Moroka Swallows coach Julio Leal will have a heart to heart talk with his players after they crashed 2-1 to Platinum Stars — their fourth successive Absa Premiership defeat — at Potchefstroom´s Olen Park on Sunday.
The Brazilian born coach could also ring the changes when the Birds play Free State Stars in a crucial Absa Premiership fixture at Rustenburg´s Olympia Park on Wednesday night.
Leal had planned to finish in third position in the Premiership but that now looks like a pipe dream after four defeats on the trot.
Birds assistant coach Zeca Marques was at a loss to explain their miserable fortunes after the Birds were flying high after beating Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
Birds’ only recent success was a 3-1 Nedbank Cup first round win over BidVest Wits at Olympia Park last Wednesday night. Said Marques: ”None of us can pinpoint what is going wrong. One thing is for sure, we have not had our fair share of luck. At least three of the games we could have won but found ourselves on the losing side. We will dig deep to find a solution but I have no doubt we can succeed as the players have shown character in the past.”
Free State Stars will prove another tough battle. The Birds are now desperate to avoid losing their fifth league match in a row.
Said Marques; ”FS Stars are a good side and are fighting for the top eight. They are going to be a hard team to get past. This is going to be a must-win game and I reckon there will be some straight talking before Wednesday as we get to the bottom of this bad slump.”
Marques said he believed a draw was possible against Platinum Stars.
”We got back into the game after we went a goal down and then crumbled. It simply is not good enough from a team of Swallows’ ability.”
Marques and Leal cannot fathom out how the Birds can defeat Amakhosi and Bucs then go crashing down the table.
Said Marques: ”A top-three finish looks unattainable now, but we still have to finish as high in the top eight as we can. We need to wake up and start getting back on to the winning trail, starting with FS Stars.”
FS Stars are on 30 points, two behind the Birds.
Platinum Stars will he hoping their winning ways continue when they play Golden Arrows at Olen Park in Wednesday´s other fixture.
Arrows were beaten 1-0 by Bloemfontein Celtic, but should have skipper Kagisho Dikgacoi back from injury to lead the side. – Sapa