Despite being one of only two unbeaten teams in the Hollywoodbets Third Division campaign and looking good value for money, Vasco da Gama coach Andrew Pequeno(pictured) has downplayed their prospects of being genuine title contenders.
“Being unbeaten at this stage is something we can be proud of but there is still room for improvement and there are many very good teams out there who are looking at beating us,” Pequeno said to No Bones with Jones.
“We know that there are still 27 games to go and peaking now is not our objective but my players continue to give their all as we work hard to implement our gameplan. I am satisfied with our start to the season but I am fully aware of the challenges ahead,” he added.
After seven games, the Parow-based team is firmly placed in the third position tied with Crystal Palace on 15 points – the Manenberg outfit is however one spot higher with a superior goal difference (plus two).
However, things could change with the final round of fixtures before the festive break with Vasco having a doubleheader against less fancied outfits in Greenwood Athletic (away) on Friday followed by a home tie against struggling FC Hout Bay on Sunday.
This is coupled with the fact that Palace hosts City on Friday in a top-of-the-table clash in Manenberg. Needless to say, Pequeno will be keeping his fingers crossed for a draw which could open the door for them to move into the top position should they bag maximum points from their doubleheader against Greenwood and FC Hout Bay of course.
Pequeno highlighted that even though they have amassed the points and have put on a decent show thus far, he is still in search of a flawless display from his team.
“We have played to our potential in parts of games but we have not as yet played a full game as intended. It is still very early in the season and we intend to finish the two games before the break as best we can and try and maximise the points on offer.
“We have dropped points at home in games we should have won but it is a learning curve as there are no easy games and teams cannot be underestimated. Like all coaches, we strive for a performance that shows our ability as a team but at this level being clinical is not always possible.”
Pequeno’s good showing with the Fish & Chips also comes as no surprise as he was on the club’s books before and knows the culture and the history of the club.
The former Hanover Park mentor who led the Brasse Vannie Park to the promised land of the ABC Motsepe League acknowledged that he had done his homework before taking up the post at Vasco.
“I had watched the bulk of the Vasco squad play in the LFA season and I knew what the strengths and weaknesses were of the players before we started our pre-season,” Pequeno stated. Playing in the league is a constant challenge as games come thick and fast and teams have now evolved due to the coaches being streetwise and better tactically. We had to implement our playing philosophy and we are still a work in progress,” Pequeno concluded.
