Roger Palmgren © Backpagepix

Usuthu are without a win or without a goal after four matches of the campaign, three in the Absa Premiership, where they sit bottom of the log, and one in the MTN8, whilst shipping 10 goals thus far.

They are also the only side yet to score a goal in 2012-13, although their wretched start was somewhat curtailed in the last round of league matches after they picked up a goalless draw at home to Lamontville Golden Arrows.

Pressure, however, remains on the Swede and he cannot afford another poor result when they face up to SuperSport United this week.

“They (the board) are not happy and neither am I or the players,” Palmgren said on Thursday. “We have to bounce back ad start winning and we will do that.

“At the end of the day I am confident of achieving what we wanted to this season.

“The aim is still to end as high as possible and we’re trying as much as possible to improve on last year.”

The club ended an impressive seventh last season, the highest in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) era, prompting high expectations for their 80th year anniversary year.

But they are still searching for a first win, with the coach also not helped by a string of injuries to key players and paperwork issues for his foreigners.

Two of their most senior players, captain and goalkeeper Tapuwa Kapini is out for eight weeks after undergoing ankle surgery, while veteran defender Belux Kasonga has problems with his visa.

However, the near-two week break since their last game has enabled all the other players to return.

The one major area for concern has been in front of goal, though, as the team continues to shoot blanks.

“We haven’t scored for three games, but I’m not worried,” Palmgren said. “We’ve worked harder with our strikers on scoring obviously during the break.

“I will be worried if we are not entering the final third of the pitch, but we’re doing that.

“The players are getting into good attacking areas and creating some good chances.

“We hit the post a few times in the last game and there were some good penalty shouts, so we’re also hoping our luck will turn.”

As for their next league assignment against SuperSport, the coach added: “You have to be fully focused for 90 minutes against them.

“They are especially good on transitions, which is turning defence to attack and attack to defence, so both directions.

“If you want to score or defend against them you have to be very quick. Obviously they’re also very strong with set-plays.

“It will be a tough game, but we are prepared.”