COHESION & CONSISTENCY KEY IN DEFENCE



15 October 2009

Santos goal keeping coach Nigel Dixon feels there is no need for the Santos defence to change their mental approach as the team prepares to face Orlando Pirates on Saturday night.

The Buccaneers are currently top of the table and are very much the in-form side in the PSL at the moment.

With the likes of Teko Modise, Dikgang Mabalane, Katlego Mashego and Terror Fanteni in their ranks, Bucs possess some serious firepower.

Santos are however also very much a side in form, having worked their way steadily up the log standings.

The Peoples’ Team are currently in fifth place, just four points behind Pirates, who will be under pressure to win at home.

“As far as the back five goes, they just have to keep on doing what they have been doing so far this season – the defence, goal keeper and defensive midfielders have found good cohesion and consistency this season, they just need to keep doing the simple things right,” says Dixon ahead of this much anticipated clash," Dixon told santosfc.co.za ahead of the clash.

Dixon believes there is sufficient confidence in the Santos camp to take on the league’s front runners.

“The coach has instilled a great sense of self belief in the players and this has been aided by our good results. There is certainly no need to fear a so-called ‘big name’ side, if anything, playing against a team like Pirates will provide extra motivation.”

Unsurprisingly, Dixon is very happy with the form shown by Santos’ current number one goal keeper, Tshepo Motsoeneng (pictured above).

“I’m extremely pleased with Tshepo’s performances, although I must also praise both Lee (Langeveldt) and Eddie (Naude) for the great camaraderie and excellent competition they are providing,” he said.