HOME > NEWS > GORDON IGESUND SAYS MOROKA SWALLOWS STAYING GROUNDED

Gordon Igesund says Moroka Swallows staying grounded

Dube Birds staying grounded

Posted: 2012-02-07 11:53

Moroka Swallows coach Gordon Igesund says they will approach the resumption of the League campaign like the start of a new season.

The Dube Birds are sitting pretty in fourth place – a far cry from last season’s relegation woes – and will host struggling Santos at Dobsonville Stadium on February 15.

But Igesund says he and his players are not getting carried away with the good first half of the campaign. Instead, they are still targeting the season’s initial objective – finishing in the top eight.

“It’s been a long, long break, and that’s obviously made things very difficult. But then it’s been difficult for all the teams, not just us,” Igesund tells KickOff.com.

“We have tried to make the best of the situation and the preparations have gone very well. We have played five or six high-profile friendlies against teams from Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Botswana and Angola.

“The guys are looking very sharp and are in the right frame of mind heading into the second round. We are approaching it like the start of a new season.”

At the same stage last year, Swallows were locked in a relegation battle that meant their focus had to be 100 per cent on the League campaign. This time, however, they can afford to give a bit more attention to the cup competitions, including the Nedbank Cup, where they will face Bidvest Wits in the Last 32.

“It’s good, but difficult,” Igesund says of the draw that took place in Sandton last night. “We could have had an easier game against one of the smaller teams, but at least we know what we are up against in Wits.

“Sometimes against the smaller teams you have no information on them, or you have to go play on some sub-standard pitch which could result in injuries. We all know Wits are cup specialists and it will be tough against them, but overall I am happy with the draw, especially as we are at home.”

* CLICK HERE for the full Nedbank Cup draw
* CLICK HERE for the full Absa Premiership fixtures

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TP : 2012-02-07 12:26

After watching Swallows consecutive games against Pirates,they didn't convince me as a team with a believe to go all the way.

The brutal truth is in live you know how far can you go pushing yourself & I just sense this is a case with Swallows.

They have been falling short in most instances & to shake of that tag will be mission impossible.

Overall is good to see them playing better.

obri : 2012-02-07 12:28

Let's go guys its about time. Take it from where we left last year. Up da birds!!

Mfundisi One-Skipper Bakaniya: 2012-02-07 12:44

The coach is targeting position 8, but the fans are dreaming for number 1...lol

brazilitto : 2012-02-07 12:48

While the other soweto giant frogs are being hit badly by recession Museum Swallows has been hit by climate change. The Cop17 which was held in durban late last year didn't help. Some birds are not too sure what season are we on.
Up the thekwanos

Vez'ikhanda: 2012-02-07 12:52

Eish Gordon, why always talking about aiming for a top 8 spot? That is underming swallows current form, why not aim for winning the league? Gordon is boring me now, the team we have can win the league.......Swaiswai by birth.

Oom Cee : 2012-02-07 13:46

@SImangaliso ur coach ar playing mind games.He fully concentrates at da job at hand nd bang!!!there's da league title.You'll see my man Rise Khosi ....

Mini: 2012-02-07 15:44

@Member, Vezikhanda don't worry Igesund knows what he means. He is a strategist I am sure he is only saying this to deviate attention from the Nest, so we can catch them off guard. Fly like a Bird

Smoll Azzo : 2012-02-07 18:53

Here we go again...we nt even startd bt hatez dy olred knw wht wl hppn 2 us..lol. Swallows wl neva bk dwn 2 any1 of ur teamz insted we wl fight4 wht biliv nd u wl swet, nothng wl b free . I'm rly sad bcos ds haterz dey dil wt motions lyk *****iz whn dey luz u wl c tearz rol dwn on deir faces bt dy tok 2 mch bt az 4 us Swaiswai we wl do awa best 2 fulfil nd complete our mission bcos we r savivaz nd we wl turn adaz drim 2 flame. Swai by birth dnt b twisted..let's rize ma Swai amahle..beautiful Dube Birds, its ol abt les tok..on d field u wl c...