GAVIN Hunt says he’s not a fan of the so-called modern day fullback; the Bidvest Wits coach using Baroka FC’s win over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Telkom Knockout quarterfinals at the start of the month to support his remarks.
On Sunday he will try to overcome that same Baroka team at the Peter Mokaba Stadium to ensure the Clever Boys reach their second successive final in the same competition and go on to retain their title.
Baroka shocked Sundowns with a 2-0 win to progress to the last four.
“I don’t like what people look for these days, this modern day fullback. You saw what happened when Baroka played Sundowns,” said Hunt.
“There were no defensive fullbacks and they got hurt there. So we need people that can defend - let’s be defenders first and attackers second.
“Me, I don’t like those modern day guys. They go up and down and when they cross the ball goes to the stands. I would rather have a winger crossing the ball than a fullback.”
Clear instruction
Asked how he consistently gets this right, Hunt said it is a clear instruction to his players - otherwise they would have to sit alongside him on the bench.
“If you look around the world, some of the best teams in the world like Real Madrid or Barcelona, the defending is shocking.
“I don’t care that they are top players, the defending is atrocious,” the coach added.
“If you work in football you need defensive structures that can do better. So it is simple, you put restrictions on the defenders because clean sheets help you win you games.
“I am not saying we are defensive-minded as a team, but you have got to have people that can get the job done in that area.”
How Hunt sets up his back four on Sunday will be another talking point because of the suspension of ever-present centreback Robyn Johannes, who was red carded in their last match two weeks ago, a 2-1 defeat to Bloemfontein Celtic in the league.
“It’s going to be a big blow for us because I think Robyn has been our best player this season, the best player in the league so far. He has been magnificent for us, gives us something we haven’t had and that is why I signed him.
“But we have two Bafana centrebacks (captain Thulani Hlatshwayo and Buhle Mkhwanazi),” the coach said.
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