Orlando Pirates' Monnapule Saleng has been handed key advice on rediscovering his form by Bucs legend Shakes Gwabeni.
By his lofty standards Saleng, has endured an underwhelming season having registered just two goals and a single assist in his 15 appearances for the Buccaneers across all competitions.
These numbers a re a far cry for a player that contributed 15 goals and 10 assists in 30 appearances across all competitions last season and scooped the DStv Premiership Players' Player of the Year award as well as the Last Man Standing award for impressive performance in Pirates' MTN8 winning campaign.
READ | Baloni opens up on working with Riveiro
In assessing what has gone wrong for the skilful midfielder, Bucs legend Gwabeni believe a number of factors could have played a part.
"Well it could be a few things, for example you can see that the team has changed the way they play you," Gwabeni told KickOff.
"The new style of playing seems to be more suited for attacking midfielder behind the striker and it doesin't sit wingers like Saleng, So I think that is one of the reasons It looks like he is struggling to replicate his form.
"It could also be that it is his second season. The second season is always tougher than the first.
"When you arrive on the scene defending don't really stick to you or know how to deal with you but after his performances last season, you would expect tat teams now plan ahead for him and mark him a bit tighter.
Monnapule Saleng against Sundowns today:?? Assists: 1? Goals: 2?? Man of the Match10/10 performance in a big game!#MTN8 pic.twitter.com/P482gTyYP9
— SuperSport Football ?? (@SSFootball) October 22, 2022
Alarmingly, Saleng has started only three of the Buccaneers' last three league matches and was an unused substitute in two of the last three, including three Soweto Derby clash against Kaizer Chiefs.
On remedying the situation, Gwabeni believes the 25-year-old simply needs to 'stick to the basics'.
"it's a tough situation for him and I think also for the coach," added Riveiro.
"So many new players have arrived, Kimvuidi, Maswanganyi, Kapinga and so fourth. With these type of players the coach may be forced to change the way of playing you know.
"Saleng has to stick to the basics and focus on his football. A mistake would if he gets frustrated or unsettled then it could go from bad to wors. He just has to play and trust that his form will come back."
ALSO READ | Pirates star: 'I was heartbroken'
It's unlikely that Saleng is no longer in the head coach Jose Riveiro's plans, with the Spaniard having spoken glowingly of the former Free State Starrs attacker earlier this year.
"I couldn't see [any player who was better],even if we don't talk about facts, about stats but we're talking clearly about the season of Saleng, I think he was very attractive, there to see for the fans, and that for me, that's the most important thing," Riveiro said on Radio2000 in June.
"But we're so happy with his season and what he had achieved and we're even more happy because we know he can give much more and he's going to give much more in the future."
Saleng will be aiming to return to the starting lineup when Pirates host his former side Moroka Swallows at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
Click HERE to register!