Different options and different systems are key phrases to Bidvest Wits coach, Gavin Hunt as he looks to mould a side capable of challenging for honours next season, starting with the MTN8 this weekend.
The Clever Boys finished just behind 2013/ 2014 Absa Premiership league winners Mamelodi Sundowns and runners-up Kaizer Chiefs last season, while losing out in the Nedbank Cup final to Orlando Pirates.
The off-season period has seen a lot of coming and going at the club, the likes of Matthew Booth, Kwanda Mngomyama, Katlego Pule, Denver Mukumba, Sandile Sibande, Miguel Timm, Letladi Madubanya, Bongolethu Jayiya and Benjani Mwaruwari all having departed the Johannesburg-bases side, while striker Calvin Kadi and midfielder Papy Faty will miss the start of the season due to long-term injuries.
Hunt has however made several signings to offset the losses, bringing in players such as Christopher Katongo, Vincent Pule, Toriq Losper, Rodwell Bezuidenhout, Herico Botes, Thulani Hlatshwayo, Dillon Sheppard and Dutch defender Kees Kwakman.
The Clever Boys play their first official competitive match of the 2014/ 2015 campaign when they take on Bloemfontein Celtic in an MTN8 quarter-final game scheduled for this Friday night at the Bidvest Stadium.[eap_ad_2]
Speaking after a recent trip down to Cape Town, Hunt says he’s happy with the way his squad is looking; the former SuperSport United league-winning manager says his focus has been on trying to make his squad as fluid and adaptable as possible as he braces his team for a long and gruelling season.
“It’s about trying to get the combinations going, playing in different conditions. The thing is to try different systems, different structures, that proves to me we can play different ways. As the season goes on people need to play in different ways in different games,” Hunt explained.
Apart from the injured Kadi, Hunt has another concern in his strike force, where Sthembiso Ncgobo is nursing a slight hamstring strain. With his options limited up front, the Students’ mentor will be hoping that new signing Katongo can hit the ground running this season.
“He’s a got quality that’s why I signed him,” said Hunt of the Zambian international. “Now I have just got to work on his confidence, he never scored much at Arrows, so now we have to just work on the confidence and make him fit into the system, the way we play, what we are trying top do, what we are trying to think. It takes time, he’s only been here two weeks.”
Despite all the hard work done during pre-season, Hunt admits it will only be on Friday night, after the MTN8 clash with Phunya Sele Sele, when he know exactly how his side is shaping up.
“You can’t read too much onto friendlies, but [this] week we have games that really count. At the end of the day we kept the ball well in tight areas, in certain areas we are good.” (supersport.com)[eap_ad_3]
Gavin builds team for honours next season …hunts for glory at MTN8
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