Mthatha Bucks’ new coach Velile Dyaloyi believes his plan to get the NFD rookies ticking is right on track.However, Dyaloyi, who took the reins just last week following the departure of Julius Dube, is concerned by the lack of competitive friendlies the club could have played during the Fifa break.
This he says denied him and assistant coach Mondli Funani the opportunity to assess players individually ahead of their first official match in charge this coming weekend.
Since Dyaloyi’s arrival Bucks have played just one friendly, against ABC Motsepe League side Mthatha City last week, winning 3-0.
The problem is that City play in a lower division and have not been doing that well of late.
Although this was a good match to assess players as individuals, said Dyaloyi, it was concerning that they did not get to play a friendly against a tougher opponent.
According to Dyaloyi, some players need to pull up their socks ahead of the contest away to Mbombela United on Sunday.
“The challenge right now is that the squad is too big and we need to do proper player assessment,” said Dyaloyi.
“We do not have quality friendlies, therefore it is difficult to assess players the way one would like to.
“We need to have a fine eye to identify the strengths and weaknesses.”
Bucks are still in search of their first win of the season having managed four draws and seven losses thus far in the ongoing season.
As such, they remain bottom of the standings with four points – four adrift of 15th-placed FC Cape Town.
Dyaloyi said the club’s offence and defence were both a cause for concern.
Amathol’amnyama have scored only five goals while conceding 16.
“That is the main problem and we are working on it, but also some players ought to improve in their performance.”
Dyaloyi described the mood at the club as “positive”, and called on the fans to come on board as he embarks on the tough mission to lift the club from the relegation zone.
As things stand, Bucks need a miracle to move up from the log basement.
With this being his first competitive match in charge, Dyaloyi’s real test will be on December 20 when Bucks host Moroka Swallows at the Mthatha Stadium.
For this encounter they will have had a month-long preparation period with no excuses likely to fly if they lose.
Bucks’ next four matches before reaching the halfway mark to the the 2015-16 season look easy on paper, with three of their opponents currently in the bottom half of the log table.
Only Mbombela, interestingly also rookies in the NFD, are in the top eight, while Swallows (14th), Santos (10th) and African Warriors (12th) are not far from relegation. — mawandem@dispatch.co.za
Bucks’ backs to wall
However, Dyaloyi, who took the reins just last week following the departure of Julius Dube, is concerned by the lack of competitive friendlies the club could have played during the Fifa break.
This he says denied him and assistant coach Mondli Funani the opportunity to assess players individually ahead of their first official match in charge this coming weekend.
Since Dyaloyi’s arrival Bucks have played just one friendly, against ABC Motsepe League side Mthatha City last week, winning 3-0.
The problem is that City play in a lower division and have not been doing that well of late.
Although this was a good match to assess players as individuals, said Dyaloyi, it was concerning that they did not get to play a friendly against a tougher opponent.
According to Dyaloyi, some players need to pull up their socks ahead of the contest away to Mbombela United on Sunday.
“The challenge right now is that the squad is too big and we need to do proper player assessment,” said Dyaloyi.
“We do not have quality friendlies, therefore it is difficult to assess players the way one would like to.
“We need to have a fine eye to identify the strengths and weaknesses.”
Bucks are still in search of their first win of the season having managed four draws and seven losses thus far in the ongoing season.
As such, they remain bottom of the standings with four points – four adrift of 15th-placed FC Cape Town.
Dyaloyi said the club’s offence and defence were both a cause for concern.
Amathol’amnyama have scored only five goals while conceding 16.
“That is the main problem and we are working on it, but also some players ought to improve in their performance.”
Dyaloyi described the mood at the club as “positive”, and called on the fans to come on board as he embarks on the tough mission to lift the club from the relegation zone.
As things stand, Bucks need a miracle to move up from the log basement.
With this being his first competitive match in charge, Dyaloyi’s real test will be on December 20 when Bucks host Moroka Swallows at the Mthatha Stadium.
For this encounter they will have had a month-long preparation period with no excuses likely to fly if they lose.
Bucks’ next four matches before reaching the halfway mark to the the 2015-16 season look easy on paper, with three of their opponents currently in the bottom half of the log table.
Only Mbombela, interestingly also rookies in the NFD, are in the top eight, while Swallows (14th), Santos (10th) and African Warriors (12th) are not far from relegation. — mawandem@dispatch.co.za
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