I would like to extent a big thank you to all our players and the coaching staff on your efforts and showing at the 2015 Gold Cup which has placed T&T firmly back onto the football map as serious 2018 World Cup qualification contenders.
Here are the things that I believe we need to work on if we want to be one of the top 3 teams in CONCACAF and to earn one of the 3 automatic spots to qualify for the 2018 World Cup:-
1. Ball Possession (to help preserve energy so we can run more efficiently for 90 minutes). We also have the habit of losing the ball to our opponents too regularly and easily on our Goal kicks (from the keeper) and throw-ins (from the players). Great ball control and ball possession needs to become one of our trade marks.
2. Player Fitness (ability to run for 90 minutes in all conditions)
3. Better and more frequent crosses into the box for Kenwyne and other players to take advantage of against shorter teams.
4. Scoring from corners kicks and set pieces (the last goal against Mexico is an example of what we should be able to do more regularly even when missiles are being thrown on the pitch)
5. Taking penalty kicks under pressure (difficult to teach in training but once we have plenty games against quality opponents we will get a chance to practice taking them in real game pressure situations).
6. Regular games against quality opponents on all FIFA dates.
7. Coaching staff and players need to be paid properly and on time and to generally be better taken care of whenever they are representing T&T with our long term goals in mind.
Once again thanks to SH and his staff and our players for a great effort for this 2015 Gold Cup.
Now onto preparing for World Cup qualification and working on all the points listed above.
If anyone wishes to add to the list please do but let’s be proud of our team's performance when they were initially written-off by most before the start of the 2015 Gold Cup.