Bartlett: We set standards in showing character & fighting spirit

Going into the next Motsepe Foundation Championship fixture against the University of Pretoria, coach Shaun Bartlett has lauded his side’s fighting spirit and gave his thoughts on the upcoming tie against Tuks. 

The Urban Warriors clawed their way back from losing positions in each of their first two league encounters, earning a draw against Pretoria Callies while recording maximum points against Magesi last week. 

An inspired substitute goal by Ashley Cupido, followed by an effort that saw Therlo Moosa put his body on the line against the Magesi goalkeeper, showcased the Cape Town Spurs fighting spirit. 

Echoed by Bartlett, the mentor was pleased with his side’s character given the tough list of fixtures in the opening three matches of the new 2022/23 season.

“We go into the Tuks game with a bit of confidence after our comeback against Magesi last Friday,” Bartlett said.

“Another game where we unfortunately we went 1-0 down but showed a lot of fighting spirit to come back to get our first victory of the season which was very important to get that three points 

“There’s a bit of pressure off us going into the Tuks game, a third game in a row that we are playing away from home. Knowing that, I’ve said to our players we set standards as far as showing character and fighting spirit, the ability to create opportunities. 

“The only thing we need to work on a bit more is the conversion rate of putting those opportunities away. I think we are playing really well at this moment in time, we just have to be cautious with Tuks, with the way they play.

“We’ve got to make sure we handle whatever they throw at us and then make the best of what we can do, which is keeping the ball, moving it around with speed and then getting into the final third with the skill and the creativity of the players we have in our squad. 

“We definitely looking to have back-to-back wins going to Tuks, we know it’s not going to be easy. We know it’s a team that almost got promoted,  they made the play-offs so I’m pretty sure it’s going to be their ambition this season to be right up there in the top three again.”