Big talk and big mouths do not necessarily win titles or guarantee success, but big names and experienced players do.
And when one looks at coach Andrew Pequeno’s Vasco da Gama outfit, then surely, they should be considered as one of the favourites for the Hollywoodbets Third Division title – especially with names like Devon Saal, Nathan Gertse, Gershwin Kock and Anridge Lakay coupled with young exciting talent such as Michel Phigeland and Tristin Van der Lingen. Come the end of the season, the Fish & Chips Boys should arguably be right up there challenging for honours.
Furthermore, Pequeno himself has shown he is a coach who’s able to conjure up a winning formula for this cut-throat league and these are factors that make them real title contenders.
The Parow-based team got off to a perfect start last week when they entered Manenberg with nothing but left with all three points thanks to a 1-0 victory.
But their experienced midfielder, the former Santos and Maritzburg United pro player, Saal, has preached it is still early days to get over-excited.
“Consistency, consistency and more consistency are what is needed this season,” said Saal. “We have to be consistent in everything we do. Preparing for matches, winning them, and performing at our best on a consistent level.
“Our discipline needs to be consistent and maintained in every game as one slip-up can set you back big time. Look, everyone in the league wants to win it. I don’t think anyone in the league is just here to play and we all play for one position only – that is how tough it is,” he added.
Vasco welcomes a Woodlands outfit who also bagged maximum points (away) when they beat the debutants Camps Bay by 2-0.
The Woodie Boys could probably pose a sterner test, but Saal highlighted three points at their home ground is non-negotiable.
“If you want to be right up there, then winning your home games is a must,” the diminutive figure further stated. “Therefore, we are not even entertaining anything less other than a victory.
“That is not to say that we will not give Woodlands the respect we do, but we should cash in on home-ground advantage,” Saal concluded.
