Jose Riveiro responds to the alleged unhappiness of the fans

Speaking to the media after losing on penalties to a struggling Richards Bay FC over the weekend in Durban, Riveiro says there’s nothing he can do about the fans’ unhappiness but contrate on improving his team.

Pirates have already won the MTN8 title this season, but they are struggling in the league.

"I don't have any opinion about the fans. Fans are fans. We lost today [Saturday evening], they must be upset. Football fans are critical with the coach. Even when we win, the fans are going to be upset because I didn't play this player and I played the other one. Everybody has an opinion in football, everyone, even you guys [the media] but there's nothing I can do," Riveiro said.

Pirates play another struggling side Sekhukhune United in a league game tonight at the Orlando stadium.

Riveiro hopes his tired players will have recovered to give a good performance and turn the corner.

"The only thing that we can do, it's again, sleep well, and eat well because on Tuesday we have to compete again. Tomorrow [Monday] in the afternoon it's minus one [Match day], that’s about it.

Tomorrow in the afternoon when we finish training it's minus one again for us. We will try our best again," Riveiro added.

Pirates have only collected five points from a possible 15 in their last five matches in the league, this has seen them falling 15 points behind log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns with only nine points from eight matches.

Ahead of the Sekhukhune game, the Spaniard says they are desperate for points and not good football.

"We are playing for three points, we need points. We need to play bad one game, we need to play really bad and win it and not be fancy like we are right now. With an 80% possession and pulling the opponent there inside the goal but not scoring.

“I'd rather now play a bad game and win, get the three points, get a boost, and go to the derby as good as possible but we don't know. We don't want to do it in that way, we have our own ways to do things and trust me we really want to win because it's important.

“It's important for the confidence of the players. It's important to our fans as well to be kinder and happier with us. So, it goes without saying. It's very important, the next game for us." 

READ: Jose Riveiro addresses Orlando Pirates' struggle in the League as compared to Cup matches