We will bring our A-game against Pirates – Baxter
SuperSport United coach Stuart Baxter believes his side’s 18-game unbeaten run in the league will live beyond their encounter with Orlando Pirates.
The Sea Robbers host Matsatsantsa A Pitori on Tuesday evening at the Orlando Stadium, kick-off is at 19.30.
Needless to say that the encounter will always carry the memory of the 6-1 humiliating drubbing handed down by United on November 1.
Pirates have since gone 10 games without a win, having last tasted victory on November 22 away to Chippa United.
In contrast, Baxter’s side have a spring in their step as they have established themselves as firm league contenders, having not tasted defeat in their last 18 league outings, with their sole defeat tracing back to the opening day of the league away to Platinum Stars.
“We have got to bring our A-game against Pirates otherwise their desire to get back on track will overpower us. So we’ve got to make a big response to the disappointments of not collecting three points against Ajax Cape Town,” said the former Kaizer Chiefs coach.
He continued: “All games are big, Pirates have just played Cape Town City and Chiefs, and those are two massive games. So probably playing against us is big for them because they have not been winning and they want to get back on the winning track. We will do the best we can to make sure that we come back big and we play with more quality.”
Baxter further said his analysis of the Soweto derby on Saturday gave him an idea of what to expect, also, he may not know Pirates coach Kjell Jonevret all that well, but he is, however, familiar with the Swede’s work.
“I saw the whole game, I thought they got on top early, they opened very well, which is the way it will be. They felt a little bit like they are underdogs. I thought it gradually evened itself out and it became a real derby in the end. I think they will still want to win and I think it will be a good game.
“It gives me a little bit of insight, but I don’t think that will be a 10%, not a 75% bonus for us. Maybe I will look at the way they play and look at his background. But I still can’t work out what they’re trying to do or how they will perform on the day.”
