Bartlett: We've got to bounce back

Cape Town - University of Pretoria head coach Shaun Bartlett says it's a do-or-die clash for his side against Highlands Park in the relegation/promotion play-offs on Saturday.

After losing 1-0 to Mbombela United in their opening play-off fixture last month, AmaTuks head into Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa needing nothing less than a victory, as they look to retain their top-flight status for next season.

Bartlett, who took charge of the Tshwane side in January, has called on his troops to pick themselves up and get ready for the battle on Saturday afternoon.

"We have got to bounce back as quickly as possible. It was a disappointing result, especially considering it was at home and now we have put ourselves in a position where it is a do-or-die battle," he told Goal website.

"Very similar to the last match of the season against Golden Arrows, we needed to win in order to get to the playoffs. Now we need to win to stay in this race.

Commenting on the first leg against Mbombela, the former Bafana Bafana striker added: "We were a bit unlucky, but at the end of the day, for me, it was about the performance. I think some of the players undermined the opponent and probably went into the game thinking we have already won before the game was even played.

"The negative was that they lost to Highlands Park a few days before and I think most of the players watched that game and thought it was going to be an easy game," Bartlett concluded.