Stellenbosch head coach Steve Barker admits they were completely outplayed by Orlando Pirates and they now need to regroup in order to remain competitive to survive relegation.
Stellies were thrashed 4-1 at Orlando Stadium on Sunday afternoon with the home side running rings around their youthful squad in the first-half and profiting from their momentum in the second by adding two further goals.
Barker admitted it may have been one of the worst performances he’s witnessed from the club in the opening half but defended his side – whom he felt show some positives in the second half when they changed up their formation to chase the game.
“I don’t think that’s the case, we train well with good intensity, and I never had any issues with training,” he said.
“The questions about the first half become relative to the situation when you have some very experienced players out, injuries and suspensions and you put a team out like that…
“What I have to weigh up as a coach, how much to our potential did we play with what we had out on the field. It wasn’t to our potential and we could have and should have done better overall the 90 minutes.
“But one also needs to put things into context and not get into situations and a panic sort of situation where you think the performance was of such nature that it doesn’t warrant any positives in it – but in saying that, a harsh lesson learned.”
Barker also acknowledged the strength in depth from the Buccaneers played a crucial role but suggested that three points away to Pirates wasn’t part of their strategy in order to climb up the table and retain their top-flight status.
“When the opposition are able to bring in international players as substitutes and we’re thin at this stage and bringing in players with barely four or face PSL appearances, but we have to take the lessons learned, the only way you can grow as a team, as a club.
“We take it on the chin, we can’t hide away from the fact we were given a football lesson today – and then regroup, reset and figure out with 12 matches to go what needs to be done, to ensure we continue to be competitive and stay in this league.”
