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Wealth of talent for selection
published: Wednesday | February 6, 2008
IMAGINE RICARDO Fuller starting on the bench, or Marlon King, an Ian 'Pepe' Goodison, a Jermaine Hue, or even Luton Shelton.
Actually, the list of players lined up in the 24-member squad - 13 of them overseas-based with solid international and professional experience - is longer. And 22 of them grew up on football in the land of wood and water.
Though profound, these are some of the choices facing Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical director René Simoes ahead of this evening's international trial match against Costa Rica at The Office.
As awkward as his position might seem at this juncture, and in the first match on his second tour of duty, it's the type of thing all coaches yearn for - to have quality talent at their disposal.
It adds fodder to the well-entrenched football sentiment that any good team is as good as its bench and, in a real way, the increasing ability to export talent is a clear indication of the country's advancement in the sport.
New leadership, style, approach and impending qualification have forced changes that have injected life and vibe into the product spearheaded by the Boyz, a vast majority of whom are now being cultured in advanced football settings and creating the welcome job of giving Simoes selection headaches.
Some competition
Between the sticks, former Wadadah custodian Donovan Ricketts provides some relief with probably the easiest pick over relatively new senior national goalies from Portmore United and Harbour View, giant Duwayne Kerr and Dwayne Miller, respectively.
Ricketts, the regular for years, had until recently represented Bradford City in English League Two but has problems securing a work permit for a transfer to Championship Division outfit Queen's Park Rangers.
There is some amount of competition going on places in the flat back four that the team has played for year Simoes largely operated with five at the back during his first tenure.
During that time, one of his most trusted soldiers was Goodison and some amount of thought always has to be accorded to the defensive strongman, a real warrior who leaves everything on the pitch.
In Office duties against lower-class opposition nearly two months ago, he appeared to have lost a step and that might work against him.
Other options
The other options are Shavar Thomas, Damion 'Stew Peas' Stewart, Ricardo Gardner, Tyrone Marshall, Adrian Reid, Christopher Harvey, Omar Daley, Demar Phillips and newcomer Lance Laing. Half of them also double as midfield options.
Gardner, who represents English premier's Bolton Wanderers, is the captain. There is no question over whether he will play, but given his superior experience, I'd play him at left back.
But look out for the teenage prodigy from Gardner's Harbour View crib named Laing. A big left and head above his years advertise the youngster as one for the future.
Thomas, who made his debut in the team at 20 before being overlooked - rather mind-boggling - for nearly four years, has always been a good reader of the game, has improved his overall game and pace, while remaining a pro.
In the two November internationals, he displayed his worth and gets the automatic central defensive pick. Harvey has real speed, controls the ball better than many of the others and is a real dead-ball scoring threat. That's enough to win the other central position.
Omar Daley's more composed demeanour, especially while defending, and natural athletic abilities to sprint up and down the flank where he generally delivers good crosses and secures the right back slot.
The near-similar attacking pace with more flair from Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who also operates on the right, and Demar Phillips on the left, contributes to thoughts governing the full back selections and, automatically, the attacking flank midfielders. Phillips, in particular, has tremendous work rate.
Classy Jermaine Hue only needs to remember his World and Gold Cup performances against the top CONCACAF teams. If he uses that to motivate performances at similar levels, then he can force Simoes to rethink the playing time he now appears likely to share with Wolry Wolfe, Nicholy Finlayson and Jason Morrison.
For the central midfield roles, cool and experienced Tyrone Marshall is boss in every aspect, head and shoulder above. That adds not onl but the type of level-headed approach to cool things down in the engine room and make the team function properly. That is one spot.
More-the-merrier scenario
One good turn leads to another. Hard-kicking ball-winner Rudolf Austin has put in two, including a scoring performance in November and holds on to the other spot ahead of Portmore teammate Ricardo Cousins, who looks set to become a factor in the near future, especially with his scoring prowess as a central.
Roen Nelson could make his way off the bench with only a four-man frontal force named and it wouldn't surprise much which duo among Shelton, King or Fuller starts.
Fuller is scoring probably as best as he has done since moving overseas and his creative abilities should give him a start with King, leaving Shelton to wreak havoc in a second-half run against tiring defenders for no less than 40 minutes.
