ORLANDO Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa is media-shy, but at the weekend he came out of his shell to defend caretaker coach Eric Tinkler, who was criticised for persisting with a single striker.
Pirates supporters have slammed the formation, which has been used by the past two coaches, Vladimir Vermezovic and Roger de Sa.
Their call to have Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus together up front continues to fall on deaf ears.
On Saturday against Kaizer Chiefs, Tinkler chose to go with Majoro as the lone man up front, but the striker could not find his way past Amakhosi's twin towers Mulomowandau Mathoho and Tefu Mashamaite. Bucs fans were furious when Majoro was replaced by Erasmus in the 2-0 defeat, screaming at Tinkler to play them both.
"If you go back to the days when Roger de Sa was our coach we played with one striker and five midfielders. Coach VV came and he used the same system," Manyisa said. "Coach Eric is still using the same system and it does not affect the players at all."
Tinkler explained his decision to go with one man up front and believes it can work if Bucs keep the ball on the ground.
"I don't think the problem is that we play with one striker. Oupa was playing close to Majoro a lot and at half time I told them that they needed to get closer to the midfield so that we can keep the ball," he said.
"Our strength is playing the ball on the ground and keeping possession, but we were forced to play long balls [against Chiefs]. The reality is we were never going to win those balls. When we keep the ball on the ground and rotate possession, then we can create opportunities."
Tinkler said he was hoping Majoro and Erasmus would rediscover their early-season form in front of goal to help the Buccaneers move up the standings. Bucs are in ninth place, 18 points behind Amakhosi.
The strikers were in fine form in August when Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns, the club they meet at Orlando Stadium tomorrow. Kickoff is at 7.30pm.
Manyisa has no issue with using lone striker
ORLANDO Pirates captain Oupa Manyisa is media-shy, but at the weekend he came out of his shell to defend caretaker coach Eric Tinkler, who was criticised for persisting with a single striker.
Pirates supporters have slammed the formation, which has been used by the past two coaches, Vladimir Vermezovic and Roger de Sa.
Their call to have Lehlohonolo Majoro and Kermit Erasmus together up front continues to fall on deaf ears.
On Saturday against Kaizer Chiefs, Tinkler chose to go with Majoro as the lone man up front, but the striker could not find his way past Amakhosi's twin towers Mulomowandau Mathoho and Tefu Mashamaite. Bucs fans were furious when Majoro was replaced by Erasmus in the 2-0 defeat, screaming at Tinkler to play them both.
"If you go back to the days when Roger de Sa was our coach we played with one striker and five midfielders. Coach VV came and he used the same system," Manyisa said. "Coach Eric is still using the same system and it does not affect the players at all."
Tinkler explained his decision to go with one man up front and believes it can work if Bucs keep the ball on the ground.
"I don't think the problem is that we play with one striker. Oupa was playing close to Majoro a lot and at half time I told them that they needed to get closer to the midfield so that we can keep the ball," he said.
"Our strength is playing the ball on the ground and keeping possession, but we were forced to play long balls [against Chiefs]. The reality is we were never going to win those balls. When we keep the ball on the ground and rotate possession, then we can create opportunities."
Tinkler said he was hoping Majoro and Erasmus would rediscover their early-season form in front of goal to help the Buccaneers move up the standings. Bucs are in ninth place, 18 points behind Amakhosi.
The strikers were in fine form in August when Pirates beat Mamelodi Sundowns, the club they meet at Orlando Stadium tomorrow. Kickoff is at 7.30pm.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos