Hunt praises PSL title rival Middendorp

by Graeme Jackson

Wednesday May 13, 2020. 13:00

Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt has praised Premier Soccer League (PSL) title rivals and coach Ernst Middendorp for their work through the 2019-20 season.

Chiefs sit atop the league standings in search of their first piece of silverware in five years – though the coronavirus pandemic may see the season go uncompleted.

Nonetheless, Hunt has been impressed by the Amakhosi’s work in the transfer market and the way counterpart Middendorp has fashioned a style which suits their players.

“I think they made one or two good signings. And I think what they’ve done well this year at Chiefs is found a way to play with the players that he [Middendorp] has got‚” said Hunt as per Sowetan Live.

“They do play a little bit differently to most teams in South Africa – the way that the team is set up. And that’s all credit to Ernst and his coaching staff.

“That’s experience. And he’s got that experience. I mean he’s been around for ages‚ and he knows what to do and not to do‚ and he’s proved again this year he knows what’s happening.

“To play with those two strikers [Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro] up-front the way he does – obviously it’s what he’s got.

“I’m sure he’d want to play with wingers‚ which he doesn’t have so he uses the full-backs. I know they’ve been criticised for the style‚ but I haven’t even looked at that.

“I just look at the points‚ and say right now they’re doing well and they’re the team to catch.

“If you look at the old Kaizer Chiefs teams‚ do they have that same swagger and same guile? No they don’t.

“When Stuart [Baxter] was there he won the league playing counterattack football. And fair play – he’s won trophies‚ you can’t take it away from them.”