Messages

1

Football / Re: Anyone play Football Manager (suggest T&T legends!)

« on: May 20, 2021, 08:26:10 AM »

Haven't posted here for ages but noticed this thread.
Strangely playing FM21 right now! Agree this one of the best updates in years.

Do 'Journeyman saves' mainly now.
Currently managing in Israel 2nd Division. Took charge with 6 games left an save them from relegation.
New season, tried to sign some Trini's, Plaza, Sam & Da silva as they all were earning less than I could pay them.... only DaSilva wanted to come but for 'HALF!' my entire wage budget is only 8k a week  .Probably worried about the politics bit Garcia was here!
Did sign a Trini called Xavier Rajpaul (apparently a real player) from a Czech side. Man, dis fella giving me hell.
Didn't pick him for One game, ONE! and he want to leave, miss training once. As soon as he done that, Blam! Buss some knee ligaments and out for 3 months. Was my 4th best player 

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Football / Re: Does a strong league makes a strong national team.

« on: June 20, 2014, 04:25:49 PM »

IMHO England are generally not successful because the national side (since about 1998, 94 was a manager trying things he wasn't competent at) tends to play a significantly different style to what is the norm in the national league. This does not mean the players are not talented just that the players are not very versatile. Capello seemed to want an Italy Mk II. Hodgson went even more extreme at the Euros but was essentially using the same players. He made a significant change for this WC but looks like the players couldn't adapt effectively enough.

When I say style I don't meant formation BTW. Almost all the successful nations play a style similar to what is the norm in their leagues. The Dutch, Germans and Spanish are most noted among the European sides. Spain came a cropper because teams began to sus Tiki-Taka last season and only one of the big three (Who supply the bulk of the team) stuck with the 'possession football' game. The national side were a bit to overconfident or just blind to notice this and failed to tweak / adapt.

Just an opinion

3

Entertainment & Culture Discussion / Re: Game of Thrones

« on: June 11, 2014, 08:54:36 AM »

is my boy dat run dong an' hide in d room with d fatman gyal  ....but I like dat episode ....time for the usually subdued or disappointing finale.......d white taken dey time to reach d battle boy wais

Though the series doh follow the books 'to the letter' they have so far not deviated that much from the main arcs of the books. I think this should be one of the more shocking/gripping ep 10's. If things go to plan/order there should be at least two deaths of significant characters.

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Football / Re: Joseph Minala: Lazio respond to false age claims of teenager

« on: February 13, 2014, 09:47:58 AM »

Lazio might have to take legal action against me because that man face hard like Add Maths. He might not be 41 but I have a hard time believing he's close to being a teenager. 

This is partly his own fault; You should see some of the other photo's of him circulating the web - most taken from his own (now closed) facebook and instagram pages. The fella looking quite young in the photo above, looks even older in others.

Check the mirror gallery:  http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/meet-joseph-minala---17-year-old-3140299

Ah like his agent explanation for his aged look. Man say is due to his difficult upbringing 

5

Football / Re: Kenwyne Jones Thread

« on: February 12, 2014, 11:01:30 AM »

Allyuh feel we care about Zaha and whoever?  I don't. Jones is muh countryman and who I want to improve.

Wanting him to improve is great but you can't measure him differently than the team or system he plays within.  You can't single out his laziness while ignoring the other players because it may be reflective of the culture within that team environment.  You can analyze his performance and say it was shit while all others play shit too because then it was collective and not individual.  Then we wonder why whenever anybody mentions the site he pulls away and want nothing to do with it?

I agree Cardiff's team as a whole (not just Jones) aren't performing - thats pretty obivious. However I disagree with your reasons for why we should'nt make negative comments on his current performances. Happens all the time - what makes Jones get ah pass? But forget about me, what KJ and all who cant see anything wrong with his recent play should be concerned about are what his current club and their fans think.

I dont think many of the Fans of Sunderland, Stoke and a small but growing number of cardiff fans agree with your assessment either.

Also I don't think this site or members of this site should be concerned if KJ dosent like comments made about him on here. This aint his Fan site!

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Football / Re: Kenwyne Jones Thread

« on: February 11, 2014, 03:45:27 PM »

I can't make excuses for this man anymore... giving the ball away so easily, putting wide open headers right at the goal keeper, and now the crowd is groaning for his "running."
I'm trying my best to stay optimistic but maybe he is just lazy... 

