When Craig Rosslee arrived at AmaZulu last November, he faced the unenviable task of lifting a club without any confidence, was bottom of the Absa Premiership and had just suffered a seventh loss in 12 league games.

Since then, the former Cape Town Spurs, Hellenic and Santos defender has turned things around dramatically and Usuthu have lost just once in nine games to steadily rise to 13th.

The 43-year-old, whose only previous head coach role had been at Ajax Cape Town, spoke to PSL.co.za about his job so far and some of the challenges he has faced as a young manager finding his way in South African football.

PSL.co.za: Four months into the job, are you satisfied with what you’ve done with these players?

Craig Rosslee (CR): “No, not entirely but I feel we’re getting there.

We would have obviously liked to have had a few more results go our way, but that’s the nature of football. We’re playing a lot more the way I want us to and starting to show some good signs. I think we’re heading in the right direction.”

PSL.co.za: How far would you say have you taken these players so far?

CR: “If I had to put a percentage on it, I would say we’re only realistically 60 percent on our way to where we need to be. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done, hence the reason why we’re putting in some additional shifts during this three week break. We’ve just got so much to do. There’s a lot of things from a technical, tactical and physical side that we’re working on. Mentally we’re not completely there yet too.”

PSL.co.za: There has been widespread praise for dramatic change at AmaZulu since you arrived. There’s a lot more structure now…just your thoughts on that?

CR: “The game has evolved a lot in recent times. Everyone is very organised, defenders are far more tactically aware; they’re stronger.

Teams are a lot more compact and even on the bigger pitches, there’s no space to play, so we have to utilise the field in its entirety.

We’ve been trying to do that and I think 50 per cent of the job is done if we’re organised. To get the style I want, the system is a starting point and formulates what I’m trying to achieve here. I want to play a brand of football that‘s entertaining not only to the spectators, but also to the players…they have to enjoy what they do.”

PSL.co.za: What has been your biggest challenge?

CR: “Everything is a challenge, but I think not scoring goals has tested us. I don’t really care who scores, I think we’ve had a good few games when we’ve missed from half-a-yard out. How that happens is beyond me, the ball flying straight over the net. We’ve created a lot, but just haven’t put the ball in the back of the net.

I think if anything, the players have probably tried too hard and tried to force the ball in the net. They just have to be a bit more composed and if you can do that it will allow you to be more clinical in the 18-yard area. But we’re starting to improve and I think when we do get it right, it could be a good night.”

PSL.co.za: You’re just five points off the top eight now. Is that within your sights?

CR: “The objective when I came in was to make sure we get out from where we were. We set a target of 35 to 36 points. But there’s still nine games left and a total of 27 points to play for. I think anything else from there will be a bonus.”