ORLANDO Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic believes his players are returning to the fighting form of early season after a second-half comeback against SuperSport United in Polokwane on Sunday lifted them to fourth place in the Absa Premiership.
"It's very important to get back the atmosphere and the attitude that we had in the beginning of the season and I saw some of that back against SuperSport.
"I did not recognise the team in the first half but after half time we showed some of our old selves again and that is a good thing," he said following the 2-1 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Vermezovic is banking on a good run from now until Christmas as Pirates play eight more matches this year.
"That works for me and I hope now with a game every three days, which is a rhythm we like, we'll be enjoying our playing again.
"We have another away game [against the University of Pretoria tomorrow] and then six successive games in Joburg. Of these six games, four will be at Orlando Stadium and there is an opportunity for us to close the gap [on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs]. It is now 12 points but we have played one game less."
Pirates meet Maritzburg United (December 2), Mamelodi Sundowns (December 10), Ajax Cape Town (December 13) and Bloemfontein Celtic (December 20). They also have the derby on December 6 against Chiefs.
Vermezovic had encouraging words for new goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo, who got his angles wrong for the SuperSport goal and had a few other shaky moments.
"He's a strong guy, he's got his confidence and just needs game time to be at the level that we know he can be. Watching him in training, he's working very hard and there is no question about his quality. But goalkeepers have to play to get confidence."
Meanwhile, SuperSport coach Gordon Igesund said the defeat would not have a bearing on his side ahead of Saturday's Telkom Knockout final against Platinum Stars.
"No damage at all, the players are very focused. They knew what we were doing against Pirates by making the changes we did and it won't have any effect," Igesund said.
"Thabo Moloi has been outstanding at right back and Clayton Daniels has been man of the match for so many matches. [Dove] Wome has been one of our top players. They all knew we gave an opportunity to one or two of the younger players, who didn't disappoint."
Vermezovic happy with Bucs fightback
ORLANDO Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic believes his players are returning to the fighting form of early season after a second-half comeback against SuperSport United in Polokwane on Sunday lifted them to fourth place in the Absa Premiership.
"It's very important to get back the atmosphere and the attitude that we had in the beginning of the season and I saw some of that back against SuperSport.
"I did not recognise the team in the first half but after half time we showed some of our old selves again and that is a good thing," he said following the 2-1 victory at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
Vermezovic is banking on a good run from now until Christmas as Pirates play eight more matches this year.
"That works for me and I hope now with a game every three days, which is a rhythm we like, we'll be enjoying our playing again.
"We have another away game [against the University of Pretoria tomorrow] and then six successive games in Joburg. Of these six games, four will be at Orlando Stadium and there is an opportunity for us to close the gap [on log leaders Kaizer Chiefs]. It is now 12 points but we have played one game less."
Pirates meet Maritzburg United (December 2), Mamelodi Sundowns (December 10), Ajax Cape Town (December 13) and Bloemfontein Celtic (December 20). They also have the derby on December 6 against Chiefs.
Vermezovic had encouraging words for new goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo, who got his angles wrong for the SuperSport goal and had a few other shaky moments.
"He's a strong guy, he's got his confidence and just needs game time to be at the level that we know he can be. Watching him in training, he's working very hard and there is no question about his quality. But goalkeepers have to play to get confidence."
Meanwhile, SuperSport coach Gordon Igesund said the defeat would not have a bearing on his side ahead of Saturday's Telkom Knockout final against Platinum Stars.
"No damage at all, the players are very focused. They knew what we were doing against Pirates by making the changes we did and it won't have any effect," Igesund said.
"Thabo Moloi has been outstanding at right back and Clayton Daniels has been man of the match for so many matches. [Dove] Wome has been one of our top players. They all knew we gave an opportunity to one or two of the younger players, who didn't disappoint."
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