Unlike their relegation-threatened counterparts who see a cup exit as a blessing in disguise, University of Pretoria coach Shaun Bartlett wants his team to go as far as possible in the Nedbank Cup to build some momentum and boost confidence.
Tuks have a crucial relegation battle against Maritzburg United in the league on Saturday, so Bartlett has stressed the importance of winning tonight's 16 clash against SuperSport United to make sure the team's spirits are high for the weekend clash.
A horrible record of no win or goal against SuperSport United looks set to end tonight at Lucas Moripe Stadium (7.30pm), if what Bartlett said yesterday is anything to go by.
"I know a lot of people are saying the league is more important, but I make every game a priority," said Bartlett.
"To lose this game can also be demoralising and we do not want that going into a massive against Maritzburg United. We are going to put out a strong team that can get a win, so that we can keep the confidence going. We had a setback in our last game against Ajax, but we have the players who can bounce back and get a good result. We can surprise a few people."
Bartlett is looking forward to the battle against United coach Stuart Baxter, having played under the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor at Bafana Bafana over 10 years ago. He has an idea how Baxter will approach tonight's tie.
"Stuart is a coach who goes to the finer details as far as preparing his team is concerned. He has a strong emphasis on not conceding," said Bartlett.
"He will also utilise the strong points in his team, which I think is the wingers and the strikers. So we just have to make sure we are patient in our approach and try expose them in the weaknesses that they do possess.
"It's a derby and we have to play with all the pride that we have."
Every game a priority - Bartlett
Unlike their relegation-threatened counterparts who see a cup exit as a blessing in disguise, University of Pretoria coach Shaun Bartlett wants his team to go as far as possible in the Nedbank Cup to build some momentum and boost confidence.
Tuks have a crucial relegation battle against Maritzburg United in the league on Saturday, so Bartlett has stressed the importance of winning tonight's 16 clash against SuperSport United to make sure the team's spirits are high for the weekend clash.
A horrible record of no win or goal against SuperSport United looks set to end tonight at Lucas Moripe Stadium (7.30pm), if what Bartlett said yesterday is anything to go by.
"I know a lot of people are saying the league is more important, but I make every game a priority," said Bartlett.
"To lose this game can also be demoralising and we do not want that going into a massive against Maritzburg United. We are going to put out a strong team that can get a win, so that we can keep the confidence going. We had a setback in our last game against Ajax, but we have the players who can bounce back and get a good result. We can surprise a few people."
Bartlett is looking forward to the battle against United coach Stuart Baxter, having played under the former Kaizer Chiefs mentor at Bafana Bafana over 10 years ago. He has an idea how Baxter will approach tonight's tie.
"Stuart is a coach who goes to the finer details as far as preparing his team is concerned. He has a strong emphasis on not conceding," said Bartlett.
"He will also utilise the strong points in his team, which I think is the wingers and the strikers. So we just have to make sure we are patient in our approach and try expose them in the weaknesses that they do possess.
"It's a derby and we have to play with all the pride that we have."
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