What can I say...but agree  . That effort tonight was so frustrating to watch. He's lost something and for the vast majority of all his three cardiff games his overall effort has been poor. When he works hard its so obvious as is the results = largely positive. Sadly that is the exception rather than the norm.

Ah dont like bashin him but he is either unfit, demotivated or as you said just plain lazy. Kenwyne better improve soon or them Cardiff supporters will be hatin on him just like the Sunderland and Stoke fans.

7

Football / Re: Where are they now?

« on: February 11, 2014, 06:20:10 AM »

What happen with Justin Fojo? Not heard anything bout him since he was at the PR Islanders.

Kevin Austin currently coaches for / runs the Sheffield Branch of the Active Soccer coaching school. Retired from playing after the 2011-12 season. Was a Boston Utd.

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Football / Re: Happy Aniversary Soca Warriors..TnT

« on: November 20, 2013, 01:55:25 PM »

Congo - you like that word myopic man. Not disputin the financial mismanagement in T&T, but If T&T got the kind of cash Iceland gets from NATO and the US gov't (per head of population) T&T would be a different place as well.

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Football / Re: Happy Aniversary Soca Warriors..TnT

« on: November 20, 2013, 01:48:52 PM »

Trinidad and tobagos troubles dont stop kids in iceland being upset man. Its not about money anyhow but about money well spent 

You miss the point. We tried to qualify multiple times for the world cup and got reasonably close on a fair few occasions, we were even successful with less resources and an arguably harder qualification route than Iceland have ever had. But despite of that, I doubt people in Iceland ever have or ever would shed a tear for our failures....I venture they couldn't give a Sh*t.

Iceland's ultimately unsuccessful run for Brazil was planned for so it is about money, Iceland's current talent pool did not appear by magic..regardless of sensible spending you still need resources to sustain development. My sympathies lie with nation's worse off than T&T. Zambia under our old coach Porterfield come to mind...that was a true heartbreaker.

Sorry for goin off thread. Happy anniversary warriors, things looking up for the future. If we keep this progression going - who knows we could be the smallest nation to qualify twice fuh the big show.

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Football / Re: Happy Aniversary Soca Warriors..TnT

« on: November 20, 2013, 09:56:48 AM »

Think about the poor Icelanders, who could have felt like you guys did in 2006

No sympathy, they may be smaller but despite their failure they are treated with much more respect within their confederation than T&T is is within Concacaf (even ignoring the Warner effect). Also unlike us this was Iceland's first shot genuine shot at qualification, we have had three and have battled through to the final group on 2/3 other occasions and I garauntee they threw more money at this attempt than T&T has ever done.

Outside of T&T the only time our 74 failure was widely discussed was during and post the Strike squads run for the 90 world cup and the rest of the world was only interested in that run due to our opponents at the time (USA) and their circumstances.

As a football nation, Iceland has ah long way to go to experience the High's and low's T&T has experienced over the past 40+ years. Baharain and a number of African nations have had harder luck. I can't sympathise with Baharain either as they had millions of dollars of investment poured into what they considered to be a sound development programme.

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Football / Re: Nick DeLeon declines T&T call-up.

« on: November 16, 2013, 04:05:42 AM »

Congo - yuh wrong! the ones I can recall Owen Hargreaves, Wilfred Zaha, Raheem Sterling are all born outside the UK but have played for the Full MNT within the past decade I'm sure there are more.

And what is wrong with someone feeling there should be a different standard when considering for national selection? I don't think he ever said everyone else is idiots only my opinion makes sense. He clearly said it was his personal opinion. However I do agree that Deleon hasn't really been dismissive of T&T and we already set ah precedent with Hoyte, Shaka, Zamora, J'lloyod etc .... they say no first time but we keep coming back. I have said enough about Zamora so I say no more on this topic.

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Football / Re: Stern John arrested for breaching curfew

« on: November 08, 2013, 06:09:55 AM »

I'm wondering if the $500 is more like compensation due to the drawn out proceedings; ? for lost earnings or wasted time in court when they were only doing their job and John and his colleagues could have ended this much sooner. I'm thinking the reporter just used a poor choice of words to describe the reasons for the money being awarded. Courts don't pay people as a result of their rulings, to my knowledge its the responsibility of the accusors or defendants.

