‘We Were Back-Heavy’: Sheppard Explains Chiefs’ Defensive Setup Against Stellies
Kaizer Chiefs assistant coach Dillon Sheppard has explained the tactical thinking behind Amakhosi’s defence-heavy starting lineup against Stellenbosch, while admitting that his side lacked sufficient attacking numbers in the final third.
Chiefs played out a 1-1 draw against Stellenbosch in the Betway Premiership at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening, extending their search for a return to winning ways.
Amakhosi’s starting lineup raised concerns among supporters before kick-off, with head coach Fernando Da Cruz opting for a defence-heavy approach.
Da Cruz named six defenders in his starting lineup: Reeve Frosler, Thabiso Monyane, Bradley Cross, Paseka Mako, Thabo Moloisane and Inacio Miguel. Sibongiseni Mthethwa operated as the defensive midfielder.
The only three recognised attacking players in the starting XI were academy graduates Mduduzi Shabalala, Mfundo Vilakazi and Wandile Duba.
However, Sheppard defended the selection, explaining that injuries and Stellenbosch’s attacking qualities influenced the technical team’s decisions and tactical approach.
“With the injuries we’ve had, young Thulani Mabaso has just returned from a long-term injury,” he said.
“I think it would have been unfair to throw him into a game straight after the FIFA break, so we had to find alternatives.
“During pre-season, we worked with Reeve Frosler in midfield. He’s played that position before, and with the three weeks we had to prepare, he did really, really well. That was the thinking behind that decision.
“With Mako coming back and making his first start of the season, we wanted to use him in the back four. We anticipated Bradley Grobler and Sinoxolo Kwayiba playing as two strikers, given their aerial qualities. We also considered the long balls and the pace with which Gavin Hunt wants his team to play.
“We wanted to control those areas and then use the wing-backs to get in behind them. We didn’t anticipate Gavin using a back five, but when you look at his lineup, it matched up system for system, so it was a good battle.
“The system is just the starting point. During games, players have different roles and responsibilities, occupying different positions at certain times.
“People might call it defensive, but it can also be attacking. When your wing-backs are high, you’re in a 3-2-5, and that becomes a very attacking system.”
Despite defending the tactical approach, the Chiefs assistant coach acknowledged that his side struggled to commit enough players forward in search of a winning goal against Stellenbosch.
“As the game went on, we wanted to throw bodies forward, but, to be honest with you, we were a bit back-heavy. There were times when they left two players up front, and we had five players back,” he added.
“We were trying to get the wing-backs higher and have one of our midfielders join the attack, especially when Flavio Da Silva started moving into the wide areas. We needed players on the opposite side, such as Asanele Velebayi and perhaps Thulani, to join the attack, but we didn’t have that.
“That’s something we have to go back to and improve because we’re creating situations where we get into the final third but are not able to capitalise on them. It’s something we’ve got to work on.”
Chiefs will now turn their attention to continental football, temporarily shifting their focus away from the league as they travel to Zambia to face Red Arrows on Saturday in the first leg of the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round.
