Is Petersen Kaizer Chiefs' scapegoat? 'It boils down to a lot'

Former Kaizer Chiefs tactician Cavin Johnson insists tough analysis is needed before concluding that Brandon Petersen is the weak link at the Glamour Boys.

The 32-year-old – who is currently nursing a knee injury, has been making some costly blunders this season. He contributed to his team’s exit from the MTN8 when poor positioning allowed Golden Arrows to score.

Kaizer Chiefs head coach Fernando Da Cruz — Photo – Kaizer Chiefs

In the Premier Soccer League, the South Africa international conceded seemingly avoidable goals against Mamelodi Sundowns, Richards Bay and Polokwane City respectively.

Renaldo Leaner came in against Golden Arrows and made some great saves in the goalless draw. Johnson has now explained why changes should not come just like that, especially when one player is seen as the problem.

A lot of things to take into consideration

“It [changing goalkeepers] boils down to a lot. Who is in front of the goalkeeper? Who is giving instructions in front, in the middle, in defence? And then it gets to the goalkeeper,” Johnson told FARPost.

Brandon Petersen has been making costly errors for Kaizer Chiefs. Image: Kaizer Chiefs

“So, there are a lot of things you have to take into consideration as a coach. Then you have to analyse the type of goals scored. Were the goals scored from play, or were they scored from set pieces?

“Whether they were scored against the run of play. If they were scored from open play and they got through your defenders, midfielders, and strikers, you have to ask why the mistake was made there.

“If the mistakes are done when you are pressing high and they score against you on a counter-attack, then you have to know what your rest defense is doing. So, there are a lot of variables taking place,” the former Al Ahly assistant coach added.

Where is the problem?

Johnson the pointed out situations that can be analysed especially after a goal has been conceded.

“You can only see, as the analysis will probably tell you, if there is a pattern that we are only conceding against set plays. Therefore, what is the problem with us defending set plays?”

Bradley Cross, Osborn Maluleke — Bradley Cross of Kaizer Chiefs against Osborn Maluleke of Golden Arrows, Image: Arrows

“Are we setting up our rest defence in set pieces the right way? Do we have the right players in the right place to close all the spaces? Is the goalkeeper in the right position to defend those set pieces? So you have to look at all those things, then you have to separate them from set plays, counter-attacks, rest defence, to defence of play.

“Those are the things I would do if I had to change my goalkeeper. If I have to change my goalkeeper, I have to look at all those things before I put up my hand and say I have to give you a rest because of one, two, three, four,” Johnson concluded.