I know I will take some flack for this, but I am a Tobagonian, and we have thick skin. I still cannot call for the firing of Pacho, simply because he did not have the tools to work with, especially as it relates to our defense. In T&T we have placed too much emphasis on our offense, with very little placed on defence.
Nobody wants to be a defender, so we have always struggled in that area. We have to always use what we have. Other teams in the region have done much more in that area except us. We talk about who doing what in the UK, and we use that as some sort of indication that we will dominate in Concacaf - well think again. Most of his experimenting was with our defense, because as other coaches have known we are always weak never any depth etc, etc.
We cannot expect to enter these type of competitions without significant depth in all positions. We are inundated with midfielders and strikers, to the point where it has to be a major headache for our coaching staff come game day.
Men calling for Cyd, but he previous club don't want him. Pacho still experimenting with we defense, do you believe he enjoy doing this, or is it a case of he have no choice? Who's fault is this?
So we fire the coach, how is that going to help our defense. Who will take over Russell? Who will Russell bring in to bolster the defense Cyd, Avery, Dog - Who? There is no one. This is our fate.
My hope is that the powers that be recognize that if we do not make it (and I am still very optimistic), that there must be a much greater coordination between all stakeholders at all levels to make sure that we produce the type of players that will allow us to have much greater depth at all position, so that national team selection must become a major task for any coach.
We can call for whoever we want, but at the end of the day we must admit to ourselves that we are deficient in defense, and it is no fault of our coaching staff. Start training yuh kids to defend. Goals may win games, but defenders save games.
Also, when I looked at the numbers we are still in with a very good chance, so as I said before, I am not throwing in the towel as yet. We are going to SA. GO T&T
PS: Most here know that I am no Stern John fan, but I was happy with his performance last night. He did well, and based on his efforts last night should be starting next game. Go T&T