Haunted by the spectre of relegation, Ħamrun Spartans are pinning their hopes on new coach Stefan Sultana to turn their fortunes around, starting with today’s game against Sliema Wanderers at the Tedesco Stadium (kick-off 16:15).

Sultana’s standing as one of the most decorated players in the history of Ħamrun Spartans will ensure that he commands instant respect from his squad but the former Malta forward knows that his reputation alone will count for nothing if his players fail to get their act together after a series of uninspired performances left them second from bottom.

Jeered by their own fans after their 2-0 defeat to Mqabba last weekend, the Spartans players are acutely aware that they must show more focus and tactical discipline if they are to end their negative run and give Sultana a winning debut.

“Our immediate aim is to gain as many points as possible from our remaining three games of the first phase,” Sultana told The Times.

“We need to improve our tally as that would enable us to start the second part of the championship in a better position.”

Sultana took charge of his first training session on Tuesday after the Spartans committee confirmed him as the successor to Jesmond Zammit who stepped down after the loss to Mqabba.

A new coach, especially one who is synonymous with the club’s golden period, instils fresh hope among fans and players alike.

This renewed enthusiasm usually inspires the players to greater efforts and Sultana is hoping that his appointment will bring long-term improvement in the team’s fortunes.

“I hope to turn things around but the positive vibe created by a coaching change usually doesn’t last long,” Sultana said. “It’s down to the coach to sustain that effect. You have to show that you know where you want to go from here. Results don’t come automatically but it’s important to demonstrate that you have the competence to do the job.”

Amid the team’s dismal run, there have been suggestions that the Ħamrun players are not showing enough commitment but Sultana declared himself satisfied with the squad’s attitude in his first few training sessions.

“The players’ attitude has been good,” Sultana observed. “I’ve told the players to forget past results... we’re starting from scratch.”

Apart from long-term injury absentee Roderick Fenech, Sultana has no selection problems.

Although much of the focus will be on Sultana and the performance of his team this afternoon, Sliema Wanderers will be fully concentrated on their own game, knowing that victory today would virtually secure them a coveted place in the Championship Pool.

Sliema have lost only three games but 10 draws in 19 matches have hampered their quest for a top-six finish.

Still, the Blues have done well to stay in the hunt for the Championship Pool as injuries and player changes have complicated matters for coach Danilo Doncic.

This was evident last week as the Blues had no fewer than six players missing but they still collected a point from their clash with relegation strugglers Tarxien Rainbows.

Yesterday, Sliema finalised the signing of Cameroonian striker Anicet Eyenga who initially joined the club on a trial basis. Eyenga, 25, played for Vietnamese club Hai Phong last season.

Doncic is banking on Eyenga to boost his team’s firepower after the Blues lost Jean Pierre Mifsud Triganza and Jorge to Birkirkara last month.

Still, Sliema’s resources are restricted by suspensions and injuries as Josef Mifsud and Clifford Gatt Baldacchino received a one-match ban yesterday and Bulgarian winger Danail Mitev, who has already served a two-match suspension for his dismissal against Balzan Youths, was hit with an additional one-match ban for kicking the advertising boards during the same match.

Ryan Grech (hamstring) and Andrew Decesare (knee) are sidelined with injuries while Beppe Muscat, Mark Scerri and Steve Bezzina were due to undergo fitness tests yesterday evening.

First round: Ħamrun vs Sliema 4-2.

Floriana acquire Brazilian forward, Failla suspended for Hibs

Mqabba vs Qormi (today at 14.00, Tedesco Stadium).

With six defeats in their last seven games, Qormi must win this match to revive their flailing Championship Pool bid.

Mqabba are virtually out of the running for a top-six place but their eighth position in the table, only three points behind their impending opponents, attests to their remarkable progress this season.

Qormi coach Stephen Azzopardi is not expected to make many changes from the team that produced a battling display in a 2-0 loss to Hibs.

Wing-back Dino Cachia is still injured but otherwise Qormi are at full strength.

Mqabba come into this match in high spirits after their 2-0 win over Ħamrun Spartans, their first ever competitive victory against the former Malta champions.

Coach Clive Mizzi, who has been suffering from influenza this week, can’t bank on the reliable Branislav Timotic as the Serbian centre-half received a one-match ban yesterday.

Rene Duca is back for Mqabba after returning from overseas.

First round: Mqabba vs Qormi 1-0.

Balzan Youths vs Floriana (tomorrow at 14.00, Hibs Stadium).

Balzan Youths and Floriana will be looking to bounce back after their defeats to Birkirkara (0-4) and Mosta (1-2) respectively.

The Greens find themselves under pressure to return to winning ways in order to keep Valletta and Hibs within sight while Balzan know that another defeat would put a dent on their Championship Pool chances.

Ivan Zammit, the Balzan coach, must make do without Jonathan Francica and Pedrinho, both suspended, but, on the positive side, experienced players Renie Forace and Jamie Pace are set to return after recovering from injuries.

Roderick Farrugia is unlikely to start as he’s not 100 per cent fit.

The slip-up to Mosta brought an end to Floriana’s nine-match positive run. In the aftermath of Saturday’s game, it emerged that midfielder Christian Cassar had walked out on the team after learning that he had been left out of the starting formation. Cassar has been suspended for 28 days by Floriana and has since made a public apology.

Midfielder Thomas Paris was suspended for one game yesterday for four yellow cards.

Floriana coach Michael Woods is expected to have a new player in his squad today after the club completed the registration of Brazilian striker Alandson Jansen da Silva.

Alandson, 23, also has a Belgian passport.

Togo defender Eric Akoto is available after seeing out his two-match ban.

First round: Balzan vs Floriana 1-3.

Hibs vs Mosta (tomorrow at 16.00, Hibs Stadium).

With Valletta taking on Birkirkara on Sunday, Hibs have a chance to turn up the heat on the leaders when they face Mosta.

A win for the Paolites would trim their gap on the Citizens to one point before the latter’s tough clash with the Stripes.

Clayton Failla’s one-match suspension means that Hibs coach Mark Miller can’t field the same team that beat Qormi last week.

Edward Herrera is doubtful after twisting his ankle while Ryan Camilleri is still recuperating from knee surgery.

Defender Aaron Xuereb is set to return after recovering from an eye injury and Adrian Pulis has a chance of making the squad as he is close to completing his rehab from a long-term hamstring problem.

Although they start as favourites, Hibs will be wary of Mosta after the Blues took 15 points from their last eight matches.

Coach Steve D’Amato is facing up to the prospect of having six players missing for tomorrow’s game.

Ian Zammit and Adrian Borg are suspended, Dyson Falzon is sidelined after fracturing two ribs and Kurt Magro, Florent Raimy and Firaz Aboulezz were down with flu during the week.

First round: Hibs vs Mosta 2-0.

Playing On Sunday

National Stadium: 14.00 Marsaxlokk vs Tarxien; 16.00 Birkirkara vs Valletta.

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