Ernst Middendorp slams Swallows's defensive ignorance against Orlando Pirates

The Dube Birds suffered yet another sizeable defeat after a promising victory – this time conceding four times much to the dismay of Middendorp, who has raised concerns over their relegation scrap.

"Of course, it's the biggest disappointment of the game to have experienced players – Sipho [Sibiya], Yagan [Sasman], Kwanda [Mngonyama] – I even brought Darrel [Matsheke] into it, not to allow them to damage our goal difference," bemoaned the German tactician.

"And we just don't take care, we just run out of it, we just think, 'Oh, it's a nice game, it's like a friendly game, it doesn't matter if you concede three or four – that's the biggest disappointment of the game for me."

Swallows remain 14th on the log with 24 points from 22 matches, with eight games to try and salvage their status, with just six points between them and the automatic relegation spot currently occupied by Marumo Gallants.

"As I said before the game, it's really important to respect your own abilities and respect the abilities of the opponent. We had a good game and good three points in Port Elizabeth [Gqeberha] and obviously it's not the first time, it looks to me like a syndrome or sickness or I don't know," he added.

"You play a good game, you win, fully deserved, and get three points and then you go into the next game and, ja, a certain amount of energy and – how should I say – you ask yourself, 'What's going on? What's happening? Why is the same focus and commitment not there? But good, anyway, that we have to discuss internally."