23 September 2019, by: Thabang Kgeledi

PSL Talking Points – Matchday 6

Another fascinating weekend of PSL football as the unlikely Polokwane City continued their league charge against an in form Supersport United.

Meanwhile, Bidvest Wits and Gavin Hunt got the better of Orlando Pirates in a thriller on Saturday night in Durban. The Buccaneers are playing exciting but not winning football.

In a match that could be considered as the game of the season so far, it was fun for the neutral but it must have been hard to watch as an Orlando Pirates supporter. The Buccaneers went down by 4 goals to 3 against Wits on Saturday night.

Let’s get into the weekends biggest PSL talking points.

BET: PSL

1. Their defence

Orlando Pirates are a talented team going forward but their defence has more holes in it than a stainless steel colander. After their win against Chippa United last week, I prophesied (I should actually start charging people for predicting the future) that Pirates would concede more goals against a better attacking team. Which they did, four to be exact. Mokwena is sacrificing defence for attack by playing full-backs as central defenders and wingers and his wingbacks.

2. Their game management

When Orlando Pirates concede a goal it’s panic stations. They go Ultra Attack mode. Yes, when you behind the impetus is on you to get the next goal but, that doesn’t mean leave your self wide open at the back.

Both these problems are fixable with good coaching. Mokwena may have been a tad bit naive in his first games as the man in charge. Let’s hope for Orlando Pirates’ supporter’s sake (because we all know how fragile they are) he has learned his lessons.

Lyle Lakay’s 91st minute right-footed (his weaker foot) half-volley helped Sundowns come away with a 2-1 victory against Mariztburg United on Saturday evening. The Brazilians were in firm control of the game in the first half and should have scored more. They let United get back into it and, in the end, the KZN based team deserved at least a draw.

Last week Wednesday Pitso Mosimane’s men were knocked out of the MTN 8 semifinals after their 2-0 second-leg defeat (3-1 on aggregate) to Supersport United. Downs were outplayed that night, it seemed as though Supersport (especially my favourite player of all time Thamsanqa Gabuza) wanted it more.

Over the weekend they showed a bit more desire at the beginning of the game but it waned as the match progressed. Sundowns weren’t busy in the off season’s transfer market. Could it be that his players are mentally fatigued? Having to win every game you play for the three years in a row could be taxing.

Maritzburg United played well against Sundowns, they probably deserved a draw from the game. However, in football you don’t get points for the effort you get points for results. United have now played five league games without a win.

Last Monday we saw three coaches being fired by their respective PSL teams; Eric Tinkler could be next. Maritzburg United barely survived the drop last season. They won the bogus promotion-relegation play-offs to remain in the top flight.

The team of choice made a splurge on new players like Jeremy Brockie, Daylon Klaasen, Kwandakwensizwa Mngonyama in the offseason. The team should be winning games! Eric Tinkler is one bad result from the chop so he better make sure his team gets him a win against fellow strugglers Chippa on Friday.

Polokwane City defeated Supersport United 3-1 to place them on top of the league after six games. I know most of you are thinking that 15 games in this won’t be the case. But with the team that Polokwane City have, they could pull off a Leicester City.

Okay, I may have just jinxed them by saying that but Rise and Shine are a really good side. They defend well and are lethal on the counter. Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport United found it difficult to break them down.

In a league where Kaizer Chiefs are still a few players away from seriously competing, Orlando Pirates’ defence leaks more goals than certain publications leak certain bank statements (from certain presidents), Sundowns may have winners-fatigue and Cape Town City… Uhm well, I don’t know what’s wrong with them, Polokwane City have a chance to upset the apple cart and win the whole thing!

Something is wrong with Cape Town City. But I can’t put my finger on it. After six games played they have only won one game and are languishing in 11th position on the Premiership table. This is not the team we have come to respect over the past couple of seasons of Benni Mccarthy tenure.

Yesterday they drew again, this time against Golden Arrows. Opportunities aplenty but goals, only one. Every team goes through its lean spells in the season and this is Cape Town City’s. Maybe Benni McCarthy is a couple of favourable results away from being the team we expect them to be.

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