Cape Town - Orlando Pirates goalkeeper Brighton Mhlongo has moved swiftly to defend under-fire Eric Tinkler, claiming the coach has a very good relationship with the players.
Tinkler has been the subject of the Buccaneers supporters' fury following their poor run of domestic results this season, which has seen the side already lose two of their four Premiership outings so far.
The Soweto giants will be looking to get back to winning ways when they square off against Polokwane City on Tuesday, where they will be hoping to build up a head of steam ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup semi-final first-leg against Al-Ahly on Saturday.
"Eric is a fantastic coach, not forgetting his technical team. They have been fantastic to us and they give the players freedom to express themselves in a manner that reflects the collective effort and discipline," Mhlongo told Soccer Laduma.
"He knows how to co-operate with us and work with the players. So far, I think he has been doing well as head coach of the team."