Tshini!
Kaizer Chiefs head coach Ernst Middendorp was appointed in December last year, after the sacking of Giovani Solinas, to bring order and control back to Naturena. With 10 games left until the end of the ABSA Premiership campaign, Soccer Laduma reflected on how the head coach is doing in comparison to those who came before him, and there were mixed reactions from fans, with some thinking he has brought a fresh approach to the game at Chiefs while others feel he is not good enough.
Kamogelo Joseph Lekhanya seems optimistic about Middendorp at Amakhosi. The Soccer Laduma reader is convinced that positive results will soon start being seen:
"[Stuart] Baxter won us trophies by playing boring football. The less said about [Steve] Komphela, the better. Chiefs are playing good football under Middendorp, it's just a matter of when the results will come."
- Blogger: Kamohelo Joseph Lekhanya
Tlamelo Mc Claod Dithakgwe responded to Lekhanya's comment, questioning his statement that Chiefs are playing "good football". Dithakgwe referred Lekhanya to Amakhosi's fiercest rivals for "good football":
"Chiefs are playing good football? Ask Pirates! They will celebrate 'good football' at the end of the season."
- Blogger: Tlamelo Mc Claod Dithakgwe
According to Tshepo Baph Mankoe, Middendorp's problems are specifically in defence. The Soccer Laduma reader seems to see room for improvement and says Middendorp and his assistant Shaun Bartlett must come together to fix Chiefs' approach:
"He started good with an attacking approach and the players showed great signs of adaption and hunger. However, the defensive approach has been the weakest link and very much costly. So the coach has been trying to fix our defensive and goalkeeping challenges, with injuries not making it easier for him too… Coach Middendorp and Bartlett must work together to sort out the deficiencies and complacency the team is currently undergoing. Hopefully they'll finish third or fourth on the log standing."
- Blogger: Tshepo Baph Mankoe
Fans such as Phrophet Sipho Mathathu Manzini are still bitter towards Middendorp due to his decisions in the latest Soweto Derby. The Soccer Laduma reader seems to strongly believe that the German's tactics are questionable but hopes for the best going forward:
"His tactics are bad. How can you defend one goal in 60 minutes? He's [got] very poor tactics and substitutes but I hope he learned from his mistakes. Next time, he will do better."
- Blogger: Phrophet Sipho Mathathu Manzini
Is Middendorp the right man to take Chiefs forward? Make your opinion count and leave your comments below!
