Middendorp on survival and Richards Bay's suspicious goal

Middendorp commenting after losing 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday night, says his team is capable of more good runs before the end of the season.

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Spurs have now lost their last three matches in their five-game winless streak.

With some big games still to come, it’s interesting where Middendorp thinks the points will come from.

''The performance today, it was not a mediocre team on the other side and if you are capable of producing a number of opportunities and to keep your shape despite chasing position dominance. This makes you think that it can happen, and it will happen,'' said Middendorp. 

Two of the last three losses have come against teams that have also been battling to move away from the relegation zone in Chippa United and Moroka Swallows.

By failing to come out tops in these six-pointers, Spurs missed a big opportunity.

But Middendorp is also cautioning against foul play during a difficult period of fighting relegation as he alleges that Richards Bay FC’s goal against Swallows could have been suspicious.

 ''I must say that I am really shocked at how the centre back from Swallows opened the door and allowed to score the goal,'' added Middendorp.

So dire has been the situation and desperation for points at Spurs that in the past few matches, that Middendorp has been forced to play the influential captain Chumani Butsaka even when he’s injured as he revealed last night.

''There was a huge problem with his toe, it is really was painful, it takes a certain time,'' he concluded

Since the arrival of Middendorp at Spurs, junior international right back Siviwe Nkwali has not only made his debut but is now fast approaching 10 appearances in the elite division.

The German born coach says his years of experience in the game, has made it possible for him to spot talent.