Ruud Krol is a man under pressure.

Orlando Pirates coach Ruud Krol is going to start the new season under a lot of pressure, not only from the fans, but from the management as well.

Ever since Krol joined the Bucs, the team has shown so much promise but they have failed to deliver the desired results. They are drifting in and out of form and that must be worrying. Pirates can play some breath-taking attacking and flowing football this weekend and play like complete amateurs the next.

Last season the team started well but the wheels came off  when the pressure started to mount. Honestly speaking, Pirates did not have enough depth in their squad last season, upfront especially.

Things have changed though this time around. The Buccaneers have much more depth, especially in midfield and upfront. The signing of players like Mike Mayambela, a skillful youngster from Celtic, Daine klaite from Supersport united, Clifford Ngobeni From the Urban warriors, as well as strikers Ezenwa Otorogu From Nigeria and Chiukepo Msowoya a Malawian international means that Pirates will have a stronger team this season. Add to that list a player like Tlou Segolela and you will see what I mean.

A stronger squad is good news for Krol, it means he will not struggle for suitable replacements should his regulers get injured, but it also raises expectations from the supporters side. They have been patient enough but the trophy drought is becoming too much for them to stomuch. Orlando Pirates fans are not the most patient bunch, Krol will need to deliver the results or risk losing his job. The rumours in the media about pirates talking to some coaches are not a good sign for the Dutch mentor.

Hopefully things will change for the better for Pirates this season. The coach has the material he needs to do well and there will be no excuses, otherwise we might see a new coach at the Bucs sooner than we expect.

There might be a small matter of trying to get an almost new squad to play together well as a team in a short  space of time though. If Krol can succeed to that, than all should be well at Pirates, maybe just than, his job will be safe.