UNIVERSITY of Pretoria head coach Sammy Troughton knows he is a dead man walking if he loses his next Absa Premiership match against Free State Stars at Goble Park on 13 December.
The AmaTuks boss said yesterday that the pressure was on to get his side out of the relegation zone.
He said: “It’s been tough going. I’m under lots of pressure and under the microscope. But if you can’t take the pressure you should not be a coach.
“I have told the players and the back-room staff that I expect them to give a few percent extra and help me turn the corner.
“If not, then I will be a dead man walking, for sure. I know that we are in a results business and the results have not been coming, so we have to beat Stars in Bethlehem.”
But Troughton heaped praise on the the AmaTuks management for their patience: “They have stood by me. I have no complaints about them. But I know that the results are my responsibility and as such, we can’t keep slipping up.
“I’m under pressure to pull the rabbit out of the hat and start climbing up the table, starting with Stars, otherwise I’ll be expecting that phone call.”.
“I have faith in my players. We are a far better side than the results suggest.
“But we have to collect three points and not scrape to a draw against a Stars side also hovering near the foot of the table. This game is vital.”
To make matters worse AmaTuks lost to bottom club Maritzburg United in their last match on 8 November – and they’re only playing again when they face Ea Lla Koto on 13 December.
Said Troughton: “Losing to Maritzburg was a blow. But we have nearly six weeks in-between due to the break.
“There is no use complaining. I’m using the time to be positive, to work on fitness, set-pieces and getting fully prepared for Stars.”
The league is in recess for the Caf Under-23 Africa Cup of Nations in Senegal, which kicks off on Saturday with the SA U-23 side facing hosts Senegal.
AmaTuks and Maritzburg have five points each but the Tshwane side has two matches in hand. Stars have 11 points.
