Should Orlando Pirates fans be concerned about winless run in Spain? Ex-Bucs coach assesses Abdeslam Ouaddou's side - 'Performance in pre-season games is not critical'

Former Orlando Pirates head coach Augusto Palacios has assuaged fears that the Premier Soccer League side is in bad shape, given how they have played in the pre-season.

Palacios said the pre-season games are not that critical because the main objective of these games is to give the coach a chance to assess his players.

After assessing the players, Palacios said the friendlies help the coach come up with his preferred starting XIs.

"It's pre-season, and what's important is for the coach to understand his players, establish his line-up, and evaluate the squad since he is new to the team," Palacios told KickOff.

"Keep in mind that they are facing teams that play different styles of football because they come from different countries."

"Some of these teams are more physical than others. What's crucial in pre-season is for the players to respond to what the new Pirates coach wants," he added.

"At this moment, it's important for the coach to assess the strengths of the players and facilitate the integration of new recruits with the existing squad, which is why we call it pre-season."

“Thus, performance in pre-season games is not critical. They are meant to help figure out starting XIs."

Pirates have played three games so far: a loss to Bolton Wanderers and two draws against Pafos FC and Las Palmas.

After returning from the pre-season, Pirates immediate assignment will be the MTN8 tournament quarter-final clash where they are set to face Polokwane City.

The Sea Robbers are the defending champions of the Premier Soccer League's curtain-raising tournament, and their fans expect nothing but a successful domestic campaign.

On Saturday, they are expected to play La Liga side Granada, which will mark their last pre-season outing in Marbella, Spain.

After the MTN8 campaign, Pirates, just like the other PSL clubs, will have their focus on the opening fixtures of the league.