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Looks like Paul Walker is reading our posts, and him need fi give credit to the forum
The way we play defense, we will struggle big time fi advance to the Hex.
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Big victory, no story: Reggae Boyz in need of sound defenders
published: Friday | June 20, 2008
THE Reggae Boyz have successfully made their way past the first phase of World Cup qualification and they have done so in emphatic fashion.
Before the euphoria of high scorelines and the beauty of trampling on one of our neighbours blind us to the truth, let us analyse the performance of our Reggae Boyz.
Please be reminded, the victory over The Bahamas was almost a done deal even before the opening whistle. Anybody, who pays attention to football in the region, is aware that the football programme in The Bahamas is not yet organised enough to pose any serious threat to the supposed dominance of Jamaica over the Caribbean.
nothing different
What is different between the so-so performances of the team a few weeks ago and the pace and skill they displayed against The Bahamas?
Nothing.
I say the team is the same team it was a few weeks ago and, save some confidence from their outings against The Bahamas, they will have just as tough a time getting out of the next phase of qualification as before.
It is important to note that the opponents the Jamaicans had to deal with were almost non-existent. The few feeble attacks they managed to muster were quickly snuffed out by superior physicality, for want of a better word. The Jamaicans never had to dig deep and show what they are made of.
Could afford mistakes
In fact, the team could afford to abandon the idea of a formation and throw real numbers into attack, without much fear of being hurt for their lack of organisation.
This can't be done when they play the more organised teams of Canada, Honduras and Mexico.
While the team was faster and stronger than The Bahamas, it will have none of those advantages against better teams. They will have to depend on a better plan, better organisation and a little luck.
Up front, the combination of Ricardo Fuller and Marlon King can be devastating. If Luton Shelton finds his feet, his pace, coming off the bench, can also be quite deadly.
The attacking play of Demar Phillips has been a breath of fresh air but the work rate of Andy Williams is in question. He passes the ball well and can be a threat but, even against The Bahamas, he seemed unimpressive. That hole in the midfield needs to be filled.
Debatable formation
The question of using two central midfielders is something to debate. I don't have a problem with it and I don't have a big problem with using the players they have been utilising.
Rudolph Austin has been a real find and he should have a long career with the national team if he continues the way he has been playing.
Evon Taylor also seems to be getting better. My initial estimation of him wasn't a good one but I'll have to wait to see. I wish I didn't have to though, since it is quite late in the day.
Where I am really worried is in the organisation at the back. Tyrone Marshall and Ricardo Gardner as the flank defenders are a real plus. However, the combination of Jermaine Taylor and Ian Goodison, or Goodison and anybody, is worrisome at best.
While the stalwart looked fine against the minnows, I don't believe his experience will make up for his obvious lack of pace against quicker teams with attackers, who are also experienced at their trade. He'll be in trouble.
The other choices, Claude Davis and Damion Stewart, are also quite slow and don't give me much faith. The use of the younger, fitter Adrian Reid has lifted my spirits a little but I'm still not satisfied and, if there is no improvement, I'm afraid the prognosis isn't good.
Send feedback to Paul-Andre.Walker@gleanerjm.com.
The way we play defense, we will struggle big time fi advance to the Hex.
----------
Big victory, no story: Reggae Boyz in need of sound defenders
published: Friday | June 20, 2008
THE Reggae Boyz have successfully made their way past the first phase of World Cup qualification and they have done so in emphatic fashion.
Before the euphoria of high scorelines and the beauty of trampling on one of our neighbours blind us to the truth, let us analyse the performance of our Reggae Boyz.
Please be reminded, the victory over The Bahamas was almost a done deal even before the opening whistle. Anybody, who pays attention to football in the region, is aware that the football programme in The Bahamas is not yet organised enough to pose any serious threat to the supposed dominance of Jamaica over the Caribbean.
nothing different
What is different between the so-so performances of the team a few weeks ago and the pace and skill they displayed against The Bahamas?
Nothing.
I say the team is the same team it was a few weeks ago and, save some confidence from their outings against The Bahamas, they will have just as tough a time getting out of the next phase of qualification as before.
It is important to note that the opponents the Jamaicans had to deal with were almost non-existent. The few feeble attacks they managed to muster were quickly snuffed out by superior physicality, for want of a better word. The Jamaicans never had to dig deep and show what they are made of.
Could afford mistakes
In fact, the team could afford to abandon the idea of a formation and throw real numbers into attack, without much fear of being hurt for their lack of organisation.
This can't be done when they play the more organised teams of Canada, Honduras and Mexico.
While the team was faster and stronger than The Bahamas, it will have none of those advantages against better teams. They will have to depend on a better plan, better organisation and a little luck.
Up front, the combination of Ricardo Fuller and Marlon King can be devastating. If Luton Shelton finds his feet, his pace, coming off the bench, can also be quite deadly.
The attacking play of Demar Phillips has been a breath of fresh air but the work rate of Andy Williams is in question. He passes the ball well and can be a threat but, even against The Bahamas, he seemed unimpressive. That hole in the midfield needs to be filled.
Debatable formation
The question of using two central midfielders is something to debate. I don't have a problem with it and I don't have a big problem with using the players they have been utilising.
Rudolph Austin has been a real find and he should have a long career with the national team if he continues the way he has been playing.
Evon Taylor also seems to be getting better. My initial estimation of him wasn't a good one but I'll have to wait to see. I wish I didn't have to though, since it is quite late in the day.
Where I am really worried is in the organisation at the back. Tyrone Marshall and Ricardo Gardner as the flank defenders are a real plus. However, the combination of Jermaine Taylor and Ian Goodison, or Goodison and anybody, is worrisome at best.
While the stalwart looked fine against the minnows, I don't believe his experience will make up for his obvious lack of pace against quicker teams with attackers, who are also experienced at their trade. He'll be in trouble.
The other choices, Claude Davis and Damion Stewart, are also quite slow and don't give me much faith. The use of the younger, fitter Adrian Reid has lifted my spirits a little but I'm still not satisfied and, if there is no improvement, I'm afraid the prognosis isn't good.
Send feedback to Paul-Andre.Walker@gleanerjm.com.
SIMOES...expects tough semi-final round against Canada, Mexico and Honduras 
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