241
General Discussion / Re: Storming of the White House like the Red House?.
« on: March 15, 2021, 06:51:35 AM »
Oh how the corrupt among us live to prevail: to continue to plant their seeds of dysfunction and corruption.
April 19, 2024, 03:46:08 PM
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242
Football / Re: World Cup illusion
« on: March 15, 2021, 06:43:02 AM »The Caribbean nations will have to become politically united into one Federated State (Federation. We know what happened to that.It is as much a dream asTnT ever winnng a WC, quaffing for one or even getting by teams in the Carribean, given our current approach- selection of team, program development,Community and cooporate sponsorship. Administration and coaching, players commitment and accountability.
Dude, in Your dreams!!!!
In terms of its operation and control of governing ,bodies, its loyal insiders, the bidding process, alleged corruption, could FIFA be akin to a MAFIA like body operating what appears to be legitimate governance and total control of football?
what is the possibility of cooperations brining nations together to host a world tournamentversion of a WC? A nonsa ction FIFA event?
243
Football / World Cup illusion
« on: March 10, 2021, 08:17:37 AM »
Dreams hopes fantasies and desires- then there is reality. From the inception of a WC, every football nation has yearned for this Holy Grail. Every minnow to giants among nation believe that they have what it takes. However, the fact remains that i reality there are predictable nations who will come close and those who will go through a formality of qualifying only to shatter the hearts of a nation.
What is the possibility of TnT ever even coming close to a quarter final play? We can't even with any conviction lay claim to be a regional dominant force or a giant among CONCACF!
This farcical attempt every four years to build some hope is quickly becoming a nightmare of a dream - an illusion of sorts - The entire fabric of a WC is in many ways a highly organized- ooops orchestrated event with back door bidding wars- alleged payoffs for hostings and money being allegedly laundered among different levels of executives and governing bodies - all under the guise of FIFA- "Foreign Investors For All"
It is rather a grand delusion that invites and supports those who play the odds and cheer for the u derdog hoping against all that the perennial favourites or top five nations will suffer a humiliating defeat. Given the overall structure and inequities of funding, player talent, resources and opportunities, the advent of a Caribbean nation ever appearing in a final two is at the best a football mirage.
The farcical show and fracas of qualifying standards and Playoffs is once more evident to keep minnows at bay and reserve the rite of passage to the WC to nations of privilege - Depraved nations are left to seek desperate measures to attempt to equal the playing field- the recent announcement by Jamaica to immerse their team with foreign nationals who because of lineage is good enough to represent- YnT is no different- we put our hopes that those from far away lands will bring us a prepriev for our football local debacle.
These actions once more support the giants and further constrict the growth development opportunities and hope of local football.
Our association pays a coack20k US to coach a national team and then the ultimate betrayal occurs when the team is not good enough- recruits are brought in- there is something fundamentally flawed in how this occurs every four year cycle?
Could the TTFA take the money spent on coaching select top players send then abroad for playing and development and let them be the core of the national team- each year local players who earn a qualifying standard will be sponsored by TTFA to earn an opportunity to a foreign contract. This is fully disclosed and understood- the illusion of trying to home grow talent pay a coach ridiculous amount to break an illusionary spell can be averted.
The drunken and hypnotic madness that we can rise among the ranks in this decade seems to be just that- with the present state of foot ball intnis nation our dose of reality lies in finding some semblance of glory if we could win a fete match against the likes of Anguilla- a country on the brink of starting their own illusion of some day parading on the WC stage.
Let's inoculate against the illusion - watch the WC on our television sets and relishintne thought that there maybe better hope for us if we were united as Caribbean nations and have a regional team- like cricket
to have any consistent regional representation at a WC.
In terms of its operation and control of governing ,bodies, its loyal insiders, the bidding process, alleged corruption, could FIFA be akin to a MAFIA like body operating what appears to be legitimate governance and total control of football?
what is the possibility of cooperations brining nations together to host a world tournamentversion of a WC? A nonsa ction FIFA event?
What is the possibility of TnT ever even coming close to a quarter final play? We can't even with any conviction lay claim to be a regional dominant force or a giant among CONCACF!
This farcical attempt every four years to build some hope is quickly becoming a nightmare of a dream - an illusion of sorts - The entire fabric of a WC is in many ways a highly organized- ooops orchestrated event with back door bidding wars- alleged payoffs for hostings and money being allegedly laundered among different levels of executives and governing bodies - all under the guise of FIFA- "Foreign Investors For All"
It is rather a grand delusion that invites and supports those who play the odds and cheer for the u derdog hoping against all that the perennial favourites or top five nations will suffer a humiliating defeat. Given the overall structure and inequities of funding, player talent, resources and opportunities, the advent of a Caribbean nation ever appearing in a final two is at the best a football mirage.
