The Team of Choice had rallied from a goal down in their Absa Premiership fixture at the Peter Mokaba Stadium as Judas Moseamedi’s 49th minute header cancelled out Ethan Sampson’s 44th minute opener.
But United were forced to leave Polokwane empty handed after the home side scored an 89th minute winner through Tshediso Patjie.
Amongst coach Eric’s issues was that he felt his men were unable to adapt according to the tactics employed by Baroka on the day.
“Average performance and when you play average, you’re going to get punished,” he said.
“We were looking to build up from the back, they were looking to apply a high press. But when you want to build up, you’ve got to show composure, you’ve got to show confidence, you’ve got to have movement, you’ve got to have support.
“We didn’t have that and yet we were still trying to force the build-up. And that was the only time they caused us problems and that’s where the goal comes from.
“And you explain that to the players, half way into the game that there’s no point building up, they (Baroka) are playing a high line.
“Rather look to go long, but we don’t want to change, we want to continue playing from the back and then we got punished.”
Having showed some improvement after the restart, it was disappointing for the Team of Choice that they were not able to at least claim a point.
“Second half we responded, we got the equaliser, I thought we were in control for most of the second half, and then…bad pass, we get caught on the counter, and you end up losing 2-1,” the Maritzburg tactician explained.
“But truth be told, we were average, and if you want to achieve things in this game you can’t be average.”
Coach Eric will now be looking for a positive response from his men as they take on a resurgent Cape Town City at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Friday night.
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