I remember a neighbour (when i lived in T&T) getting awarded a few hundred dollars on top of other financial compensation for just that. He took a tresspasser to court who he belived poisoned one of his dogs. There were multiple witnesses who saw this fella tresspass on his property and the suit was really about wether the guy poisoned the animal or not but the accused denied everything including tresspassing. What should have ended in a day took 4 court attendances over 6 months Once it was proven the guy was ordered to pay compensation for the animal, court costs and money for essentially wasting the accusors time. Don't think he ever got all the cash though.

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Football / Re: 2013 U-20 Women Thread.

« on: October 27, 2013, 07:01:26 PM »

Hard luck ladies, good effort, they put in ah real shift.

Sadly as was said earlier too much long ball. Probably more to do with the pitch which was pretty bad and seemed to promote a Proper 'Boom-kick' game there.

They was hurryin the play too much as well. They young, they go learn.

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Football / Re: 2013 U-20 Women Thread.

« on: October 27, 2013, 05:24:28 PM »

Stream difficult to watch. You could barely make out how JA score. Still better than nuthin.

Hope that T&T defenderr ok....she look in a bad way. Was stretchered off just before the Jamaican's score.

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Football / Re: Royal Antwerp sign former Tottenham midfielder John Bostock

« on: October 21, 2013, 09:43:36 AM »

I thought there was some issue with Bostock and him playing for Trinidad? Something that might prevent him being capped?

I thought the issue was simply him being undecided about comitting at this point due to him struggling to cement a first team place with first Toronto and now Antwerp. Having not been a regular starter for most of his career, don't think going off with T&T would have been helpful in his specific circumstance. Still too early at Antwerp; he's only had a few games!

If it's to do with eligibility....well that is too complex for me to figure out these days. It used to be straightforward - foreign born were only eligible if they had a Parent born in T&T, Grandparents were not a factor like in the UK. Now there is talk that Grandparent's do make you eligible, also naturalised Parents but if Parent or grandparents do not have in date citizenship documentation (wether born or naturalised) no application will be processed regardless.

If he is having issues (and I have no idea what his status is) he may well fall into any of these categories. Might even be down to incorrect advice he's been given or friends/family speaking out of turn. There have been a few UK born who thought (or were lead to believe) they were eligible only to find out they weren't. All have happened before. Not to be too critical of the T&T High commission in the UK but even they aren't the greatest at clarifying such issues; the most recent dealings my family have had with them have been.....confusing. That's the most diplomatic assessment I can give.

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Football / Re: Anyone play Football Manager

« on: October 16, 2013, 09:33:21 AM »

Always play it. Though now based in UK/Germany, first started playing when I was living in T&T and it was called Championship manager and the developers were called 'Domark'. There were a few school mates lucky enough to own PC's who had it as well...ah the banter we had.

Good link (and effort!). Was always interested in doing the local leagues but only actually did it twice as setting up the leagues was too time consuming - less gaming time!

The researchers get most of the T&T player info off this website (though they are unlikely to admit it) but if you check the editor, they don't give much footballing detail on the players. It leaves a lot of info (i.e.  like Sam said; player posistions) to get randomly generated by the game engine and that gives some bizarre results. Still, always remember Peter Prosper being an abolutely phenominal striker in multiple versions of the game - shame he was'nt that good in reality or he would have been in RM or Barca in his prime instead of lebanon.

Love the game.

Oh, also noticed in the database that some intercol sides ( From memory ... Princess Town / Malick; there could be more) are there as club teams. Strange.

17

Football / Re: Joevin Jones & Daneil Cyrus playing in minor league.

« on: September 27, 2013, 09:07:04 AM »

I'm glad to hear that my original belief in Connection having certain professional standards was not unfounded. Disappointed in the actions of Cyrus and Jones as if I was aware such activities were'nt acceptable surely they were as well.

I appreciate a football career is short and the earning potential of a footballer in T&T is limited but to risk your main source of income for essentially top-up funds......well, it's not a wise course of action IMO.

Like most of the forumites here, I'm not hating on them. All I want is for these guys to get as much as they can out of the game both financially and as footballers. It's such a risk to do what they have.

Does this league in Carenage provide worthwhile if any insurance for players? I could hazard ah guess at what the answer will be.

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Football / Re: Akeem Adams suffers a heart attack

« on: September 26, 2013, 10:09:21 AM »

What distressing news about someone so early in their career. My thoughts are with him.

He is young so should recover well if they acted swiftly. Like everyone I hope his recovery is speedy and he experiences no lasting effects.