The farcical show and fracas of qualifying standards and Playoffs is once more evident to keep minnows at bay and reserve the rite of passage to the WC to nations of privilege - Depraved nations are left to seek desperate measures to attempt to equal the playing field- the recent announcement by Jamaica to immerse their team with foreign nationals who because of lineage is good enough to represent- YnT is no different- we put our hopes that those from far away lands will bring us a prepriev for our football local debacle.
These actions once more support the giants and further constrict the growth development opportunities and hope of local football.
Our association pays a coack20k US to coach a national team and then the ultimate betrayal occurs when the team is not good enough- recruits are brought in- there is something fundamentally flawed in how this occurs every four year cycle?
Could the TTFA take the money spent on coaching select top players send then abroad for playing and development and let them be the core of the national team- each year local players who earn a qualifying standard will be sponsored by TTFA to earn an opportunity to a foreign contract. This is fully disclosed and understood- the illusion of trying to home grow talent pay a coach ridiculous amount to break an illusionary spell can be averted.
The drunken and hypnotic madness that we can rise among the ranks in this decade seems to be just that- with the present state of foot ball intnis nation our dose of reality lies in finding some semblance of glory if we could win a fete match against the likes of Anguilla- a country on the brink of starting their own illusion of some day parading on the WC stage.
Let's inoculate against the illusion - watch the WC on our television sets and relishintne thought that there maybe better hope for us if we were united as Caribbean nations and have a regional team- like cricket
to have any consistent regional representation at a WC.
In terms of its operation and control of governing ,bodies, its loyal insiders, the bidding process, alleged corruption, could FIFA be akin to a MAFIA like body operating what appears to be legitimate governance and total control of football?
what is the possibility of cooperations brining nations together to host a world tournamentversion of a WC? A nonsa ction FIFA event?
244
Football / Re: Thread for T&T vs Guyana Game (25-Mar-2021)
« on: March 09, 2021, 09:11:13 PM »Maximo: ‘Jaguars’ can surprise T&T.
T&T Express Reports.
The Guyana senior men’s football team will be highly competitive against Trinidad and Tobago in its first FIFA World Cup qualifier fixture and has a good chance of delivering a surprise, according to “Golden Jaguars” head coach Marcio Maximo.
Guyana face Trinidad and Tobago away in Group F of the first round of CONCACAF qualifying on March 25, followed by a home match against the Bahamas on March 29.
The domestic-based squad is currently in training — five days a week — at the Guyana Football Federation National Training Centre in Providence.
“We have a good chance to deliver a surprise. Trinidad has a track record as participant of the World Cup before, but nothing intimidates us. We know that a difficult challenge awaits us but that is encouraging and motivating us to do better,” Maximo said.
“We go with a good possibility to make a surprise and we will be very competitive. You can’t predict a win but what you can predict is a competitive game. We hope that we will take full advantage of this game. It is not only Trinidad, it’s the Bahamas, St. Kitts and Puerto Rico. The qualifiers are not the starting or finishing with Trinidad so we should make a good start to motivate us for the rest of the qualifiers,” he added.
Only the winner of Group F progress to the second of three rounds of qualification for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Maximo said he was impressed with the level of commitment shown by the squad as players work hard to regain fitness and secure a place in the final squad, after a prolonged layoff due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“If you train hard with intensity, with tactical discipline and technical discipline, and a physical effort every day, that is reflected during the match,” the former Brazil U-20 and U-17 coach said.
“With our locally-based group, I can see a big development, according to the commitment, intensity and knowledge. They are growing in each training session.”
The former Tanzania, Cayman Islands and Livingston coach supported the GFF’s policy of providing greater opportunities for domestic talent to break into the national squad, as well as bringing in the best overseas-based talent possible.
“Following the Federation’s policy, we need to give a chance to more local players to be part of the group. Internationally-based players are very important for us, with their experience, knowledge and tactical discipline, but together our group also has to be realistic about the development of football in Guyana.”
“Now more than 50 percent of the players are Guyana-based, so we are improving our local football as well as the hope of players to participate and even to go to international markets, especially the younger players.” said Maximo, who worked with Brazilian stars Ronaldo and Ronaldinho during his time with the Brazilian set up.
Maximo said he could sense an increased interest and level of support among the public as the World Cup qualifiers edge closer. “When we go in the street, or take a taxi, I see that people feel more interested in football. I see more people with more hope in the Golden Jaguars now,” he added.
—Courtesy Kaieteur News
Don't think this will e a surprise- in my opinion we are the u dergogs going into this campaign
245
General Discussion / Re: The eye of the 'Tiger' or fall from Grace
« on: March 06, 2021, 07:28:07 AM »
Praise d Tiger- the man is like ah Cat as his namestake - he has more lives than ah cat- then too d man like he fair skin cat- wait ah wonder- ever seen ah tiger with ah female panther?
