These teams are really proving to be the best football teams in this country both on and off the pitch, when a team wins at home and wins away hardly breaking a sweat, you have to sit up and take notice.
A lot of people wondered about the selling of key players by John Comitis at the end of last season, Fanteni, Eyong and Moon were the backbone of that team, they also sold Paulse, Isaacs and Mwafulira, they also lost Vonk, that is almost the entire starting lineup, but the team seems to be largely unaffected by that exodus, amazing.
Supersport on the other hand are applying themselves like defending champions both on and off the field, it’s amazing how since the days of Pitso this team has managed to rule the transfer market, a lesson they must share with their Tshwane neighbours is that the transfer market is not about buying 13 players.
But it is about filling the gaps in your team with the best available talent without really breaking the bank; having a thorough knowledge of the terms and conditions of the players you want as well as having faith in young players, Anthony Laffor, and recently Lerato Chabangu come to mind and to top it all of, they have that exciting winger Masibusane Zongo whom Pirates know very well, at Ajax there is Sameeg Doutie and Nazzier Allie, again I will say “amazing”.
Is it another coincidence that these teams are coached by South African coaches? Maybe or maybe not. There is a lot to learn from these two teams by the rest of the PSL, basic sound administration can go a long way strengthening a team.
A coach who understands players and the mentality of his players is key, this does not mean a coach will be soft, everyone knows that Gavin Hunt is rather abrasive, wise buying is key, flashing the cheque book willy nilly is not it, careful considered buying is more important no matter how rich the team is. It’s only halfway through the season but it looks like it’s a two horse race again, the old rich horses are nowhere to be seen. Welcome to 2009.
By the way, I noticed with amusement a daily publication which all of a sudden has a column called “Dr. Know it All”, IF YOU CANT BEAT THEM, COPY THEM!!!
MR KNOW IT ALL
Mr. Know it ALL’s I write what I like
