That is getting the defence sorted," Davids said.
The Team of Choice coach feels there were some good moments for Maritzburg last night.
"We did unlock them in certain areas and in certain ways. This not due to their inability to defend. I have to compliment my players in terms of finding positions on the pitch where Pirates were weak. This in terms of their blind-side between the lines in the half-spaces and then over-lapping and under-lapping. So I want more to compliment my players. There is a structure within Pirates. You can clearly see it. This compared to the last time we played them. I really think they are on a good way," Davids added.
Golden Arrows also lost in the ABSA Premiership last night.
Bidvest Wits are top of the log after defeating Arrows 3-0.
Arrows coach, Clinton Larsen, believes they experienced a Nedbank Cup hangover.
"We knew it was going to be difficult. This after the effort the boys put in on Saturday. I could see that we were a bit flat. Wits looked very fresh. None of their players that played today were involved in the CAF game or in the Nedbank game. You know they have the depth in their squad to rest players. We don't have that luxury. I thought that we were flat from the start tonight. So the effects of Saturday's game and efforts took its toll on the players," Larsen said.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are third in the standings, have an ABSA Premiership date at Bloemfontein Celtic tonight.
Maritzburg coach, Fadlu Davids, believes Pirates have changed the way they play since the arrival of Kjell Jonevret.
"Pirates are a bit more defensively structured. We have to look at the possession stats. They focus a lot in their 4-2-3-1. Really sitting and being compact. One example in Matlaba. Usually he is both over-lapping and under-lapping. He is all over the pitch. He is now a bit more structured. He is waiting for the right moment to move forward. So Jonevret has brought a lot of stability. He has perhaps not managed all the wins he was supposed to. However, there is a lot more structure and direction in terms of how they want to defend. I am sure that this is the first thing any new coach wants to work on. That is getting the defence sorted," Davids said.
The Team of Choice coach feels there were some good moments for Maritzburg last night.
"We did unlock them in certain areas and in certain ways. This not due to their inability to defend. I have to compliment my players in terms of finding positions on the pitch where Pirates were weak. This in terms of their blind-side between the lines in the half-spaces and then over-lapping and under-lapping. So I want more to compliment my players. There is a structure within Pirates. You can clearly see it. This compared to the last time we played them. I really think they are on a good way," Davids added.
Golden Arrows also lost in the ABSA Premiership last night.
Bidvest Wits are top of the log after defeating Arrows 3-0.
Arrows coach, Clinton Larsen, believes they experienced a Nedbank Cup hangover.
"We knew it was going to be difficult. This after the effort the boys put in on Saturday. I could see that we were a bit flat. Wits looked very fresh. None of their players that played today were involved in the CAF game or in the Nedbank game. You know they have the depth in their squad to rest players. We don't have that luxury. I thought that we were flat from the start tonight. So the effects of Saturday's game and efforts took its toll on the players," Larsen said.
Kaizer Chiefs, who are third in the standings, have an ABSA Premiership date at Bloemfontein Celtic tonight.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre