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Six things for Kaizer Chiefs coach Baxter to stress about

Premier Soccer League

Cape Town Spurs

Kaizer Chiefs

Swallows FC

Royal AM

Chiefs lingered around 12th position for quite a large part of last season before a strong finish saw them claiming a top eight spot.
It may be only four matches in for Amakhosi, but even so, the numbers don't look good. Chiefs' goal difference of negative four is the joint worst in the league - while scoring only three, they've conceded seven. Add in the MTN8 defeat to Sundowns and the Glamour Boys have actually lost three of five matches this season, winning only one.

Down to 12th - the numbers don't lie

In five matches in all competitions this term, the Soweto giants have conceded nine goals, nearly two a match. There has been inconsistency in terms of the goalkeeper selections, with three goalkeepers used already this season. Baxter has been hesitant to drop some of his senior players in favour of new signings, but has not had his faith repaid; the Amakhosi defence has largely been poor this season.
Worryingly, there also seems to be a lack of leadership in defence and in the team as a whole, and current skipper Erick Mathoho is struggling with his own form.

A leaky defence

The likes of Samir Nurkovic, Bernard Parker, Khama Billiat and Lebogang Manyama all seem to have lost their scoring touch in front of goal. To make things worse, playmaker Keagan Dolly also had a below-par showing against Royal AM.

Misfiring strikers

Already without influential striker Leonardo Castro and a potential game-breaker in Dumisani Zuma, Baxter watched on Saturday as Phathutshedzo Nange went off injured in the first half with a groin strain and then in the second half, substitute Kgaogelo Sekgota was also stretchered off.

Injury concerns

Losing so emphatically to a club in their first season in the top-flight will have stung some egos. And the manner in which Chiefs capitulated to Royal AM, with little fight or heart shown, would be concerning to Baxter.

Confidence breaker

Chiefs supporters have found fault with Baxter's team selections and with his tactics. They feel he's too defensive and too reliant on aerial balls into the box, too one dimensional. Already without a trophy to celebrate in six years, there is even less room for poor results. With the team struggling, not having any fans in the stadium to boo them may actually be a good thing at the moment.

Fans growing restless

Six things for Kaizer Chiefs coach Baxter to stress about | Goal.com India

Despite a squad rejuvenation in the transfer window, results have not gone Kaizer Chiefs&apos; way this season and a 4-1 home defeat to Royal AM has increased the pressure on head coach Stuart Baxter.

Six things for Kaizer Chiefs coach Baxter to stress about

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