Benni McCarthy says he is going to bring the pitbull back to Cape Town City training to get his manne refocused on their Premier League title target.
Ahead of season, the City boss made it clear that he wanted to win his maiden league crown this term.
But after a shaky start of one win, two draws and a loss, he is not a happy man.
It’s not so much the results that has him threatening to let the dog out, but the manner of his players’ performances that has him losing his cool.
Tuesday night’s loss to Kaizer Chiefs was the one that really got him barking mad.
Having taken the lead early in the match, his players lost their concentration and opened the door for Amakhosi to turn the game on its head in the final 15 minutes.
Before that, they threw away a 2-0 lead on the opening day to draw at Baroka, failed to convert their chances against in a 1-0 win over Stellenbosch and they didn’t really pitch up as they relinquished their MTN8 crown against Polokwane in 2-0.
Benni will only be proud of a hard-fought away draw at PSL champions Mamelodi Sundowns.
And that’s why he’s lost his cool.
The Problem
His players know what’s coming once he gets back from visiting his family in Scotland.
We’ve all seen it, Benni isn’t skaam to show this Flats maniere, he might have to take the tanne uit.
Coming into the season, the boss and his players knew what was what, in terms of their roles.
With key defenders Taariq Fielies and Kouassi Kouadja out injured, Benni had to call on some of his more versatile stars to step in at the back.
In midfield, regular duo Roland Putsche and Thabo Nodada were missing too, so there was going to be a reshuffle there too.
PROBLEM: lackadaisical lapses in concentration. Photo: Ryan Wilksy/BackpagePix.
The likes of Abbubaker Mobara, Edmilson Dove, Thato Mokeke have filled in here and there and it’s worked in fits and starts for the coach.
But any lackadaisical lapses in concentration is costing them. With two departments to remold is a tough job for any boss.
You could see how Benni just went quiet as the second half against Chiefs unfolded – he just slunk into his dugout seat, finished en klaar with shouting out orders.
Just like in the Polokwane game, there was nothing he could do when half the team has completely checked out and forgotten what they do to earn their daily bread.
The Solution
We have been here with Benni. Perhaps he should use his time to figure a new approach to deal with some of the loskop, undisciplined elements in the squad.
Kaapse laaities will mos be sterkgevriet no matter the authority figure.
We often hear of coaches taking about the mongrel in these players. If the head pitbull can tap into that and turn these soldiers of fortune into dogs of war, we’ll see a whole new side.
Mother City fans deserve more from City’s players and should see their team at least challenge for the title.
Hopefully the break also works its magic on the players.
SOLUTION: Detox, eat some greens and stay away from places like Cubana. Photo: BackpagePix.
Two weeks can be a long time to wallow in your own disappointment.
Maybe now is a time to detox, eat some greens and stay away from places like Cubana.
Break from your routine and get a fresh outlook.
Write down what you want to achieve this season and if it aligns with the coach’s, commit to the plan 110 percent.
The Future
There is another group of players who can make a difference to City’s early-season crisis, the trio called up to the Bafana Bafana group.
Striker Erasmus, defender Mokeke and skipper Thami Mkhize.
It’s obvious that Mkhize is THE
leader at City. The rightback leads by example, attacking and defending in equal measure.
But Erasmus and Mokeke should consider what their call-ups mean to the players of a club like City.
FUTURE: Consider what call-ups to the national squad mean. Photo: Ryan Wilksy/BackpagePix.
It’s often said that Cape teams and players are overlooked by the national team. And even in the case of former Orlando Pirates man Erasmus and ex-SuperSport defender Mokeke, who may still see it.
But it’s their form for City that is being evaluated. And they are watching them, they are watching all the players.
That’s the sort of belief and energy they must bring back to Hartleyvale and re-energise this squad for that title push that coach Benni wants so badly.