The first part of the problem is us the people of Trinidad & Tobago. We have this belief that we don't have to earn things, that we're entitled to greatness because of some inherent talent. Whatever Latas shortcomings as a coach the real problem, that emotion is blocking us from seeing, is that our local football is not good enough. A national coach cannot be expected to make players something that they are not. Without our European pros we are significantly weaker and that should be a worrying thing. It's easy to blame Latas or Lincoln Phillips but who coaching at U-14 or U-17 level? What are they doing there? What are the skills, physical, mental or social, our players getting there? Look at our professional league, what standard are we seeing there? We are relying on the handful or so individuals who take their gifts a little beyond that of the norm and then we're surprised when the norm can't get it done.
Our football is of a very poor standard, we don't need a foreigner to come and tell us that. We might even resent the foreigner for saying it. Look at Mexico, Costa Rica or the US. Strong local leagues and strong national teams. Look at the better nations in Europe or South America. Strong local leagues, strong national teams. We can put 10 more experienced local coaches around Latas (La Forest), we can spend triple the salary on a foreigner (who can't win with a local based unit), but unless we understand and address the state of the game locally we'll continue the merry-go-round of coaches and the roller coaster of emotions inconsistency and mediocrity bring.