Extra Time: Shaun Bartlett’s Uefa coaching licence is doing him no favours in the PSL, argues Michael Madyira.
Cape Town Spurs have lost all six of their Premier Soccer League games, setting themselves up as relegation candidates.
They have scored just three goals while conceding a discouraging 12 times and anchoring the bottom of the PSL table.
It is a sorry situation for the Urban Warriors, who are finding it hard on their return to the top-flight league.
Bafana Bafana legend Shaun Bartlett is in charge of Spurs but seems to be slowly losing the battle to maintain their PSL status.
The Western Cape side earned their ticket back into the elite league via a play-off triumph over Maritzburg United and Casric Stars.
They had little rest after being active during the off-season period.
After regrouping, there was little activity in the transfer market by Spurs who brought in lightweights Luvuyo Phewa and Siyanda Msani, both on loan from Mamelodi Sundowns, as well as Keagan Buchanan, Boitumelo Radiopane, Riyaaz Nell, Sam Ramsbottom and Neil Boshoff.
The PSL player transfer window closed last week where the Cape Town-based side remained low in the market despite the need to beef up their squad.
That was the biggest mistake by Bartlett.
For a team that already had experienced players like Clayton Daniels, Michael Morton, Nazeer Allie and Granwald Scott, Bartlett should have signed a few big-name players.
It was apparent they were struggling and their players were finding it hard to cope with PSL football but Bartlett maintained trust in his squad instead of bringing in new men.
Maybe they had a tight budget to sign players but the fact remains that Bartlett did little to make his squad solid or strong in depth.
Now, Spurs are facing a demanding season with a squad that has already turned itself into a punching bag.
The next transfer window opens in January 2024 and it could be too late to start running around in the market to strengthen Spurs.
Pictured above: Cape Town Spurs
Image source: Cape Town Spurs
