FRONT-RUNNER: Santos will be depending on striker Eleazar Rodgers when they take on Supersport United at Atteridgeville tonight Picture: GALLO IMAGES

'Santos pose a whole lot of different problems for us'

Gavin Hunt's league champions ousted Orlando Pirates from the top spot the two clubs shared with a 3-0 triumph on Wednesday.

Pirates have slipped to third place as a result of that setback.

Tonight, United face Santos, who have moved into second place on the log, three points behind Hunt's men.

On Saturday night, Supersport will take on fourth-placed Wits at Milpark, the university team's home ground, in Braamfontein.

Hunt said yesterday that Santos presented different problems to those experienced last week.

"We did not play well against Pirates," said Hunt, though his team won despite having only 10 men in the second half after Tsietsi Mahoa was sent off.

"I was delighted with the result, but Santos pose a whole lot of different problems for us."

Of the three tough matches in a row, Hunt said his team was "up for the challenge".

Santos, under coach Boebie Solomons, are buzzing this season and have also recently beaten Pirates.

It was a 1-0 upset win that ended Pirates' unbeaten run in the league this season.

"If Santos come to play and attack, and go for three points, that will suit me. If they play as they did against Pirates, and try to catch us on the counter-attack, they could frustrate us," said Hunt.

"I hope they will play an open game, which they are more than capable of doing," said Hunt.

But Solomons emphasised that he was not about to tinker with his successful tactics by opening up away from home.

"Our tactics worked perfectly against Pirates," said Solomons.

"There is no reason to change them. I rate Gavin highly, as I do his team - you do not become champions for two seasons in succession for nothing.

"So we will go the same route as we did against Pirates."

Solomons said he would be happy to take a point away from home and explained: "An away point this season is like gold, and a draw against the champions would suit me.

"But it is early days and we are only a third of the way through the season. We know our limitations and my goal this season is to finish in the top eight."

Last season, Santos ended a disappointing 10th, but they have taken on a new lease of life under Solomons.

Solomons has three injured players and will bank on his strikers, Phikolethu Spelman and Eleazar Rodgers, and attacking midfielders Graham King and Romano Scott, getting behind the United defence.

But United have strikers Glen Salmons, Anthony Laffor and flying winger Daine Klate in top form and the trio pose the biggest threat to Santos.