Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has said the noise from supporters and the media questioning Njabulo's Ngcobo's absence from the starting XI at the start of 2021-22 does not help the player.

After being grilled in the week about some of his eyebrow-raising selections — especially new signing from Swallows FC Ngcobo's absence — Baxter handed a debut to the 2020-21 PSL defender of the season in Saturday's 4-1 DStv Premiership humbling to Royal AM at FNB Stadium.

The coach stressed he had not capitulated to the pressure, but said Ngcobo fitted into his plans for the game.

" I've been saying all along he's got to get used to his team-mates, he's got to get used to the way we play, he's got to accommodate our build-up play with his own qualities," Baxter said afterwards when asked about Chiefs' new centre-back's debut performance.

"And he's going to make mistakes and he's going to give us some strengths.

"But the same as every player, I think the screaming at the [coaches] about, 'Push him in, push him in', doesn't help him and doesn't help anybody.

"I gave him a game because I thought it was the right game for him to go in. I wanted him to drive forward with the ball and dominate a bit on his side because of the way Royal play.

"It's his first game, I thought he did OK, but he can do a lot better."

Another debutant as Baxter seeks answers between the posts of who among his four strong goalkeeping options to field was Brandon Petersen.

Baxter said the ex-Bidvest Wits keeper, who had a promising unofficial debut in the preseason Black Label Cup against Orlando Pirates, could not be faulted in the four goals conceded, which were more down to a poor defensive display by Chiefs.

"Brandon, I think we hung out to dry a bit whenever he was brought into the game," the coach said.

"I thought his distribution and calmness were quite good. But whenever he had to make a save it was a last-ditch save. So I don't think it was a very easy game for Brandon in that respect."

Baxter has a week to work on his team's shape and balance before meeting Marumo Gallants next at Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Sunday.