Grobler feeling fresh ahead of new PSL campaign

The 2014/2015 ABSA Premier Soccer League (PSL) season kicks off this weekend, with Benoni High School old boy Bradley Grobler’s Supersport United taking on Bidvest Wits, at the Lucas Moripe Stadium, in Atteridgeville, on Saturday, August 9.

The striker is excited about the new PSL campaign, after admittedly having a difficult last season, where he struggled with injuries.

“I have just come through a full pre-season for the first time in about three years and am feeling good,” he told the City Times this week, following the team’s 2-1 MTN 8 quarter-final loss to Orlando Pirates, at Orlando Stadium, on Saturday.

“The game was a bit of a wake-up call for us to see the level where we need to be at,” he said.

“The first half was a bit shocking from our side, but we came back stronger in the second period.

“It was our first real, competitive game of the season, and some of the guys were a bit nervous on the ball, which can be expected.”

It is onwards and upwards though for Grobler and the “Matsatsantsa” team as they turn their undivided attention to the league.

“We have a coach [Cavin Johnson] who likes his team to keep the ball on the ground and play attractive football, without being overly defensive or reliant on long balls, so we should be competitive,” Grobler said.

When asked what the team’s chances of winning the title are, the 26-year-old striker commented: “It is difficult to say, because the league is getting tougher and tougher and all the teams have good quality players, which should make it interesting and competitive at the top.”

On a personal note, Grobler is aiming to play more regularly for Supersport United and to play at least 30 games for his club.

“I would also like to reach double figures in terms of goals, which is not an easy thing to do in South African football these days,” he said.

With a number of strikers in the Supersport ranks, Grobler knows that he will have to push hard for his place in the team.

“I have always done better under pressure, so it is good to have someone pushing you for a place; it’s challenging and exciting and there are no bad vibes between the strikers,” he added.

The player is in for an extremely busy month, with a jam-packed PSL fixture list consisting of five Supersport United games in August, and the arrival of his first child due soon.

“It’s going to be a busy time, but I’m excited and looking forward to all of it,” he said.