Miguel Timm is a focused gentleman. So focused that he does not beat around the bush when asked about what Orlando Pirates are aiming for this season. The tough-tackling midfielder, straight face and all, says a treble will suffice! Why not, though? The team had an incredible 2022/23 campaign where they lifted two trophies with a new coach in charge. However, the dominant Mamelodi Sundowns are still around and looking in good shape if their performances and results so far are anything to go by, so Timm and teammates will have to dig deep if their ambitions are to come to fruition. The Soweto giants' signing spree going into the current season has impressed all and sundry, and the displays haven't been too bad either considering even he is yet to feature, alongside the likes of Lesedi Kapinga, Kermit Erasmus and Thembinkosi Lorch. In this interview with Soccer Laduma's Delmain Faver, the 31-year-old reveals how Pirates' pre-season at Marbella Football Centre in Spain set them up for this season.
Delmain Faver: Tiiiiiiiim! Looking at how Orlando Pirates have started the campaign, the pre-season out in Spain seems to have put you guys in good stead, though you are yet to feature. Do you concur with that sentiment?
Miguel Timm: We do concur, even though we went into the pre-season and not so concerned about the results but more of what we are trying to do as a collective going forward. I think to top it off and top this pre-season was the results. There was a continuation from last season with a solid defence, solid structure and good fluidity going forward. We looked forward to continuing that this season and I think we were all very excited to kick off the season.
DF: We are sure it's a question you have been receiving since returning from the Southwestern European country. What do you know about your team now that you didn't know about them before? We saw from those matches you played that silly mistakes can cost you dearly at that level...
MT: Yes, I agree because you rather want to learn these lessons in pre-season, where there's enough time to correct it. So, obviously that's what happened. I think the game was against Maccabi Tel Aviv if I'm not mistaken. You are playing against technically good players with a good understanding of the game and playing at a different tempo, which forces us to adjust to that. And not to my surprise, but to my joy, honestly, we were more than capable of matching them toe-to-toe, technically, tactically and just overall football intelligence. That gives me a lot of optimism going into the (rest of the) season.
DF: Coach Jose Riveiro said he didn't know how strong his squad was until he pitted them against really strong opposition. Says he was pleasantly surprised by how well you guys did and how you managed to hold your own. That says a lot about just the progress Bucs have made....
MT: Exactly what I was telling you about earlier. You obviously go there with no expectations because it's teams from different continents. Obviously LALIGA we watch here locally, so in your mind, you are like, "Okay, maybe the gap is quite big", and I think we undermine ourselves a lot as individuals, as South Africans, but we are honestly quite capable of achieving a lot. I think we need to have more self-belief. It's what we have at the club, and I think that's why when we come together as a group, we are very difficult to play against.
DF: Footballers live their lives under a microscope of some sort. Would you say sharing these long periods of time with your teammates helps you guys be yourselves and open up a bit more?
MT: Yeah, almost… what, three weeks? Basically a month. I think it's the best thing for us, honestly, before kicking a ball, knowing each other on a personal level, knowing each other's flaws, problems, strengths, weaknesses. It makes it easier for you to die for your teammate. When we call each other brothers, it makes it much more easier to sacrifice yourself, be selfless on the field because, you know, you are that much closer because of you knowing him better as a human being, before as an athlete. Also, knowing that, like you said, it's not that easy to be in the public because everyone's watching what you do, we find comfort in each other because we can relate in a lot of aspects in our lives. I think that's going to go a long way going into this long season.
DF: At Pirates there are no marquee players, at least according to your coach. Does that make each player feel like they have a sense of importance within the dynamic of the team?
MT: We know we are representing a big club. All of you know that there's a lot of quality players and I think he's done right for that. I think he's carried that philosophy all his coaching career. So, I'm personally glad that he's brought it into this group. Like you say, it brings a level playing field and we all feel equally as important with the roles we play and you feel that your role is just as good as the next person next to you, regardless of what the public likes or feels as their star player or their marquee player. As long as the feeling in the locker room is that we are all contributing and equally to (a) common cause, I think that's good enough for us.
DF: Last season it was you who was the new player at the Soweto giants. Going into the 2023/24 campaign, six players have joined and it seems like they became a part of the family quite quickly. What is it that you guys have done to usher them in?
