The Buccaneers played out to a dull Absa Premiership goalless draw against University of Pretoria last night, having only arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday from Gabon, where they drew 2-2 with CF Mounana.
Tinkler said earlier in the week that fatigue would not be a problem, but admitted after the game last night that the players were tired from all the travelling.
"We came back from a long trip and made six changes to the starting line-up,” he said. “I am not trying to make excuses. I am not here to make excuses, I take full responsibility of the results.
"But we landed at 5am on Wednesday and still had to train in the evening at 7pm.You can’t make players do too much.
“Thursday was the only day we had to prepare to play on Friday, and then you make six changes to the team, of which four are forced. That makes the team disjointed. Some players are still feeling the effects of the journey.”
The result moved Pirates into third spot, but still three points off Mamelodi Sundowns, who also have a game in hand.
“There is still a lot to play for, a lot of pride to play for, a lot of dignity to play for. A club like Pirates always has high expectations. We expected to win every game and every competition.”