Well the man resilience and ah char wait for the Tiger to be prowling on the go.f course in the future-
Well the man resilience and ah char wait for the Tiger to be prowling on the go.f course in the future-
246
Football / Re: Beach Soccer Thread
« on: March 06, 2021, 07:18:51 AM »Ex Barca player appointed T&T Beach Soccer coach.
T&T Guardian Reports.
Former Barcelona and Spanish beach football star Ramiro Amarelle is T&T's new beach football coach.
The 43-year old, is expected to officially take up his appointment later this month, after arriving on local soil last week. Amarelle will begin T&T's preparations for the CONCACAF Beach Soccer Championship in Alajuela, Costa Rica in May.
He will be joined by assistant coach and analyst Jaime Paz in a few days while Maria Gordo, another assistant and mental coach, is already in T&T undergoing quarantine at the Home of Football in Balmain Couva.
All three coaches will serve for the preparation phase, as well as for the CONCACAF Qualifiers, which run from May 17-23 at the Complejo Deportivo FEDEFUTBOL Plycem, in Alajuela, Costa Rica.
Amarelle, who spoke to the T&T Football Association media upon his arrival said: “It is an honour for me and my assistants to get this opportunity to prepare the national beach soccer team of T&T for the CONCACAF Championship.”
“It is an exciting challenge that will require a total team effort. We are looking forward to working with all the players, the other members of the staff and everyone at the Federation to make this the best possible preparation of the team,” he added.
“Of course the main ambition is to qualify but this will also be a process to improve beach soccer and create a better environment and awareness for beach football in the country. We will aim to improve many different aspects of the game here,” Amarelle noted.
Twelve nations will contest the early stage of the qualifiers, namely Bahamas, Belize, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Mexico, Panama, T&T, Turks and Caicos Islands and the USA.
For the group stage, the 12 participating teams will be divided into three groups of four teams each. After a round-robin play-off between May 17-19, the first and second-place finishers in each group, and the two best third-place finishers will advance to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage will begin with the quarterfinal matches on May 21, followed by the semifinals on May 22.
In addition to qualifying for the competition’s final, the two semifinal winners will earn a spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Russia 2021. The final is scheduled for May 23.
T&T reached the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Championship in 2015, 2017 and 2019. Mexico is the defending Champions.
Amarelle is also a FIFA instructor and advisor and holds a UEFA Pro License coaching badge.
The rest of the T&T team’s technical staff comprises Ryan Augustine (Player/Assistant Coach), Dr Jason Pilgrim (Athletic trainer), Dr Oba Gulston (Team Manager) and Yuri Chapman (Assistant Manager/Kitman)
With the way the TTFA does operate maybe some of these expertise could be on loan to the national team? I am sure we could use ah mental coach- all man book in fun therapy session- starting with head coach- next each player- I think there was a time when for a footballer growing up in TnT the biggest dream was to wear the national colours - to bleed red white and black- to take on any team - to represent - to hear - "forge from ....... in -
So yeah Leah we see how this one will play out- but the set up sounding like all in place.
247
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: March 06, 2021, 07:09:18 AM »
Latest news regarding alleged players dissatisfaction - ummm go back to top of this thread and tell me how all this is indicative of cultural ways of doing things?
The system is flawed- from selection of coach- to players - to preparation- recepie for disaster. All at a price way above paying a man 20k USA a month forthat kinda ah approach- I am surprised that more folks are not questioning that market value being paid for what we have seen and heard about team preparation to this point?
But yuh know the familiar cultural refrain: " it done so- what we go do" setups - ent we like bacchanal- ent is commess ineverything we do?
The system is flawed- from selection of coach- to players - to preparation- recepie for disaster. All at a price way above paying a man 20k USA a month forthat kinda ah approach- I am surprised that more folks are not questioning that market value being paid for what we have seen and heard about team preparation to this point?
But yuh know the familiar cultural refrain: " it done so- what we go do" setups - ent we like bacchanal- ent is commess ineverything we do?
248
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: February 23, 2021, 06:32:23 AM »
Ah boi - culture- I eh know how many inhere could remember the sayings-
" who doh hear go feel"
Is like we " harden"
We get cat in bag
Yes think of all the cultural ways in which this WC campaign is aligning with how we does do things- ent we like it so? What we go do ent it happen already?
What has changed ? Team selection? Reliance on foreign aid?/ players? Last minute preparation? Yeah who is to blame ? We get what we sow? Ent we does either blame TTFA or the coach Year in doh matter who dey? Time we look at the cultural contex u der which we operating- Leah we seek first to undestand from this context of how we operate in establishing success of football in this country. Ever watch how our players does turn and blame and buff up each other fun mistakes? Whey dat coming from? We have a foreign born coach who has been indoctrinated into our ways of knowing that instead of instilling a different cultural approach we seeing ah regression and default to normative cultural ways of doing things-
Folks time for some serious overhaul.
" who doh hear go feel"
Is like we " harden"
We get cat in bag
Yes think of all the cultural ways in which this WC campaign is aligning with how we does do things- ent we like it so? What we go do ent it happen already?
