FN Rangers head coach Arreshaat Daniels cited the lack of potency of his attackers as one of the key reasons for their slow start to the ABC Motsepe League campaign.
The defending champions, who fell short at the playoffs in Upington earlier this year, have raised a few eyebrows pertaining to their inconsistencies – especially in front of goal where they have fired blanks so early in the season.
Rangers averaged at least two goals per game last season but have started with two 0-0 draws (against CT Spurs and Junction Rovers) – which for the team from Maitland – not to score at least one goal per game – is rather strange and raises questions.
Daniels retaliated that this is due to the fact that they are in a rebuilding phase with talent as young as 16 and 17 being drafted to the senior side.
That said, Saatjie as Daniels is known, confirmed that much focus was placed on the offensive play during this week’s training sessions and put his strikeforce, which includes the likes of Darron Omaticus and Ashley Nel, through their paces in front of goal.
“I also need to establish my first eleven.” Daniels told No Bones with Jones. “But we should be okay. It’s okay at the moment but as I said we are not scoring (goals). We need to score and we need to start scoring regularly.
“If we can do that even if it is one of the players that can do it regularly then we are going to have a good run. But ja, I need to fix that. We saw it last week against Junction. We created numerous chances but we couldn’t put the ball in the net. If our attackers can relieve that pressure up front then it will make all the difference,” he added.
Rangers will have to come all guns blazing as they welcome the big spenders and favourites, newcomer Crystal Palace to the Royal Road Sport Complex (15:00) on Saturday afternoon for what promises to be a humdinger.
Palace, loaded with experienced players such as Clayton Daniels, are setting the pace in Stream A early on. Daniels, who is hoping to have Tashreeq Manual also available, says he expects a tightly contested affair against his counterpart Bradley August and his lieutenants Goodwin Lewis and Peter Kirsten.
Daniels said: “I think we will have to make sure that we do our job on the day. Sort out your strengths and punish their weaknesses, you know. That is the key part. But on the day the players decide how they turn up and in what frame of mind they are. I hope it will be a great spectacle for the neutral and as long as we can pick up the three points then I am happy,” Daniels concluded.
