With two defeats from two‚ Kaizer Chiefs risk putting themselves under pressure should they not turn things around quickly. Following on a trophyless 2015-16 season‚ where a fifth-place league finish was well below accepted standards‚ especially having been champions‚ runners-up and champions in the previous three seasons‚ Chiefs coach Steve Komphela knows the pressure is on.Disconcertingly‚ a restructured Chiefs squad – that saw 17 clearouts and more than 10 signings – who were supposed to look fresh and revitalized‚ have instead appeared flat.They were muscled out 2-1 by an aggressive and physical Bidvest Wits at Bidvest Stadium in their league opener‚ then could not contain new side Cape Town City’s enthusiasm in a 1-0 MTN8 quarterfinal defeat at Cape Town Stadium. Here are five key areas Times Media Digital has identified that Komphela could address to reignite his side’s spark as they prepare to face Platinum Stars at FNB Stadium on Wednesday night:1. Get Bernard Parker back on form‚ and playing in the right positionParker is perhaps the key player to getting Amakhosi back on song as a team. Viewed as the country’s most valued match winner when on form by coaches such as Gavin Hunt and Muhsin Ertugral‚ his regression over the past year has been the biggest factor in Chiefs’ attack becoming less coordinated and formidable.Komphela might have seen in his first game of the season that Parker is not a centre-forward. The coach shouldn’t have needed reminding of this‚ though‚ because there was plenty of evidence of that last season.Parker was switched back to second striker behind Lewis Macha against Cape Town City. He needs to remain there and be told that will be his role‚ and that he’s expected to be the general pulling the strings there‚ the essential link in Amakhosi’s attack‚ the runner and playmaker from between the lines‚ arriving late to chip in with goals when he can.That’s when Bernard Parker can be Bernard Parker.2. Bring in the energy and physical presence of Sibusiso Khumalo at left-backTsepo Masilela is a South African football legend. He’s the best left-back to have emerged in SA since David Nyathi.He had a vintage 2014-15 as a key player in Chiefs winning a league and cup double – earning him the club’s Player’s Player of the Season award from his teammates.Even last season‚ though‚ it seemed evident the player’s injury-plagued career was finally catching up to him. He’s looked short of pace at the beginning of this campaign.Sibusiso Khumalo has been brought in as classy cover for Masilela. He has energy‚ dynamism and pace up and down the left flank‚ and the sort of forcefulness there that a flat Chiefs could really do with right now.3. Find the right back four combinationMulomowandau Mathoho’s return from injury will help no end. Komphela will need to establish who best to partner with ‘Tower’.Lorenzo Gordinho has shown the guts and determination to rise to the occasion when called on in a difficult period for Amakhosi in defence‚ where a player like Siyanda Xulu has just not lived up to expectation since returning from Russia.Ramahlwe Mphahlele would appear the best option‚ though‚ given his mobility‚ solidity‚ and leadership skills gained captaining Mamelodi Sundowns to last season’s double – not to mention winning mentality.But should Mphahlele go to his best position at right-back‚ and displace Kgotso Moleko‚ leaving Gordinho in the middle? This is the puzzle in defence that Komphela must solve.That it is such a complex one suggests that with all their signings and restructuring‚ Chiefs are still short of one or two top-class defenders.4. Get tough with his playersKomphela gives the impression of having been too much of a nice guy with his players so far. And they have let the coach down too often with some sub-par performances.Surely now‚ with the pressure on‚ and the potential of another season spent on the back foot should Amakhosi not manage to get off to a good start‚ it is time to get a bit harder.Some hairdryer treatment in the change-room seems sure to go a long way.5. Keep tactics simpleKomphela just seems to have overcomplicated things too often at Chiefs. He achieved top six and top eight results with teams like Free State Stars and Maritzburg United – where the coach had infinitely less resources – playing simple‚ effective football.Of course everyone wants to see Chiefs play attractive‚ pressing‚ possession football. But first the hard graft has to be done in the areas of the field where it matters. - TMG Digital..