What has changed ? Team selection? Reliance on foreign aid?/ players? Last minute preparation? Yeah who is to blame ? We get what we sow? Ent we does either blame TTFA or the coach Year in doh matter who dey? Time we look at the cultural contex u der which we operating- Leah we seek first to undestand from this context of how we operate in establishing success of football in this country. Ever watch how our players does turn and blame and buff up each other fun mistakes? Whey dat coming from? We have a foreign born coach who has been indoctrinated into our ways of knowing that instead of instilling a different cultural approach we seeing ah regression and default to normative cultural ways of doing things-
Folks time for some serious overhaul.
249
Football / Re: Thread for T&T vs Guyana Game (25-Mar-2021)
« on: February 23, 2021, 06:14:10 AM »
Pot calling the kettle black! This same TTFA administration being alluded to is the same one that worked out a back door deal and landed the man ah 20k USA per month deal to coach youths?
Success in TnT pro league is not equating with running a national team. I think we are witnessing one of the biggest catastrophes in the shaping, preparing and coaching of aNational team. What we are getting from this coach is a prelude and preparation for failure-
The first outing followed the same pattern of the past- assemble some locals - close to game time discard the majority and jettison in foreign players and hope for instant success. That = cutarse
Now facing of all Guyana- not Mexico Not even Jamaica and the frigging excuses start before we even decide on where we playing. This is what we get for 20k USA per month! This is the same man who li ed with dogs now the fleas biting he arsea d he start to bark -
Folks we in trouble- ah tell allyuh Anguilla ready to put ah licking on we- Watch the Bajans and all could take we down yes we have rescinded to a low when the expectations that one with his pedigree , one who has played at the highest level, one who has coached and lived in our culture could impart knowledge and experience and equate that into success-
Looks like TTFA get ah cat in bag deal- his concern about fans in the stands is ah distraction ah deflection- fans doh play the game? This is not an Intercol match! WC qualifiers!!! Fck this is high stakes- Fck coach yuh players and stop trying to coach the TTFA. Like yuh want that job too?
Success in TnT pro league is not equating with running a national team. I think we are witnessing one of the biggest catastrophes in the shaping, preparing and coaching of aNational team. What we are getting from this coach is a prelude and preparation for failure-
The first outing followed the same pattern of the past- assemble some locals - close to game time discard the majority and jettison in foreign players and hope for instant success. That = cutarse
Now facing of all Guyana- not Mexico Not even Jamaica and the frigging excuses start before we even decide on where we playing. This is what we get for 20k USA per month! This is the same man who li ed with dogs now the fleas biting he arsea d he start to bark -
Folks we in trouble- ah tell allyuh Anguilla ready to put ah licking on we- Watch the Bajans and all could take we down yes we have rescinded to a low when the expectations that one with his pedigree , one who has played at the highest level, one who has coached and lived in our culture could impart knowledge and experience and equate that into success-
Looks like TTFA get ah cat in bag deal- his concern about fans in the stands is ah distraction ah deflection- fans doh play the game? This is not an Intercol match! WC qualifiers!!! Fck this is high stakes- Fck coach yuh players and stop trying to coach the TTFA. Like yuh want that job too?
250
Football / Re: Thread for T&T vs Guyana Game (25-Mar-2021)
« on: February 22, 2021, 04:58:31 PM »I never imagined or even think dat a day would come when our national coach depends on home advantage against guyana ......
A sad testament to how far we have fallen- you would think a 20k USA a month coach would stop manufacturing premature excuses prior to the game. Does not instill confidence nor inspire great hope for success.
251
Football / Re: Terry Fenwick have a lot of INSTANT options, he needs the support.
« on: February 17, 2021, 02:31:12 PM »quote author=ffisback link=topic=66779.msg997591#msg997591 date=1613422491]Correection: Raffique Shah's highest rank was Lieutenant. As a lieutenant in the Trinidad and Tobago Regiment, he led an army mutiny in 1970----------------------------------------------Raffique Shah was the last great army general TT ever had these people had the vision to see what was going on in TT and to make a stand its unfortunate that the people of TT was sleeping and is still sleeping.
Critique of Shah
https://icdn.today/dr-eric-williams-to-raffique-shah-i-am-not-going-to-have-a-mutineer-for-my-opposition-leader/
[/quote]
Yuh joking right? The last great------ yuh really need to qualify greatness.
252
Football / Re: Kevin Molino Thread.
« on: February 17, 2021, 02:27:11 PM »Molino on signing with the Crew: ‘The ambition there is to shoot for the stars and I want to be part of that’
By Nick Hudak (massivereport.com)
There was a bevy of Cinderella stories that played out throughout the course of an unusual 2020 Major League Soccer season. One of the more eye-opening was the run of fourth-seeded Minnesota United making a postseason sprint to the Western Conference Final. While United eventually lost MLS Cup runners-up Seattle Sounders in a thrilling 3-2 match, it was just an accomplishment to reach the conference final in the club’s first season.
