Hunt will leave sentiment at door

GAVIN Hunt denies any potential nostalgia when Bidvest Wits host SuperSport United tomorrow night - a club he won three back-to-back Premier League titles with in his six years there.

"I will be happy to see all the players again, but that's about it. I did sign all of them, after all," Hunt said about taking on Cavin Johnson's Matsatsantsa at Milpark Stadium (7.30pm kickoff).

Hunt might have the slight advantage of knowing United's make-up this season, having recruited the new faces at the Pretoria club just before he departed for a lucrative deal with the Clever Boys.

Before confirming he had committed to a long-term agreement with the Students, Hunt had already brought in David Mathebula, Bennett Chenene, Enocent Mkhabela and Thuso Phala to United as the former Premier League champions prepared for another attempt at a fourth title.

"We won't worry about the sentiments and emotional side of things. We are obviously playing at home and we have to take the initiative," said Hunt.

And does he feel that this is a battle between title contenders?

"I don't look at it like that. We are looking to catch up to those above us. But the race is wide open and I think it will go right down to the wire."

With a team that is third and only trailing log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns by four points, Hunt is in no way out of it. He borrowed a familiar statement from Owen da Gama's deflection tactics when he was the Orlando Pirates coach in 2008.

"Owen used to say it's a process, his favourite word. So we are looking at getting a sustainable way of playing that can give us results.

"But by the same token we are still going to try and get those results while we are also competitive," said Hunt.