Reggae Boyz injuries a cause for concern

THERE IS much cause for concern among local football coaches about missing regulars to the Reggae Boyz squad for their upcoming Concacaf World Cup qualifying games against Bermuda and Trinidad and Tobago.

Jamaica will be without reliable goalkeepers Andre Blake and Shaquan Davis; defenders Ethan Pinocck, Di’shon Bernard and Amari’i Bell; midfielders Joel Latibeaudierre, Bobby Reid; and winger Leon Bailey.

Although Jamaica still go into the games as favourites, former national assistant coach Bradley Stewart and experienced former national youth coach Donovan Duckie believe the drastic shakeup in the first team will create some challenges over the two matches.

Veteran coach Stewart believes that not having the best players available is a problem within itself, but cautioned also that the players coming in might not have enough time to properly integrate into what the coaching staff demand.

“If you don’t have your best team, you are going to struggle. And for some basic reasons. There will be no understanding with the new people you are fitting into the team because of a lack of training together.

“So coordination is going to be a pie in the sky, because if you don’t train together you will not develop that cohesiveness that is required under tough conditions,” he said.

DOUBTS SURROUNDING TEAM

He noted also that what the team did at the Gold Cup has not inspired a lot of confidence in its ability, and that, automatically, there will be doubts surrounding a virtual second team.

“A second team is not going to be considered to be as good as the first team. The hope is that, if they are quality players, then struggling isn’t something that should be mentioned. But don’t expect us to be as efficient with the second-string players.

“We just have to hope that these kids are motivated to come and do their best, and that their best is enough,” he commented.

Nevertheless, he thinks there is still enough quality in the squad to see the team over the two matches.

“Those players (Demerai Gray, Renaldo Cephas, Shamar Nicholson, Matthew Hayden) are excellent players, and with the rest of players coming, the expectation is that we should do well.

“They have experience. They have had a long run with the national team. So it shouldn’t be too difficult to expect from those players, high-level performances.

“The problem will be with the rest of the players who have not been getting regular runs. But whilst it is that they are not at usual strength, I am expecting a win at all cost. But it’s going to be difficult,” he said.

He added that the loss of goalkeeper Blake will be the biggest of all, although Jahmali Waite and Davis, who is also out injured, have deputised with distinction at times during his absence.

“Playing with a new goalkeeper is always a challenge. Blake has consistently been in the goal.

“Goalkeepers are a special breed. Whilst that shotstopping ability is important, how you restart the game, how quickly you communicate with teammates, and how the team adjusts to survive are crucial.

“I am hoping that he [Waite] is playing on a regular basis and is ready to start. He is a top-line player and it is expected that he has the ability to see us through.”

Meanwhile, Chapelton Maroons coach Donovan Duckie said that while the Boyz will have the measure of Bermuda, Trinidad will be a much more difficult prospect.

He pointed to the countries’ eight meetings over the last two years, and the fact that Jamaica, missing so many big-name players, will put the advantage in Trinidad’s favour to get a result.

CONCERNS

“To play against Bermuda with our present squad, we should get through. What I am concerned about is that we have been in a partnership with Trinidad, who we have played multiple times in the last few years.

“I think Trinidad is saying to themselves, ‘we have them where we want’,” said Duckie.

“If they look at the players that are out, 90 per cent of the time if we have them we will beat Trinidad.

“Now with all the players coming in, it’s a different ball game in terms of matchups and the psychology.

“The psychological aspect for me would go in favour of Trinidad. Despite our league is better and our international players are playing in better-quality leagues, it will be more competitive than it would be if we had those people that are out.

“So I think it swings the balance in favour of Trinidad getting even a draw. The advantage we would have had to separate ourselves from them more comfortably, I don’t think it is there any more. So the game will be more competitive.”

Like Stewart, Duckie thinks Blake is the most significant loss.

“I think losing Andre Blake at the back is the biggest loss. Now we have to think about our core structure and strengths of the team.

“But Bell and Leon are two of our more creative players in breaking the line in the modern game. So those are big losses for us as well,” he said.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com