Junction Rover head coach Chrissando de Weber (pictured) says their rivals can expect sterner stuff from them following a “proper baptism of fire” in the ABC Motsepe League last season.
Fair play to the newbie after they stood the test of time in their debut season in the ABC Motsepe League – largely due to the mentorship of “De Webs” as their passionate coach is known.
Let’s face it, De Weber faced some uncertainty due to Junction’s merger with Ana Barrote Rightford’s Nova Nacional, as well as losing key players early on in the pre-season.
After a slow and staggered start in their debut campaign, things looked bleak but to their credit, Junction didn’t panic.
Junction’s calm approach was eventually rewarded as they started to gain momentum as the season unfolded causing major upsets in the process – like when they shocked season campaigners such as the star-studded Hanover Park FC last season – eventually ending a respectable fifth in the so-called group of death with the mighty FN Rangers – and the rest they say is history.
De Weber explained to No Bones with Jones: “You know what they say that your first season will always be difficult and I am hoping that we will have more fight and bite this season as we know what the league is all about and I know we will do much better,” he added.
A season later “De Webs” has a better understanding and idea as to how to transform his squad into a champion outfit. It is fair comment that Junction has gained credibility as De Weber indicated players are now enquiring about playing for Junction.
“I also have players asking about playing for us as they say they like our style of football and they like this and that you know. So, this makes one happy.“
According to De Weber he is also gladdened by the fact that he has more certainty and clarity this season which will allow him to build on his current squad.
“Our plan is in motion to secure all the players that we have from last season and it will probably be most of them,” De Weber further added. That will allow us to have a better pre-season, you know.
“Teams are allowed to look for players and we must secure them and be much more prepared this season. I trust we should be a force if all the plans fall in place. But it will be imperative to be equally as good away as we are at our home ground,” De Weber concluded.
