Middendorp admits players are tense

Cape Town - Ernst Middendorp admits that tension is high within the Maritzburg United camp as they continue to falter in their battle to steer clear of relegation.

The Team of Choice currently occupy last position in the 16-team table, with only 9 points from 18 games, a far cry from the squad that finished in the top eight under Steve Komphela last season.

The KwaZulu-Natal based team fought back viliantly this weekend to earn a 1-1 draw with Platinum Stars but the German coach understands that wins are needed in order to propel them out of the relgation zone. 

The former Kazier Chiefs boss believes that the players are trying to hard and the pressure of relegation is affecting their performances on the pitch.

"It is not unusual to be tense, having lost the last three games. Knowing that you need a win," Middendorp told Mzansi Football.

"The team deserved a positive result [against Stars]. Coming back from 0-1, we kept the structure, some good moments in the second half with shots where I would say if they could have been on target, then there would have been no chance for the goalkeeper.

"Not everything is going well as we planned, as we asked for, as I think is possible with the team. But we have to take it and prepare for our next game in Bloemfontein [on Sunday]."