What Ernst Middendorp needs to instil playing identity at Swallows

Swallows coach Ernst Middendorp has revealed what he needs to successfully instil his playing identity at the club.

Middendorp registered his first victory as Swallows’ head coach on Friday night as his troops put in an impressive display to dispatch Chippa United 2-0 in a DStv Premiership clash staged at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

The Chippa encounter was Middendorp’s third in charge at the Dube Birds since jumping onto the hot seat on 15 December 2022 after the departure of Dylan Kerr in September.

Musa Nyatama had been in a caretaker coaching role for the Soweto-based club.

Middendorp, who admitted that he was relieved after the Chippa win, said all he requires is time to ensure the Swallows players dance to his tune.

However, he did state that at this point of the season, with only 15 league games left to be played, his main focus is to win games by any means to avoid the relegation axe.

THE SWALLOWS COACH SAYS HE NEEDS TIME

“I started on the 19th of December, and we had three games in the last six days,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs coach.

“And we didn’t have a lot of time to go to the training ground and to produce something or put something in, what we want to see in terms of fundamentals, but I think it is a very short time, and it is not possible to produce and say we can see everything.

“I think what is important is to provide a certain defensive performance and understanding that everybody is involved and play their part. this part.”

The German coach, regarded as one-dimensional as his prime concern is results over attractive football, made it clear that he will continue to use setpieces to try to win games.

“Set plays are part of my focus, and we saw fantastic setpieces in the Chippa game and against Sundowns on Tuesday,” he added.

“It will take a little bit of time, but it is not about building at this moment but about training, going to games and finding the right combinations.

“I haven’t worked with all the players, and that will take time; we will have time next week.”

RELATED STORY: Swallows appoint Ernst Middendorp as new coach