I have through the season taken a keen interest in matches involving Platinum Stars, and I must admit their displays have been nothing short of scintillating. At times they looked miles apart in terms of quality as compared to most of their opponents, a view which I am sure the likes of F’Stars (4-0), Black Leopards (4-0), Ajax Cape Town (3-0), Golden Arrows 6-4) Kaizer Chiefs (2-0) just to name a few would attest to.
What has been the most impressive feature is that in many of the games that they have won they dominated the opposition and looked threatening whenever going forward. This has been a “team” that has played with belief and confidence in their abilities. They have not setback for anyone, be it against the “Treble wining Orlando Pirates” or Rising Amakhosi or the expensively assembled Mamelodi Sundowns they have simply went toe to toe, pound for pound against any anyone on their path.
As much as that has been an admirable trait in their season, one could easily argue that, that has been the downfall in the recently ended campaign and a contributory factor in them being a runner up instead of being at the top of the table.
As a result of their flamboyant open attacking game Dikwena as they are affectionately known has lost way too many games for aspiring champions and have drawn games which you would have expected them to win. With all due respect to Chippa United, serious tittle challengers should never lose four points out of a possible six to a Chippa United who had five coaches. Eight losses are way too much for any championship challenging team.
Their free flowing style has been a highlight of the season, but also their demise as at times at least half of their loses could have easily been turned into draws, and draws which would have come handy in the end considering that they only fell short by a solitary point. This is especially considering that in the seven losses six were by a single goal.
What has also been a noticeable blemish in their run is the fact that in the 8 games they have lost, 6 were away games, comparing that with 10 home wins, which indicates a propensity to struggle away from the Royal Bafokeng Stadium. Furthermore this is a team in which in all the games that they have lost the opposition had scored first and Stars has failed to come back. Again a deficiency which makes them less of a championship team.
The hallmark of a champion is the ability to be able to grind out results. Win games you should have lost, or get the minimal draw. Platinum Stars have failed to do this. To an extent you could call it the naivety of a brilliant yet inexperience coach in the top flight. The demise of Stars could also be attributed to the lack a plan B when the all-out attack does not come through. In a 30 game league a team need not win all their games. As coach at times one needs to identify games where a draw is deemed sufficient.
I am huge fan of local coaches and times I have felt that they have not been given a fair chance. Cavin Johnson has added that admiration of mine as he has displayed the vast talent and technical; tactical acumen of local coaches. The performances of his charges in the season have shown that they are capable. This has been a huge learning curve for the coach and the players. With access to finest training facilities, one home base and reasonable financial backing there is definitely something to work on come the next season. However for this current campaign, Platinum Stars have lacked the consistency required of champions.
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