University of Pretoria coach Steve Barker says he is encouraged by comments from Mamelodi Sundowns' Pitso Mosimane and feels his young Pretoria outfit are finally earning the respect they deserve in the Premiership.
Barker responded to Mosimane's praise-filled analysis of Tuks 2-1 defeat to Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon, a result which broke a five-match unbeaten run in the league.
"It's good for me to know that our club has got to a stage where we are respected. I'm glad we're heading in the right direction," Barker said after the defeat.
"Our points tally doesn't show how well we've done this season. Sometimes the performances are good, but the results don't always go your way."
Sundowns went level on points with Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs as a result.
Anthony Laffor put the hosts ahead in first-half injury time, before Tuks drew level midway through the second period, courtesy of Atusaye Nyondo's header in the 63rd minute.
The Brazilians held their nerve and took the lead once more through Lebohang Mokoena shortly after and held on for their fifth successive league victory, and sixth in all competitions.
"I do think, while my colleague Pitso is giving us a lot of credit for today, I think they also need to get credit," Barker said.
"We've come off five games unbeaten and we haven't conceded in our last three, so for a team like Sundowns to have broken us down and scored, shows the quality that they have.
"Unfortunately just before half-time they scored, but I must say that today they showed signs of a team that feel like they can win the league."
Looking at his own troops, Barker said he was pleased, once again, with what he saw from AmaTuks throughout the derby encounter.
"I just want to give my players credit. If we can play with this type of attitude and commitment that we showed today away from home against one of the best teams in the country, it bodes well for us going forward," he said.
"There are still young players in the team that are still learning, but I'm very impressed with the strides that they've been showing over the last 18 months.
"We've still got a job to do to get ourselves out of the position that we are, but I'm confident that within the next three or four games, we can reassess our targets and hopefully put some pressure on the teams above us."
The loss was Barker's 12th of the season, leaving his team stuck in 10th in the standings, level with Ajax Cape Town 28.
AmaTuks have consecutive home games this week against league strugglers Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows, who are just a point behind Tuks with a game in hand.
Barker believed their fate was in their own hands as the Premiership neared its conclusion.
"Our big games are Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows at home in the space of four days starting on Saturday and Tuesday," he said.
"If we can take the same effort, add a bit more quality in terms of our final third decision-making and play, I think we're a team that can score more goals than we have been demonstrating."
This type of attitude and commitment bodes well for us: AmaTuks coach
University of Pretoria coach Steve Barker says he is encouraged by comments from Mamelodi Sundowns' Pitso Mosimane and feels his young Pretoria outfit are finally earning the respect they deserve in the Premiership.
Barker responded to Mosimane's praise-filled analysis of Tuks 2-1 defeat to Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Sunday afternoon, a result which broke a five-match unbeaten run in the league.
"It's good for me to know that our club has got to a stage where we are respected. I'm glad we're heading in the right direction," Barker said after the defeat.
"Our points tally doesn't show how well we've done this season. Sometimes the performances are good, but the results don't always go your way."
Sundowns went level on points with Premiership leaders Kaizer Chiefs as a result.
Anthony Laffor put the hosts ahead in first-half injury time, before Tuks drew level midway through the second period, courtesy of Atusaye Nyondo's header in the 63rd minute.
The Brazilians held their nerve and took the lead once more through Lebohang Mokoena shortly after and held on for their fifth successive league victory, and sixth in all competitions.
"I do think, while my colleague Pitso is giving us a lot of credit for today, I think they also need to get credit," Barker said.
"We've come off five games unbeaten and we haven't conceded in our last three, so for a team like Sundowns to have broken us down and scored, shows the quality that they have.
"Unfortunately just before half-time they scored, but I must say that today they showed signs of a team that feel like they can win the league."
Looking at his own troops, Barker said he was pleased, once again, with what he saw from AmaTuks throughout the derby encounter.
"I just want to give my players credit. If we can play with this type of attitude and commitment that we showed today away from home against one of the best teams in the country, it bodes well for us going forward," he said.
"There are still young players in the team that are still learning, but I'm very impressed with the strides that they've been showing over the last 18 months.
"We've still got a job to do to get ourselves out of the position that we are, but I'm confident that within the next three or four games, we can reassess our targets and hopefully put some pressure on the teams above us."
The loss was Barker's 12th of the season, leaving his team stuck in 10th in the standings, level with Ajax Cape Town 28.
AmaTuks have consecutive home games this week against league strugglers Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows, who are just a point behind Tuks with a game in hand.
Barker believed their fate was in their own hands as the Premiership neared its conclusion.
"Our big games are Polokwane City and Moroka Swallows at home in the space of four days starting on Saturday and Tuesday," he said.
"If we can take the same effort, add a bit more quality in terms of our final third decision-making and play, I think we're a team that can score more goals than we have been demonstrating."
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