Bernard Parker sees ‘building blocks’ in youthful TS Galaxy after Sekhukhune draw

TS Galaxy coach Bernard Parker says his youthful side is showing the foundations of a promising team after a goalless draw away to Sekhukhune United in the Betway Premiership on Saturday night.

The result moved TS Galaxy to six points from five matches, leaving them just outside the top eight on goal difference. Both sides created few clear chances in a cautious contest, but Parker was the more satisfied of the two coaches at full-time.

Galaxy have lost only once this season, alongside one victory and three draws, and Parker believes the team’s progress is becoming clearer as the campaign develops.

“No, I wouldn’t think it’s a slow start. Looking at all the teams and us, pound for pound, I think we did have a lot of positives. Out of the five games, we only lost one.

We won one and we drew the three, so we’re on the right track,” said Parker

The former Bafana Bafana striker has been in charge for his first full season after taking over from Adnan Beganovic towards the end of the previous campaign.

He feels Galaxy’s performance against a more experienced Sekhukhune United team demonstrated the squad’s growing maturity and resilience. Parker also believes his players could have taken all three points had they made better use of their set-piece opportunities.

“Also, we’re growing, game by game. Our last game we won, and now this game was a very tough one.

I believe we could have won it, with so much of set-pieces on the free-kicks and in the corners. We could have gotten one. On another day, if it went in, we could have spoken another language.

It’s only for us to build on this. I believe it’s also now how you start. It’s how we do well and how we keep improving.”

The coach said the lifting of the FIFA ban had helped create a more balanced squad and allowed TS Galaxy to field their new signings. He also continues to enjoy the backing of chairman Tim Sukazi.

Parker believes the playing style he is introducing is being embraced by the players, with the squad developing a shared understanding of his approach.

“In terms of my philosophy, I think the players are adapting well. We are all on par, and we all have the same understanding. We’re all committed with regard to the philosophy that’s in place. As I said earlier, there are good signs. There are a lot of positives. It’s up to us to turn those positives into points.”

With Galaxy having collected points in four of their opening five matches, Parker says the focus is now on converting encouraging performances into more victories. Their goalless draw at Sekhukhune United offered further evidence, in his view, that the team is moving in the right direction despite the limited number of chances created by either side.