MT: Like I say, we wanna win. We wanna win titles as a group and if we are not gonna be responsible for allowing our new teammates to settle in quickly, I think we are doing self-harm. It's only going to be beneficial in us taking responsibility to make them feel at home, feel welcome and be themselves, whether they are a public person or quiet person, just to be themselves, which will allow them to perform to the best of their abilities.
DF: The Buccaneers managed to bring two trophies to the trophy cabinet and finished second in the league last season. What would constitute a better season this time around then?
MT: Simple, (a) treble! Our legends and previous leaders have done it before for all of us to see. They have shown us that it's not impossible with the double treble. We are still in the beginning stages of the cycle, so there's nothing wrong with looking at the table and looking far beyond that in the future, to positively and confidently say it's the treble (that we want).
DF: Well, you are well on track as you've made it to the semi-finals of the MTN8 and shown some promising signs in the four games played so far in the league. On a lighter note, what do you make of the new Orlando Pirates jerseys for the 2023/24 season?
MT: We have a lot of optimism for the season. We hope to make memories in these two new jerseys and in the years to come when we wear these jerseys and the supporters do, they can attach it to all the memories we are working hard to create this season.
DF: Let's leave it there, Meegz, and hope to see you back on the pitch soon.
MT: Thank you.
High praise from the fanbase
Miguel Timm may not have featured so far this season for the Buccaneers, but he remains an important cog of the side and a fan-favourite. We spoke to two of the club's supporters about what it is that makes him a unique footballer and whether they have any message for the former Pirates ball boy with a gruelling season ahead…
Timm is solid, man!
Charles "Makhalanjalo" Fantisi – Orlando Pirates supporter
"Miguel has been performing very well for the team since joining and we are all happy about his contribution. He reminds me of Xavi (former Barcelona midfielder) because he is always calm under pressure and controls the midfield very well. He is not someone you can bench, but a regular starter because of his influence and impact, as long as he's not injured. I really like Miguel because he's so disciplined and organised on and off the field. He's a hard worker and you can see he gives his all for Orlando Pirates, which is the least we expect from anyone donning our jersey. This guy has changed our midfield so much and he brought tough competition. Pirates is now a really difficult team to play against because of players like Timm. No one is guaranteed a place in the team and that has elevated the competition to the next level. Now we can play Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs with two completely different and quality teams. Timm is solid, man! His discipline is second to none and we really appreciate him. My message to him is that he must just keep on doing what he is doing. We love you, Timm, and keep working hard. Continue giving us what you've been giving us because Pirates didn't sign you by mistake. They knew what they were doing and you are proving them right."
He's got Lekgwathi's leadership
Diana "Lady D" Matli – Orlando Pirates supporter
"He's been a really key factor in our team, especially in the middle of the park, since joining us. If you can check, I think he's playing the same role that was played by Lucky Lekgwathi in the team. He's very calm and dictates the pace of the game. He's very effective when it comes to controlling the middle of the park and his leadership is always seen whenever there is chaos on the field of play. If there is a foul against us, you will see him running to the referee to complain and you will also see him stopping his players from engaging in things that will get them booked. He always calms the storm and he's got Lekgwathi's leadership. He must just keep on being strong and guiding our boys to do well. He must keep on motivating them to take it one game at a time and win for the club. He must also continue to motivate the boys to fight for the badge. That's my message to him, and he is on the right track."
MIGUEL TIMM FACT FILE
Full name: Miguel Raoul Timm
Date of birth: 31 January 1992
Place of birth: Durban, KwaZulu-Natal
Nickname: Meegz
Jersey number: 4
Position: Midfielder
Club: Orlando Pirates
Previous clubs: Orlando Pirates juniors, Ajax Cape Town juniors, SuperSport United juniors, Bidvest Wits, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Arizona United, Phoenix Rising (both USA), Chippa United, Maritzburg United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (Marumo Gallants)
Honours: 2011/12 Telkom Knockout runner-up (with Wits), 2019/20 Telkom Knockout runner-up (with Maritzburg), 2020/21 Nedbank Cup winner, 2021/22 Nedbank Cup runner-up (both with TTM), 2022/23 MTN8 winner, 2022/23 Nedbank Cup winner (both with Pirates), 2 Bafana Bafana caps