While he didn’t score or get an assist in the West Final, Loon’s star playmaker Kevin Molino managed four MLS Cup playoff goals in 2020, the first four of his career. That conference final game, as it turned out, was his final with the club after four seasons.
After the Columbus Crew sealed the signature of free agent forward Bradley Wright-Phillips in January, the league’s sixth-highest goal scorer all-time, the defending MLS Cup champions, who beat Seattle 3-0 to win their second league title in early December, soon added yet another attacking option in Molino, a winger and creative midfielder, to a group that will be arguably the best in the entirety of MLS this season.
“The quality, you can go on and on,” Molino said of Crew’s attacking options in a recent interview with Black & Gol analyst Jordan Angeli. “Me and Nagbe have a good relationship we talk and message. ‘Anything you need let me know,’ he told me. He was part of it, (Nagbe’s) one of the best midfielders in the league. (Lucas) Zelarayan, too.”
While Molino may not be as flashy as the LA Galaxy’s Javier Hernandez and as big of a box office hit as LAFC’s Carlos Vela, his talent is undeniable. In 22 appearances throughout 2020, the 30 year old finished as Minnesota’s leading scorer with 13 goals and was pivotal in their runs to both the West Final and the MLS is Back Tournament semifinal.
What Columbus achieved didn’t go unnoticed by Molino. The squad that the Black & Gold built, including the aforementioned Nagbe and Zelarayan who were acquired last offseason and key cogs in the championship wheel, was enticing to play with but the intrigued of coming to play under a proven head coach in Caleb Porter, despite never working together, was a major pull for Molino as well.
“I’ve been a fan of Porter since Portland. I watched that team play,” Molino added in talking about what he enjoys about the prospect of playing for the Crew. “The good relationships he has had with Nagbe, (Gyasi) Zardes and the other players (I enjoy), I’m looking forward to being in Columbus and training with them.”
Since debuting with Orlando City SC in MLS in 2015, Molino has appeared in 104 league games while scoring 32 goals and contributing 27 assists. He averages a goal or an assist every 131 minutes of play throughout his career and Molino’s only gotten better with age.
In Minnesota, the midfielder made 67 regular season appearances (58 starts), notching 21 goals and 18 assists, which made him one of the most sought-after free agents available this offseason.
“Throughout his time in this League, Kevin Molino has been one of the most talented and explosive wingers in Major League Soccer, and he proved that not only throughout the 2020 regular season, but most recently when it mattered most, in the playoffs, on a team that was minutes away from an MLS Cup final,” Crew president and general manager Tim Bezbatchenko in a statement after the signing was made official. “Kevin will bring individual game-changing ability, with his smart and technical play, which will aid in our team chemistry with our other top quality attackers.”
Molino joins an attacking group loaded with talent, which includes Wright-Phillips, Zardes, Pedro Santos, Zelarayan, Luis Diaz and Derrick Etienne Jr. With a new downtown stadium on the horizon in 2021 and the club’s inclusion in the CONCACAF Champions League, the decision to come to Columbus wasn’t a hard one for Molino.
Looking for a club that had ambition was really all it came down to for the club’s newest Trinidad international.
“The new stadium, signing one of the best strikers in the history of the league, Bradley, and they just signed (Perry) Kitchen,” said Molino. “The ambition there is to shoot for the stars and I want to be part of that. I want to be the best and I try to think that I am the best. That’s how you have to play and not to be second-best. It fit my mentality and personality.”
If he could bring the same ambition to the National team we would be in a better place- All dem star boyz does fuhget the TnT air which give dem birth- Once they head get too big- they does be clouded with personal ambition- little do you hear them proclaim the glorification of playing on the National team and going for glory.
253
Football / Re: Thread for T&T vs Guyana Game (25-Mar-2021)
« on: February 17, 2021, 02:24:10 PM »This is what peeves me with our football. This format has been implemented since September, you really mean to tell me that they didn’t see it as a priority to sit down with the relevant authorities and iron out a plan on how they were going to move forward?
they actually waited until the last minute to figure out what was their next move? trinbago in true third world style again you have managed to disappoint, which goes to show that you have no intention of ever improving on your lazy backward modus operandi. the definition of madness= doing the very same thing over and over yet expecting better results.
And tell me if the Impart of our culture does not drive how we approach things?
254
General Discussion / Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« on: February 15, 2021, 10:03:23 PM »
Law society should be lobbying tbemselves as to why these criminals were free to roam the streets to commit these henieous crimes.
255
Football / Re: Terry Fenwick Thread.
« on: February 15, 2021, 10:46:57 AM »I am supportive of Fenwick on this issue. The government is sabotaging the TTFA in an act of it's normal tortoise-like decision making process. If we could host a three week CPL tournament in a bubble there is no reason we cannot host three teams in a football tournament. This is plain and simply shameful.
