Kaizer Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp felt his side were ‘too casual’ during their defeat to AmaZulu at the FNB Stadium on Saturday.
The Glamour Boys failed to extend their lead at the top of the Absa Premiership table you 20-points after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Usuthu after Bonginkosi Ntuli netted the winner.
Middendorp insists that his side took AmaZulu too lightly following their triumph against Orlando Pirates last weekend.
‘From the beginning, was just too casual. We spoke about it during the week. I was hoping everybody understood the message,’ Middendorp told SuperSport TV after the match.
‘Winning the derby, it is always something after this, you get relaxed, too relaxed, you putting yourself into it and you have a fantastic chance to make it 1-0.
‘Too casual again, it just gets kicked in I’m talking about this excitement to make hundred percent sure.
‘Ok, in the critical phase you get the 0-1 and now get to play against the wall and block of defensive, quite deep, you don’t get quite an open door and then you lose again.’
The German mentor was last frustrated after his striker failed to make the most of their chances after going a goal down just before the half-time break.
‘This is all what I’m talking about. It’s definitely when you find the right identity with the game, when you in and really in,’ he added.
‘I’m not taking it casual then something like this happens and then all of a suddenly getting yourself into a shocking situation, 0-1 three –four minutes before halftime so then all of a sudden you have to correct yourself as an individual.
‘As a collective and then it’s difficult you play then into the cards-defensive work from the opponent side and then it’s a war as we have seen.
‘We had enough strikers on the field to make it happen (equalise), but good it didn’t work. We have to ask ourselves what we have done today.’
Middendorp was not worried that his side dropped points against Usuthu as he expects to lose point against teams fighting to stay in the top-flight.
‘I said it after or before the derby or even at this stage, of course we could’ve taken a huge step forward. But good it doesn’t really bring a decision in which direction (the league will go)
‘These type of games or opponents these teams are fighting for staying in the league will come into our direction and good you can only master it if you have the right mindset from each and every collective and finally as a team.
‘And good we have to sit down, looking into it and try to find the solution for the next game against Wits,’ Middendorp concludes.
