29 July 2019, by: Grant de Smidt

BIDVEST WITS PSL 2019/2020 PREVIEW

*Realistic options to play regularly – excludes fringe players

*Accurate up to 29 July

As is seen every off-season, Gavin Hunt has implemented big changes to his playing personnel to try to stamp out any complacency in his ranks. Of the dozen or so departures, only Darren Keet was a first-choice player and the club has brought in Brandon Petersen to take his place. Other incomings include a plethora of experienced PSL players on free transfers, whilst rafts of squad players have been released after failing to make the grade.

Hunt has a very clear idea of how he wants his side to play football, all based off his belief that he must be able to clearly identify whether a player can score goals, make goals or stop goals. His recruitment and style of play are all based on that mantra.

As usual, he has packed his squad with numerous wide options who can deliver crosses into the box (make goals), whilst upfront, he has four aerially proficient frontline strikers to attack those deliveries (score goals).

Macuphu excelled on loan at SuperSport United and will surely start as the first-choice target man. Due to Hunt’s fitness-heavy training, including triple training sessions during the preseason, injuries are a consistent problem so he has brought in specialists to add depth.

Sameehg Doutie, a one-dimensional player who has made a career from crossing the ball, and Carl Lark, plucked from amateur football obscurity for his aerial prowess, both give extra numbers to an already huge squad.

Defensively, Wits were outstanding in the first half of last season with Sifiso Hlanti and Thulani Hlatshwayo as fullbacks in an aerially dominant back four who could invite crosses from wide, confident in their ability to deal with them.

Should their captain not depart the club (with Orlando Pirates strongly linked), then that back four is exceptionally solid and the two disciplined, sitting midfielders in Cole Alexander and Thabang Monare bring tenacity and energy (stop goals).

In possession, expect Wits to be direct in their play, rarely passing the ball out from the back. The central defenders will receive from their goalkeeper if given time and space but usually only to hit longer diagonal passes themselves anyway, or at best, feed the midfield duo to switch play or hit the centre forward(s).

If Wits keep their back four and midfield fit, then they have a vast range of options on the flanks and upfront to win games. They are able to play defensively in big matches, protect leads and use good impact players from the bench, whilst Hlatshwayo adds goals and an aerial threat both from open play (when used at right-back) and from dead-ball situations.

However, aside from Deon Hotto (the PSL’s top assist provider last season) or perhaps Haashim Domingo, they lack a bit of guile in forward areas to unlock stubborn defences. Nevertheless, Wits have enough depth to challenge for the title but are again likely to fall short.

For Gavin Hunt, the best thing is to stick with what he knows best and keep the squad motivated to maintain their high-octane style of percentage football.

Using Domingo as a number ten, or perhaps Gift Motupa as the main forward, could be a way to give more variety to his attack, whilst Phathutshedzo Nange’s running power could bring another dimension to midfield.

The side still have some question marks before the season starts with doubts over the futures of Robyn Johannes and Thulani Hlatshwayo, and Sifiso Hlanti arriving back from the AFCON with an injury which is said to be serious.

Amazulu FC vs Bidvest Wits (Saturday 3 August – 20:15)

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