Stuart Baxter has identified the “weight of the jersey” as one of the causes for Kaizer Chiefs’ inconsistent form.
On Tuesday evening, chiefs were held to a goalless draw by bogey side TS Galaxy at the FNB Stadium. The drab draw came after an inspiring 3-1 thumping of Chippa United on Saturday. The result leaves them 12 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, although they have a game in hand.
Baxter admitted his side started the game better than their opponents but let the game slip as it progressed. The Briton feels the Amakhosi jersey “weighs heavy” on some players and affects how they apply themselves on the field.
“When I was working with the England national teams, we used to say the England shirt can be heavy. It can weigh heavy.
“When you’re not playing well, and the expectations are high, it weighs heavy. I think it’s the case with Chiefs.
“I think the expectations are high, and I think the process of not doing bad and being in the mix gets forgotten because we want too much. That can be good and bad,” Baxter told journalists after Tuesday’s stalemate.
The former national team coach said the message they try to get down to the players is to “play freely with no anxiety”.
The Soweto giants have shifted focus to chasing a second-place finish, with Sundowns poised to retain the coveted title.
