The British tactician explains his tactical adjustment and why the Serbian forward played from the left flank against Masandawana, Kaizer Chiefs coach Stuart Baxter has explained his choice to play striker Samir Nurkovic on the wing, with Khama Billiat assuming the center role.
During the Premier Soccer League encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday at Loftus Versfeld Stadium, the Serbian attacker played on the left wing, with Keagan Dolly on the right wing and Billiat in the centre.
The system, however, did not work for the Soweto giants, who were defeated 2-0 by goals from Grant Kekana in the eighth minute and Peter Shalulile in the 63rd minute.
When asked about his current formation, Baxter told reporters, as cited by idiskitimes, “If you want Samir to engage in that short passing game and have a quick first touch the manner that Keagan and Khama execute it, I doubt it.”
“But what Samir does provide us is a really nice foil for the two short players.
For example, if we utilize Khama as the nine and occasionally put him in as a fake nine position, Samir then becomes the nine from the position that he has, which is why he got so many times in goalscoring positions.
“I think Samir from that position is a good complement to them and that’s why I’m disappointed that one of those from the three didn’t score a goal tonight.”
