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Johannesburg - Despite faring better in cup matches than in the Premiership, Orlando Pirates coach Vladimir Vermezovic says there is no difference in the way he prepares his troops.
"The tactical approach is the same to games. There are many games and we cannot categorise some games as important and not important," Vermezovic said.
The Buccaneers were yet to register a win in the Premiership after drawing 1-1 against AmaZulu at the Orlando Stadium on Wednesday.
Bongani Ndulula opened the scoring from the penalty spot for AmaZulu in the first half. Thabo Matlaba pulled one back for the hosts in the second.
The Sea Robbers' previous results were a 2-2 draw against Bloemfontein Celtic and a 2-1 loss to Moroka Swallows in the league.
However, in the MTN8, Pirates are in pole position to reach the final after beating Wits 2-0 in the semi-final last week, which left them on the verge of a second consecutive cup final under Vermezovic.
After only a couple of weeks in charge of the team, the tactician known as "VV" guided Pirates to glory in the Nedbank Cup in May.
Pirates take on Wits in the second leg tie in Orlando on Saturday.
Although he stated the team prepared for games similarly, the Serbian coach did, however, suggest that his players' frame of mind for each game may be skewed in cups versus the league.
"Sometimes for players it's difficult to get into their minds. Every game is a final in any competition."
With two points collected from a possible nine in the league, it was about time the team started picking up maximum points, he said.
"Of course we have to collect as many points as possible. But we are taking it game-by-game.
"Sometimes the approach of the players can be affected but there is no difference in tactical approach in our games."
There have been two similarities in the performances of Pirates and AmaZulu this season. Both are winless in the league and both have fallen to a familiar foe.
The losses inflicted on both teams were by Pirates' arch nemesis Swallows in the league.
Coach Craig Rosslee, whose side has also collected two points, said there were still many points for the taking in the Premiership.
"We have a target for the season. It's three games into the season and in the league there are 90 points up for grabs, which means there are still 81 points up for grabs and that's a lot of apples to pick from."
Rosslee said it was not for a lack of trying that the results were not going the way of Usuthu, as the tactician felt his team were in control in some ties.
"We have been dominant in games but fail to take our chances. We have a tough fixture list. We have six games at home and nine away from home so we need to collect some points."
Against the Sea Robbers, Rosslee said the match was winnable after another commanding performance.
"We had to have our tactics right against Pirates. We upset their rhythm and did not allow them to get into their build up.
AmaZulu felt aggrieved by referee Lwandile Mfiki's decision not to award a second penalty after Ndulula was fouled in the box.
"I was disappointed that Rooi Mahamutsa didn't get booked and I thought it was a penalty maybe. I'll have to have another look at that on the highlights."
