Maritzburg United head coach Fadlu Davids was somewhat critical of his side following a win over Royal AM in the DStv Premiership on Sunday evening at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
The Team of Choice overcame Thwihli Thahla 3-1 in the KZN derby to grab their second win in a row.
Davids feels that his troops still have to let go of some old habits that let them down before he took the reins.
He bemoaned the lack of “tactical discipline” after they conceded a goal towards the end of the game.
DAVIDS UNSATISFIED DESPITE VICTORY OVER ROYAL AM
“We could have perhaps killed off the game with 3-0 but overall I think it’s the mentality shift,” he said in the press conference.
“The mentality shift is what we have to change in relation to when you are 3-0 up with minutes to go, keep the clean sheet, build on this winning mentality.
“It is not just okay to play around and not be tactically disciplined and that’s how we conceded the goal and that’s what we have to improve on.
“Let go of these last six months because we are a new team and we have to act like a new team not get back into old habits.
“So changing this mindset, changing this mentality, creating this winning mentality in a match like this to keep the clean sheet, and try to win the next [match].”
Asked if he could see the improvement in the team since he took over in November, Davids admitted but still emphasised that they had to improve.
‘WE NEED MORE TIME’
“Yeah, in pre-season, we had a fantastic build-up, each week we were getting better but the intensity we wanna play at, we’re not there yet,” he added.
“In relation to fitness, to play in this high intensity of football, it’s going to need more time for us to get not only to understand this tactical principle but to maintain this high-intensity action.”
Maritzburg are now sitting in 15th place on the table having accumulated 17 points after 16 games.
They are next in action with Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday at the Princess Magogo Stadium at 15:30.
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