Jan Olde Riekerink threw shade on former Cape Town City boss Benni McCarthy’s work this week.
After the Citizens’ goalless draw at Bloem Celtic on Wednesday night, the Dutch coach said: “Two weeks ago we would have lost this game.”
However, Riekerink knows that the blame game is not what he is getting paid to play and he has to get this side winning.
And while this was his first official game in charge, he will appreciate that his philosophy is still taking root at the club.
Ahead of Saturday’s PSL clash, the former Galatasaray coach is encouraged by his team keeping a clean sheet, Taariq Fielies and the rest of the defence’s first since holding Stellenbosch goalless on August 10.
LOTS OF WORK TO DO: Riekerink. Picture: Twitter/@CapeTownCity_FC.
He says: “Now we are not that open and we not only trying to win the game, but they played with more defensive discipline. And I’m very happy that we got the point. Of course you play to win. But at this moment I think a point is realistic.
“I think in the first half, there were periods when we played very good. The players showed their quality, we played at a good tempo, we found space. We created good chances.”
And while creating chances is good, Wednesday night was also only the second time this season that City failed to hit the back of the net in the league campaign.
With leading goalscorer Kermit Erasmus a doubt for Friday evening’s clash, goals will have to come from elsewhere.
MISSING: City ace Erasmus. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
Fagrie Lakay led the line with Riyaad Norodien and Surprise Ralani in support, before the former made way for Siphelele Mthembu with 20 minutes to go.
And the coach admits that there is still a lot of work to be done in training to get the balance between attack and defence just right.
Riekerink adds: “We have to work very hard in the coming weeks.”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/hashtag/AbsaPrem?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#AbsaPremMan of the Match on Wednesday shared his thoughts about the poor condition of the pitch 👀
Wait for it 😂 #iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/MrGMzrusm7
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC)
Man of the match Roland Putsche echoed his boss, saying: “New coach and new philosophy.
"We have worked really hard since his arrival.
“There is more work ahead us.
“It’s impossible for things be perfect after such a short time with a new coach.”