Barker focused on avoiding the drop, not top eight

Cape Town - Steve Barker has played down his side's chances of securing a top-eight finish and is instead focused on avoiding relegation.

Stellenbosch are just four points adrift of a top-eight place after accumulating 27 points from their 27 league games.

However, Barker does not think a top-eight finish is a feasible goal for his Absa Premiership newbies and just wants to reach the 30-point mark, which is a virtual guarantee of safety.

"We still have work to do. We know it. I never get too far ahead of myself," Barker told IOL after his side's 3-0 defeat to Maritzburg United on Friday.

"You know that you get a couple of good wins, which elevate you on the league table and people start talking about top eight. That is foolish. The next target is to get to 30 points as soon as possible.

"Once we get to 30, it is easier to get to 33. We have seven games to do that. It was never a bad time to get a lesson. It is a wake-up call for us."

Stellies have to play Mamelodi Sundowns, Golden Arrows, Cape Town City, Kaizer Chiefs, Chippa United, AmaZulu and Orlando Pirates in their remaining league fixtures.

- TEAMtalk media