We had to recover quickly and be ready - Middendorp
We had to recover quickly and be ready - Middendorp

Posted in News, Team News on Nov 29, 2019.

“We regrouped immediately after the game on Sunday,” says coach Ernst Middendorp as he talks about the plans he had for Wednesday games against Stellenbosch FC. “We went on to deal with forward movements and our passing game. Moving and passing form part of a successful game. Tactically, we’ve recently seen opponents close us down quickly. We’ve had to work on the players that would take on opponents in one-on-one situations.”

Middendorp refers to his side’s overwhelming Absa Premiership victory of 4-0 over Stellenbosch FC in Cape Town.

“On Sunday, nobody got moving, we didn’t switch on,” admits Middendorp. “Maybe we missed some of the players. It happens when your combinations are interrupted.

“Stellenbosch FC and some other teams sit back and try to catch you on a counter. Check us back in August when we played against Black Leopards, you could see our passing game improving.”

Siyabonga Ngezana and Samir Nurković scored from set pieces. A pleased Middendorp explains: “Our set pieces work is one of our strong points. We go into set pieces with intensity. We have all the ingredients to be successful in set pieces - It’s a crucial element in modern football.”

Middendorp was also pleased with the application of his game plan, “Football is quiet easy. Don’t concede and contribute to scoring. We play with passion and energy, and that’s what we need”.

In the game Middendorp utilised all his substitutions, “It’s expected for the substitutions to support the starting team,” he adds. “We try to give each and every player a consistent training programme. We do these things in training - what is requested and what needs to be done.”

Amakhosi will have a break this weekend as the next game will be on Saturday, 7 December against Bloemfontein Celtic in Durban.

“The break is good when you have all of your players,” concludes Middendorp. “It is an issue when other players are not available. We will prepare for the next match which is Bloemfontein Celtic on 7th December.”

Amakhosi have a 10-point lead at the top of the log. Middendorp however says that he is not counting points. He would like to take one game at a time.

 

 

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