Can Chilli Boys escape relegation?

Caretaker coach says Swallows clash crucial

FOCUS and discipline will be the key points in Mich d’Avary’s plan to save relegation-threatened Port Elizabeth-based Absa Premier Soccer League club Chippa United.

The Chilli Boys are 13th out of 16 clubs in the league, with 25 points from 24 games with six to play.

“There needs to be discipline among ourselves,” D’Avary said.

“We need to prepare, be focused and take one game at a time.

“We need to focus all our efforts on the Moroka Swallows game [at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium] on Wednesday night next week.

“Only after that game can we start thinking about the following game against Bidvest Wits, which is only three days later.

“The game on Wednesday will be a cup final game, bearing in mind Moroka Swallows are in a similar situation to ourselves,” D’Avray said.

D’Avray, the newly appointed United caretaker coach, believes he will be able to save the club from relegation, but says it has to be a joint effort between management, the players and the technical team.

“Yes, I believe I can save the team from being relegated but I don’t think this is about me. I believe this is a team effort and, more importantly, it’s about the players.

“We either stay in the league together or we sink together. We have prepared the team as best we can. Come next Wednesday 7.30pm the players will have to go out there and win the game,” he said.

With six PSL teams fighting for survival, D’Avray believes it will be “who keeps their nerve and who fights the hardest who’ll survive”.