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Johannesburg - Following his side's comfortable 4-1 Premiership victory over Free State Stars in Atteridgeville on Saturday, newly-appointed SuperSport coach Cavin Johnson says there is still plenty of work to do.
"On the one hand, it's always nice to win in football, but on the other hand, there's a lot of room for improvement in my team," Johnson said at the Lucas Moripe Stadium.
"We scored goals that we had been training for, but in the first 20 minutes I didn't think we played too well.
"We were in a hurry and the players need to learn when to put the speed on, when to put the car into first gear and when to put it into reverse."
Mame Niang scored a brace as United recorded their first win under Johnson, who replaced Gavin Hunt at the end of last season.
Stars were reduced to 10 men on the stroke of half-time, allowing United to start their new campaign with a win.
The team came from a goal down to canter home, courtesy of goals from Benett Chenene, Sameegh Doutie and a double from Niang.
With a host of new signings, which included Chenene, Thuso Phala and David Mathebula, Johnson said he was pleased with the way in which the team had responded to the new acquisitions.
The former Platinum Stars coach, however, felt the Pretoria outfit still had some way to go in coming together as a unit.
"To score four goals at the beginning of the season, you have to congratulate them for doing that," Johnson said.
"I do believe that we have to understand each other better (as a team) but I'm happy for the win.
"In moments, I'm happy that my team have gelled well and I think that we're doing a good job."
Stars coach Steve Komphela, meanwhile, was left fuming at referee Victor Gomes, who he called "an uninvited guest" when summing up a disappointing day for the Free State outfit.
"This is sheer madness from this referee," Komphela said.
"This guy has got a tendency of giving us red cards and yellow cards… It's crazy.
"I know I could be facing some action, but this guy reffed nonsense.
"Anyone could have played for SuperSport today. With a referee like this, who needs an opponent?"
Komphela added that Stars looked in good shape having taken the lead in the 11th minute.
"We need to respond and unfortunately a start of this nature will always make it difficult for young players," he said.
"I'm sure, up until SuperSport scored the third goal, there were good signs of a well-organised team."