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Football / Re: Joevin Jones

« on: September 25, 2013, 11:26:25 AM »

Good talk Coops, but de game change now and so to we should change our culture about the way we think when it comes to football, the world left us behind and we have to stop thinking backaday mentality.

On de flip side of that, I guess de salaries for players have to rise and clubs have to go back to their communities for players to change their mentalities.

It would be a hell of a thing if Joevin suit up to play Savannah football and get get injured. I guess, pappieshow football is more important than Pro, no wonder some of our better talents does end up playing T&T Pro ball all they life and de one who make de sacrifice does move on to bigger things.

De Jemmot syndrome.

Sam, you highlighted my main concerns with such activities in the modern age; especially the risk of injury. Though I don't live in T&T, I am aware of the 'freelance' semi-pro practices of the baller's back home and as Coop's pointed out, I also know that this has been going on for Donkey's years. Having said that, though the pro-league wage may be small it is (generally) a regular income while as I understand it the minor league stuff is more of a 'cash-in-hand, Pay-as-you-play' arrangement.

Yes, it's easy for me to say but IMHO this practice in this day an age - fuh short-term gain - is a dangerous gamble for the young pro's who still have hopes of a long career and dreams of playing abroad. The Pro-league is their best hope for getting scouted if they ain't in the national side. I have no problem with the the senior pro's that give up on or don't believe in a foreign payday indulging in such practices.

What disturbed me was that W.Connection are (allegedly) party to such practices. I was under the impression like Soccerama; that they were one of the more professional outfits in the country and frowned on such practices which is why I made the 'more fuel' comment in my first post.

I know man have too earn a crust as best as he can is just that like Sam I think those willing to sacrifice have a better chance a reaping dividends. Just an opinion.

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Football / Re: Joevin Jones

« on: September 23, 2013, 09:34:10 AM »

Maybe his club allows him to play minor league?

if they dont have an issue I dont have an issue

But if true this adds more fuel too the opinion held by some that the Pro-league is jus a big 'pappy show'.

Such practices would never be allowed in any of the major leagues across the globe. I could understand if Jones was a fringe player and rarely got selected or was coming back from an injury and working on his fitness/match sharpness. In fact, I would go as far as saying that no Team that consider's itself a fully professional outfit would ever risk allowing key players to play for other teams while also playing for their first team.

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Football / Re: 2013/14 CONCACAF Champions League Thread

« on: September 21, 2013, 08:29:52 AM »

I was more disappointed in Connection than AIA. Cale had the tougher team in Toluca. But Connection should have won the game last night. Their forwards missed some easy chances and Arabe just counter and kill them. Connection lack a "killer" striker. A man who could just put the ball in the net. Not fancy goals only, but some scrappy ones also. They have good build up but they break down just outside the area. And their shooting from outside the box is virtually  non-existent.

Connection shoulda have ah maximum of 9 points ahready.

I would say 7, and the least 4.

Agreed! Connection matched their opponents in all three of their games. Lasana is right, if they had an decent - maybe too harsh - or at least on form striker to put away the chances they created they would be top.

The only reason I'm dissappointed with Fervier, is Connection publicised their efforts at building their squad and prep for this competition yet came away with nothing. The Dynamo performance was the most infuriating performance by a T&T side I have seen in a while and will be hard to forget. Hopefully he has learned from this and will concentrate on trying rectifying their weaknesses soonest as its pretty obvious what needs to be done.

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Football / Re: 2013/14 CONCACAF Champions League Thread

« on: September 20, 2013, 03:58:38 PM »

Where is Mirko Delia? I have not seen him suit up for Connection in a while.

Was thinking the same thing. He looked a bit lost and seemed to struggle with the conditions (? unfit) against the Dynamo.

Is he injured or has he had enough of the Caribbean jaunt, cut his losses and 'packed it in' ?

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Football / Re: Grenada star scores on debut; but Caledonia humiliated by Toluca

« on: September 19, 2013, 12:57:07 PM »

Shabazz this and Shabazz that..we always looking for somewhere to dump a load on...and 9 times out of 10 is we own backyard. Cool it with the Shabazz nah. Barcelona drop 4 on Ajax...everybody know Messi most likely to score, he score 3...does that mean the coach didn't prepare, or Ajax is toots, or the players have no heart ? Or they should drop out the league.. boy...fair weather supporters yes...
Shabazz holdiing the posy now..next man saying he paying no money to see no shit football in Pro league, he rather watch on TV...but if ever, they happen to win, wether by fluke or design and go somewhere...sure everybody dey, waving the flag, and telling the whole world Trini is borse..
Come on Mr. Shabazz, work it out. Some of us behind all of you still, through thick and thin, regardless of our dis-agreements.
 