BS- There is no deliberate sabotage- You paying a coach 20 K to coach a pick up team- now after the first cutarse- you getting deflection- rationalization blaming-
Coach and put the best system forward- who is ultimately responsible for assessing the talent, fitness level, play structure and success of the team? not the government- The COVID situation is dynamic- and what was during CPL has changes with the new variants-
Public blaming is not going to solve this dilemma- You would think that the governing sanction body FIFA would have a COVID plan that would involve an alignment with governments to ensure the hosting and playing of these games. In each of the professional leagues in North America, governance of play and protocols were assumed by the either NHL, NBA. NFL MLB along with federal . state of provincial health regulations.
In this case, FIFA as the overall governance, should be assuming a lead in presenting a plan to the government authorities, working alongside them and footing the bill to ensure testing and a 'bubble' environment to protect players and the general population is adhered to.
Instead we always have to default to blaming and scapegoating our inadequacies to the government.
TF , as coach should stick to your lane and coach- shut your trap and focus on what it takes to beat the team ahead of you.
Is not like we are blessed with the caliber of players like Brazil, Germany , France or even Jamaica or Mexico. This is what you have at your disposal- mold the young men looking for inspiration, leadership , aspiration. Stop blabbering in areas you have no control and stick to what it takes to get the best and produce the best players.
256
General Discussion / Re: Kidnapping in T&T Thread
« on: February 13, 2021, 07:47:25 AM »
People talking about the safety of the country and the ease of which crimes like these occur but if we some politicians but country before self. Just maybe there could be some harder deterance in place to deal with the criminal elements of society.
It's a downright shame that some lawyers are living off ' criminality'! When you read about the alleged killers in this case and learn of their prior convictions, you wonder how were they enjoying the freedom to roam and eventuality commit a senseless deed.
How is it that an opposition of this country would take such a stance to oppose supporting legislature to pass a bill to be more stringent with criminals?
Then people crying out for the government to do more? Yuh cannot put a police in every house in every car in every village in every corner as a deterrent to criminal activity! However if criminals were to u derstand that when caught- u der overwhelming proof there is no trial no lawyer waiting for a pay off- no life - no death row - no years of taxpayers money to support a life in prison but two choices- Firing squad or public hanging!!!
Who doh hear must feel- no amnesty - no court of appeals - no cases to London or U.K. A wanton crime against humanity USA allow for humanity to be as swift and justified in administering justice.
The means must justify the end- if proven criminals beyond a doubt should, meet with their fate in the course of their capture then so be it!!
Enough of the 'gangster mercenaries for hire free lancing' of criminals in our society! Last year I read of a Man who while supervising on the job in Trincity mall, was shot by a man who walked on the site in broad daylight! No cameras no one identified the culprit and that criminal is walking around breathing today! The victim turned out to be a distant relative I learned afterwards- a Church going family man - sad sad .
We are all victims of these criminals - victims of fear - to step into a taxi to be at home without multiple locks barricading us - imprisoning us in our homes- fear of walking the streets of uttering a word to anyone- in case it may offend - yes callous criminals are moving about without fear of reprisals armed and dangerous they are fearless in throughout their prowling-
Yes opposition get rid of your arrogance and support government legislature to deal more severely with these derelicts of society.
Our COP was justified in his assertions that the police could on.y do so much because it seems than when the work is done to capture these criminals , then the lawyers go to work and find all kinda loopholes to ensure their freedom- this is the breakdown in our society - criminals supporting lawyers both getting rich of each other.
It's a downright shame that some lawyers are living off ' criminality'! When you read about the alleged killers in this case and learn of their prior convictions, you wonder how were they enjoying the freedom to roam and eventuality commit a senseless deed.
How is it that an opposition of this country would take such a stance to oppose supporting legislature to pass a bill to be more stringent with criminals?
Then people crying out for the government to do more? Yuh cannot put a police in every house in every car in every village in every corner as a deterrent to criminal activity! However if criminals were to u derstand that when caught- u der overwhelming proof there is no trial no lawyer waiting for a pay off- no life - no death row - no years of taxpayers money to support a life in prison but two choices- Firing squad or public hanging!!!
Who doh hear must feel- no amnesty - no court of appeals - no cases to London or U.K. A wanton crime against humanity USA allow for humanity to be as swift and justified in administering justice.
The means must justify the end- if proven criminals beyond a doubt should, meet with their fate in the course of their capture then so be it!!
Enough of the 'gangster mercenaries for hire free lancing' of criminals in our society! Last year I read of a Man who while supervising on the job in Trincity mall, was shot by a man who walked on the site in broad daylight! No cameras no one identified the culprit and that criminal is walking around breathing today! The victim turned out to be a distant relative I learned afterwards- a Church going family man - sad sad .
