The Christmas break is coming at the right time for SuperSport United, says Eric Tinkler

SuperSport United coach Eric Tinkler has urged his players to remain focused as they head into their final game of the year against Bloemfontein Celtic.

Matsatsantsa have experienced a recent slump where they have shown signs of a hangover following their continental exploits, but after suffering a hefty defeat against Baroka at the weekend alarm bells have been ringing over their form.

SuperSport have only picked up two points in their last four games which is certainly not good enough for a side which holds Premier Soccer League (PSL) title aspirations. But despite the Tshwane-based outfit’s recent shortcomings, Tinkler remains positive and states that their decline is because a sense of holiday has crept into the dressing room.

“I could sense the holiday mood in the dressing-room,” Tinkler was quoted as saying by Daily Sun.

“The Christmas break is coming at the right time. The players need it, they will come back in January refocused on the league. 

“I had a heart-to-heart talk with them on Sunday and reminded them that they are professionals. We have one match left and need to win it to go into the new year on a high,” he added.

Meanwhile, Tinkler is adamant that SuperSport have not become a bad team overnight and says that they are working on fixing their mistakes ahead of their clash in Bloemfontein.

“I want to see them focus and concentrate when we play Celtic. We failed to do that against Baroka,” he said.

 “We switched off for the first two goals against Baroka. Celtic, who were beaten 4-1 by Mamelodi Sundowns at the weekend, will be confident against us.  They beat us in the Telkom Knockout. 

“But every game is like a cup final for us and this will be no different. We need to go into the Christmas break with a win. We did not become a bad team overnight,” he expressed.