 

Whatever your personal views on Shabazz be he a crap coach or people just hating on him; my point still stands, these past 12 months have not been good for his reputation as a coach.

We know the usual routine, in professional football 9 times out of 10 is the coach that gets the blame for poor results and performance.

Why should it be any different for Mr Shabazz?

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Football / Re: Grenada star scores on debut; but Caledonia humiliated by Toluca

« on: September 19, 2013, 01:53:28 AM »

I have to say that Shabazz has done a lot of damage to his reputation as a coach over the past few months.

I'm not suggesting he was ever T&T's version of the 'Special One' but he had some decent results at this level in the past and did well with Guyana.

The way things went with the MNT and what I've seen of Caledonia so far this term, the way he prepares teams must be put into question. Was he just lucky in the past and is now being found out, has he lost some of his enthusiasim for the game or is the evolution of the game passing him by.

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Football / Re: Bringing football back to Skinner Park

« on: September 17, 2013, 03:16:28 PM »

Thanks for the pics, Tallman.  It brings back A LOT of memories from my ol' Pres days.  The atmosphere during many clashes against 'shitong' teams like St. Benedicts  and Naparima at Skinners Park will never be forgotten.  The first game I remember seeing as a Presman was in form 1 --- it was Pres vs Sando Tech in the Intercol South finals.  I think Sando Tech beat us 3-0 if I'm not mistaken.  Latapy scored at least one of the goals against us.     

Seeing those pics shows me that not much has changed at all.  The vibes still there it looks like.   

True thing. That was my era. First pres game I ever went was at Skinner Park. I think it was intercol. We get five from Nap's when Leonson Lewis was playing fuh them. I think the Final score was 5-1. Not a good day or week for that matter.

I will be honest thought the atmosphere was better at Skinner park than Union Hall but maybe that was because you could actually see most of the game at Skinner Park. 

26

Football / Re: Winter World Cup

« on: September 17, 2013, 03:04:54 PM »

Looks like someone took my advice.

http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/2013/09/17/australian-federation-asks-fifa-world-cup-bid-compensation-qatar-2022-mulls-

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Football / Re: Latapy, now Assistant Coach at Boavista

« on: September 11, 2013, 04:52:19 AM »

Sorry I know is about Latapy. But on Theobald, I saw him play a few times for Falkirk. I know why Latapy brought him there and also why he lost his way.

Latapy saw the potential of what he could be, Theobald is a decent player who seems to play within himself. He could/should be much more than he is. We know most manager's find him to be a stabilising/calming influence when on the pitch.

Sadly he reverted to current Theobald mode when there. Man took no risks, everything was 'safe - safe' so in the longrun he achieved very little on the pitch that made him standout. No wonder them Falkirk directors was sayin he wasn't progressing as they hoped. Just like on the national side there were other players at Falkirk that were doing what he was and more, so is no surprise he was usually on the bench.

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Football / Re: Experts say Warriors making progress.

« on: September 11, 2013, 04:39:08 AM »

Even though Alvin's comments are irritating, at least he consistent. 

Yuh got me there. This is true.

You have a better gift than I for making a positive out of a negative.

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Football / Re: Experts say Warriors making progress.

« on: September 11, 2013, 04:36:48 AM »

Anton for Prime Minister 

But on a serious note, I wonder if Anton shares his father's sentiments.

I hope not! But sadly as he dosen't (diplomatically) distance himself for the uninformed tat that his father spews, he will always continue to be dragged into any discussion similar to this when his dad gets involved.

Like it or not.

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Football / Re: Experts say Warriors making progress.

« on: September 11, 2013, 04:12:12 AM »

So Corneal saying is all down to the efforts of his son, who lead the 2007 U-17's and had significant input with the 2009 U-20's and Olympic team.

As usual give praise to the Corneal dynasty for saving T&T football from the gutter. Give praise coach Hart because you would never have had this superbly gelled unit at your disposal if it wasn't fuh dem.

What Nonsense, that man continues to annoy me.