Imagine, the starting team could be just that. It's not my headache, but I guess Simoes won't mind in this more-the-merrier scenario.
audley.boyd@gleanerjm.com
published: Wednesday | February 6, 2008
IMAGINE RICARDO Fuller starting on the bench, or Marlon King, an Ian 'Pepe' Goodison, a Jermaine Hue, or even Luton Shelton.
Actually, the list of players lined up in the 24-member squad - 13 of them overseas-based with solid international and professional experience - is longer. And 22 of them grew up on football in the land of wood and water.
Though profound, these are some of the choices facing Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) technical director René Simoes ahead of this evening's international trial match against Costa Rica at The Office.
As awkward as his position might seem at this juncture, and in the first match on his second tour of duty, it's the type of thing all coaches yearn for - to have quality talent at their disposal.
It adds fodder to the well-entrenched football sentiment that any good team is as good as its bench and, in a real way, the increasing ability to export talent is a clear indication of the country's advancement in the sport.
New leadership, style, approach and impending qualification have forced changes that have injected life and vibe into the product spearheaded by the Boyz, a vast majority of whom are now being cultured in advanced football settings and creating the welcome job of giving Simoes selection headaches.
Some competition
Between the sticks, former Wadadah custodian Donovan Ricketts provides some relief with probably the easiest pick over relatively new senior national goalies from Portmore United and Harbour View, giant Duwayne Kerr and Dwayne Miller, respectively.
Ricketts, the regular for years, had until recently represented Bradford City in English League Two but has problems securing a work permit for a transfer to Championship Division outfit Queen's Park Rangers.
There is some amount of competition going on places in the flat back four that the team has played for year Simoes largely operated with five at the back during his first tenure.
During that time, one of his most trusted soldiers was Goodison and some amount of thought always has to be accorded to the defensive strongman, a real warrior who leaves everything on the pitch.
In Office duties against lower-class opposition nearly two months ago, he appeared to have lost a step and that might work against him.
Other options
The other options are Shavar Thomas, Damion 'Stew Peas' Stewart, Ricardo Gardner, Tyrone Marshall, Adrian Reid, Christopher Harvey, Omar Daley, Demar Phillips and newcomer Lance Laing. Half of them also double as midfield options.
Gardner, who represents English premier's Bolton Wanderers, is the captain. There is no question over whether he will play, but given his superior experience, I'd play him at left back.
But look out for the teenage prodigy from Gardner's Harbour View crib named Laing. A big left and head above his years advertise the youngster as one for the future.
Thomas, who made his debut in the team at 20 before being overlooked - rather mind-boggling - for nearly four years, has always been a good reader of the game, has improved his overall game and pace, while remaining a pro.
In the two November internationals, he displayed his worth and gets the automatic central defensive pick. Harvey has real speed, controls the ball better than many of the others and is a real dead-ball scoring threat. That's enough to win the other central position.
Omar Daley's more composed demeanour, especially while defending, and natural athletic abilities to sprint up and down the flank where he generally delivers good crosses and secures the right back slot.
The near-similar attacking pace with more flair from Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who also operates on the right, and Demar Phillips on the left, contributes to thoughts governing the full back selections and, automatically, the attacking flank midfielders. Phillips, in particular, has tremendous work rate.
Classy Jermaine Hue only needs to remember his World and Gold Cup performances against the top CONCACAF teams. If he uses that to motivate performances at similar levels, then he can force Simoes to rethink the playing time he now appears likely to share with Wolry Wolfe, Nicholy Finlayson and Jason Morrison.
For the central midfield roles, cool and experienced Tyrone Marshall is boss in every aspect, head and shoulder above. That adds not onl but the type of level-headed approach to cool things down in the engine room and make the team function properly. That is one spot.
More-the-merrier scenario
One good turn leads to another. Hard-kicking ball-winner Rudolf Austin has put in two, including a scoring performance in November and holds on to the other spot ahead of Portmore teammate Ricardo Cousins, who looks set to become a factor in the near future, especially with his scoring prowess as a central.
Roen Nelson could make his way off the bench with only a four-man frontal force named and it wouldn't surprise much which duo among Shelton, King or Fuller starts.
Fuller is scoring probably as best as he has done since moving overseas and his creative abilities should give him a start with King, leaving Shelton to wreak havoc in a second-half run against tiring defenders for no less than 40 minutes.
Imagine, the starting team could be just that. It's not my headache, but I guess Simoes won't mind in this more-the-merrier scenario.
audley.boyd@gleanerjm.com