Kaizer Chiefs’ wastefulness in front of goal has everything to do with confidence that coach Steve Komphela asserts is being eroded by abuse on social media.
He say players are taking less risks these days and attempting less innovative moves because they are scared of the negative feedback that follows failure.
“Unfortunately we are living in the social media era where everything is in the players’ faces‚" Komphela said.
“At the end of the game the player goes out and checks (what is being said about him). If he has missed chances‚ they say he is a cow‚ he is this and that.
“That player is obviously going to be affected emotionally and mentally and he is not going to be the same player in terms of trying to score in the next game.”
Komphela says there is much less space in the modern game with tighter and better organised defences and therefore players need to be even more creative if they are to prise open opportunities and score goals.
But because of the abuse they are increasingly reluctant.
“He won’t want to get into a position which is going to expose him because after trying and failing he faces abuse‚” the coach added.
Chiefs missed several good opportunities on Wednesday night as they went down 1-0 to Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and have now scored just twice in their previous six outings.
Their total for the league season so far is a paltry 11 in 13.
The defeat means they are without a win in their last five league games‚ increasing the pressure on coach Steve Komphela‚ who says his coaching job is being split between on-field work and acting as a psychologist.
“Any coach must some level of skill of being as psychologist.
"You are dealing with emotions.
"If they are high‚ you must detect and bring them down.
"If they are too low and you feel they are just about to crumble‚ you have to lift them.
“When you determine what action to take -- to lift them up or bring them down go Mother Earth – it calls for a certain level of understanding.
“At the end of the match‚ when the referee blew the whistle‚ you could see all the gold and black shirts (Chiefs) were down.
“The first thing that comes to mind is ‘what message are we sending?’
"You have to immediately there and lift them up because it is not only about the players going down but it is the depression they send to their own (supporters) in the stands.
“It is not only for coaches to inspire players but it is also for players to stand on behalf of their people. We have to show character‚ that we’ve taken it on the chin and we can say‚ ‘I still have my head held up high’.
“You need that because if you drop your shoulders you are depressing those who support you‚” added Komphela‚ who side next play away against Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday.
Embattled Komphela blames ailing Chiefs' poor form on social media
He say players are taking less risks these days and attempting less innovative moves because they are scared of the negative feedback that follows failure.
“Unfortunately we are living in the social media era where everything is in the players’ faces‚" Komphela said.
“At the end of the game the player goes out and checks (what is being said about him). If he has missed chances‚ they say he is a cow‚ he is this and that.
“That player is obviously going to be affected emotionally and mentally and he is not going to be the same player in terms of trying to score in the next game.”
Komphela says there is much less space in the modern game with tighter and better organised defences and therefore players need to be even more creative if they are to prise open opportunities and score goals.
But because of the abuse they are increasingly reluctant.
“He won’t want to get into a position which is going to expose him because after trying and failing he faces abuse‚” the coach added.
Chiefs missed several good opportunities on Wednesday night as they went down 1-0 to Chippa United at the Nelson Mandela Stadium and have now scored just twice in their previous six outings.
Their total for the league season so far is a paltry 11 in 13.
The defeat means they are without a win in their last five league games‚ increasing the pressure on coach Steve Komphela‚ who says his coaching job is being split between on-field work and acting as a psychologist.
“Any coach must some level of skill of being as psychologist.
"You are dealing with emotions.
"If they are high‚ you must detect and bring them down.
"If they are too low and you feel they are just about to crumble‚ you have to lift them.
“When you determine what action to take -- to lift them up or bring them down go Mother Earth – it calls for a certain level of understanding.
“At the end of the match‚ when the referee blew the whistle‚ you could see all the gold and black shirts (Chiefs) were down.
“The first thing that comes to mind is ‘what message are we sending?’
"You have to immediately there and lift them up because it is not only about the players going down but it is the depression they send to their own (supporters) in the stands.
“It is not only for coaches to inspire players but it is also for players to stand on behalf of their people. We have to show character‚ that we’ve taken it on the chin and we can say‚ ‘I still have my head held up high’.
“You need that because if you drop your shoulders you are depressing those who support you‚” added Komphela‚ who side next play away against Platinum Stars at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Saturday.
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