We are all victims of these criminals - victims of fear - to step into a taxi to be at home without multiple locks barricading us - imprisoning us in our homes- fear of walking the streets of uttering a word to anyone- in case it may offend - yes callous criminals are moving about without fear of reprisals armed and dangerous they are fearless in throughout their prowling-
Yes opposition get rid of your arrogance and support government legislature to deal more severely with these derelicts of society.
Our COP was justified in his assertions that the police could on.y do so much because it seems than when the work is done to capture these criminals , then the lawyers go to work and find all kinda loopholes to ensure their freedom- this is the breakdown in our society - criminals supporting lawyers both getting rich of each other.
257
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: February 04, 2021, 06:16:42 AM »
No one seems to t
Want to drill deep into the issues - lot of superficial rumblings and attacking and jumping off and on the wagon- Well I share Maxg sentiments- I have lots to be thankful for over my 66 years- having played my high school football in the 60' - played at Skinner Park 'Greyhound Dovers'- witnessed the great north-south clashes-days of St.Benedicts ruling intercol - southerners having to deal with the arrogance of the likes ofQRC- Fatima- St Mary's - yes the so called privileged -
So today I stand affirmed and declare CULTURE Matters
People could go on and onyear after year- despite whomever is coaching whomever is running the TTFAuntil we do a revamp of our cultural ways of approaching the game and getting up to speed we will be forever be the 'minnow' castaway in the depths of football doom and gloom-
Until wearing those colours mean something more- until the will to strive is more than the will to just get by- until to play this game is more than just about me--
Folks allyuh go on hoping for great things- I am out as the lack of anyone delving into the deeper issues impacting our success is seemingly irrelevant - people are just as content to grasp at the most obvious and like a reoccurring decimal attack what appears to be without looking at embedded ways of thinking , doing and being.
Take care - keep the o.e talk alive - we like it so.
Want to drill deep into the issues - lot of superficial rumblings and attacking and jumping off and on the wagon- Well I share Maxg sentiments- I have lots to be thankful for over my 66 years- having played my high school football in the 60' - played at Skinner Park 'Greyhound Dovers'- witnessed the great north-south clashes-days of St.Benedicts ruling intercol - southerners having to deal with the arrogance of the likes ofQRC- Fatima- St Mary's - yes the so called privileged -
So today I stand affirmed and declare CULTURE Matters
People could go on and onyear after year- despite whomever is coaching whomever is running the TTFAuntil we do a revamp of our cultural ways of approaching the game and getting up to speed we will be forever be the 'minnow' castaway in the depths of football doom and gloom-
Until wearing those colours mean something more- until the will to strive is more than the will to just get by- until to play this game is more than just about me--
Folks allyuh go on hoping for great things- I am out as the lack of anyone delving into the deeper issues impacting our success is seemingly irrelevant - people are just as content to grasp at the most obvious and like a reoccurring decimal attack what appears to be without looking at embedded ways of thinking , doing and being.
Take care - keep the o.e talk alive - we like it so.
258
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: February 03, 2021, 09:00:34 AM »
Lot of threads lots of blaming on the same thing yet no one seems to be drilling down deep at possible root causes- These superficial scapegoating about players skill set and coaching are all intertwined in a cultural frame which produces a mindset and approach = behaviour= actions= results.
Our default to normative cultural ways in part results in what we are seeing .
Take for example the article on part time players in the other islands- it indicates their cultural framework about community play and you could read statements like until certain thinking changes then one may see different results.
Our Thinking have not changed to the degree to yield the results we yearn for instead we default to normative ways of being- aAll the local Training then at the last moment to bring in young players from abroad and expect instant results is assinoine - for this we pay a coach 20k USA a month-
Recycling older players past their best years is desperation- not saying the coach is responsible for systematic cultural shift but once you have the players under your reins as a coach you have the ability to influence and impact change- witness 2006-
Someone have not changed the TTFA lightbulb - they still acting like all we doing is 'normal'- appropriate name for the committee --Normalization- they acting as suggested. No vision no planning just reacting- spending and hoping for a messiah to lead them through the floods.
Our default to normative cultural ways in part results in what we are seeing .
Take for example the article on part time players in the other islands- it indicates their cultural framework about community play and you could read statements like until certain thinking changes then one may see different results.
Our Thinking have not changed to the degree to yield the results we yearn for instead we default to normative ways of being- aAll the local Training then at the last moment to bring in young players from abroad and expect instant results is assinoine - for this we pay a coach 20k USA a month-
Recycling older players past their best years is desperation- not saying the coach is responsible for systematic cultural shift but once you have the players under your reins as a coach you have the ability to influence and impact change- witness 2006-
Someone have not changed the TTFA lightbulb - they still acting like all we doing is 'normal'- appropriate name for the committee --Normalization- they acting as suggested. No vision no planning just reacting- spending and hoping for a messiah to lead them through the floods.
259
Football / Re: Terry Fenwick Thread.
