Kaizer Chiefs defender Lorenzo Gordinho has backed under-fire coach Steve Komphela and says it is up to the players to reverse the club's inconsistent form as they prepare to face Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates this week.
Gordinho will sit the games out with two broken ribs amid something of an injury crisis in defence for the AmaKhosi, but he believes they have enough in reserve to get two wins.
KweséESPN caught up with the 23-year-old South Africa international:
This is shaping up to be a crucial week with league matches against Mamelodi Sundowns and your Soweto rivals Orlando Pirates...
We have a responsibility as Chiefs players to always perform and always win games. I just think things haven't been going for us recently. But everybody is working hard at the club and coming together as a team to try and turn it around. Sundowns is a big game for us, as is Saturday [against Pirates], so we want to tray and take momentum from this week forward.
How are things in the camp after the international break, have you seen any extra intensity ahead of these two massive matches?
Preparations have been the same, it is just another two games for us. But obviously the hype is there, everybody wants to play in big games and be a part of that. We have to win both games, there's no two ways about it.
Are the players aware of the added pressure on coach Steve Komphela this week?
The players want to perform for him, whether it is a big game or a small game. Just because we don't get the results doesn't mean he's not doing his job. We don't go out to lose. It will be an intense week, there will be pressure, but we have to enjoy the pressure, because that's what we love. Everybody wants to play in a packed stadium, everybody wants to feel the heat, I think we will have good week.
Chiefs have something of a defensive crisis with both recognised right-backs, Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Kgotso Moleko out, yourself injured along with Teenage Hadebe, as well as experienced left-back Tsepo Masilela. Is there enough cover there?
We do have the players in the squad and the team morale to get through, I just think it is difficult for the technical staff with the scenario that we have with so many defenders out. But I think the guys will pull through. We're are family at the club. It is disappointing, especially for us defenders because we all feel like we are supposed to be the strong ones, but we're the ones out injured. We will be back, everybody is on the road to recovery. It's up to the coach who plays this week, but we have got enough, we're Kaizer Chiefs!
How are your two broken ribs coming along?
I will have another scan next week Wednesday and then they are looking for me to start training again at the end of the month.
Chiefs goalkeeper Itumeleng Khune has been magnificent of late, picking up three Man of the Match awards in a row. Is that perhaps a sign that he has been left too exposed by the defence?
There are times in matches where he has made critical saves for us, but it is part of the game. Teams play to score and we also play to score, so there will be times when he is needed and he has had a brilliant two months. He has carried the club and the country, and we appreciate that. As defenders, it spurs us on to work harder to protect him.
There is another chance for silverware coming up with the Telkom Knockout where you have drawn AmaZulu in the first round. With the league perhaps priority, is this an important competition for you?
It's very important, it's a clean slate for us and a chance to get into the next round and build some confidence for the team. That would be good for the players, the coach and the fans as well, so we see this as a very big opportunity. We want to win all the trophies out there, we don't go out there to lose.