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Cape Town - University of Pretoria head coach Steve Barker says his side
have used the break in fixtures to work on their mental conditioning in
an effort to find a way to get themselves out of relegation trouble.
AmaTuks have been eliminated from the Telkom Knockout and are currently second from bottom of the standings with just six points on the board from their nine outings in the league so far.
Barker has admitted that things have been tougher this season than in previous campaign - their third since gaining promotion to the top flight in 2013.
"Obviously, you cannot just wave a magic wand," Barker told the Sowetan. "Our resilience is being tested and we need to stand up and show character.
"Some of the things that fell our way two seasons ago (when AmaTuks finished in the top eight), like a ball going in off the bar five minutes from time, for example, are now just not going for us."
Tuks fell to their fifth defeat of the Premiership campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic in their last match before the break, but the coach is confident they can turn their fortunes.
"The players are hurting after the loss to Bloemfontein Celtic, which was unlucky," he added. "But the players are determined and the next two games are crucial."
Their next two fixtures are against Ajax Cape Town at the Tuks Stadium midweek, before they visit Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on the weekend.
AmaTuks have been eliminated from the Telkom Knockout and are currently second from bottom of the standings with just six points on the board from their nine outings in the league so far.
Barker has admitted that things have been tougher this season than in previous campaign - their third since gaining promotion to the top flight in 2013.
"Obviously, you cannot just wave a magic wand," Barker told the Sowetan. "Our resilience is being tested and we need to stand up and show character.
"Some of the things that fell our way two seasons ago (when AmaTuks finished in the top eight), like a ball going in off the bar five minutes from time, for example, are now just not going for us."
Tuks fell to their fifth defeat of the Premiership campaign against Bloemfontein Celtic in their last match before the break, but the coach is confident they can turn their fortunes.
"The players are hurting after the loss to Bloemfontein Celtic, which was unlucky," he added. "But the players are determined and the next two games are crucial."
Their next two fixtures are against Ajax Cape Town at the Tuks Stadium midweek, before they visit Moroka Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on the weekend.