« on: February 03, 2021, 08:47:48 AM »There's certainly a LOT of public commentary about this match in the public domain. Not even Saintfiet attracted this level of weighing-in at his kick-off. There's a heavy public investment in this match psychologically ... which is an indicator of the ceiling to which football can be raised with proper governance.it’s like blaming the janitor for the building’s faulty wiring. these people needs prospective.
General comment, not a veiled indictment of the NC. Merely something for the halls of officialdom to note.
Success to TF.
That may be partially so but you don't pay a janitor 20k USA a month if your don't think he has the skill set to repair what's wrong? At least he could run the wires so they could produce some kinda spark for that price!!!!
260
Football / Re: Terry Fenwick Thread.
« on: February 02, 2021, 08:14:28 PM »
20k USA a month gets you that - demonstration of preparation, the play on the field and the decision making?
You know a colonial ploy was to go to the colonies - Africa America - Caribbean wherever.
- encounter the natives - give them a bag of beans for gold and riches and leave the natives thinking they were better of.
- is the same shite today - so hot shot agent get a sweet deal - get a man to coach ne'er stionsl ball and then we left with ah leaky boat
You know a colonial ploy was to go to the colonies - Africa America - Caribbean wherever.
- encounter the natives - give them a bag of beans for gold and riches and leave the natives thinking they were better of.
- is the same shite today - so hot shot agent get a sweet deal - get a man to coach ne'er stionsl ball and then we left with ah leaky boat
261
Football / Re: Thread for USA vs T&T Game (31-Jan-2021)
« on: February 02, 2021, 03:19:14 AM »What's worse? Playing Anguilla and winning by some ludicrous number or playing the US and losing by "lucky 7"?
That's answere is predicated on whether or not we could even beat Anguilla with this current squad. As a hyperbole, I am calling on a game versus Anguilla so it builds momentum rather than suffer football suicide or massacre
262
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: February 01, 2021, 09:20:51 PM »
If we seeing the same ole- no defence - we too slow - no pace - nomateer the coaching tell meh if it eh something in the culture?
263
Football / Re: Thread for USA vs T&T Game (31-Jan-2021)
« on: February 01, 2021, 09:07:40 PM »
Ent ent ent ah say so- boys versus men- yuh playing with slingshot and man firing cannons
20k us ah month --- you could pull ah man from the school
league and save yuhself lots!
And what dem boys learning from this? You have ANGUILLA RIGHT DEY a- nah yuh arrogance get the better of yuh - gone to take the USA on- FC king madness
See allyu in 20 whatever - qualifying days done - coach getting some nice change for this.
Hurry up Stern make ah name fun yuh self arrange game with TNT is like picking ripe mangoes on the ground - they done fall can't get any lower - well then again - let Anguilla put ah arse kicking on dem
Too much arrogance -
20k us ah month --- you could pull ah man from the school
league and save yuhself lots!
And what dem boys learning from this? You have ANGUILLA RIGHT DEY a- nah yuh arrogance get the better of yuh - gone to take the USA on- FC king madness
See allyu in 20 whatever - qualifying days done - coach getting some nice change for this.
Hurry up Stern make ah name fun yuh self arrange game with TNT is like picking ripe mangoes on the ground - they done fall can't get any lower - well then again - let Anguilla put ah arse kicking on dem
Too much arrogance -
264
Football / Re: Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: January 27, 2021, 06:26:32 AM »I've always been skeptical of "cultural" explanations, as it doesn't stop individuals form achieving. What does though is a lack of professional coaching, a lack of professional teams and a lack of avenues for players to make the next step up
These said deficiencies which are lacking are part and parcel of systemic inadwquacies emanating within our cultural landscape. What factors give rise to these?
Examine the culture of football in countries like : Brazil, England ,Germany . Italy - Mexico and some other LatinAmerican countries - There is almost a raging fanatical devotion to the game and their national team. Coaches and players alike are held to a high regard and to a high degree of accountability for performance.
Some on this board may remember times when we could handle Mexico - we were competitive- ranking in top 50 FIFA - Fast forward today- I would suffice to say we would be battling to beat Anguilla - Barbados and the lesser likes in our region. The propest of facing TnT does no longer drives a fear within our region.
I would even suffice to say that the culture surrounding football has risen ten fold in Jamaica - and that's a tough pill to swallow.
What makes up that culture? - why have we regresed to the depths of bottom feeders? What patterns continue to prevail in our attempts to move forward? It's not all on the TTFA!!!! They are part of the cultural landscape that is situated within the cultural landscape. Players- discipline - mindset- approach and adherence to a professional standard- and even we the fans-- we tend to idolize and glorify only in times of success - long gone it seems that a national pride - a nation on the backs of a team - fans jumping and waving the flag - drum and iron pounding in the stands- days of packed stadiums and a collective uproar are no more-
Those days in the 60's and 70's going to a north south game at Skinner park was an experience!!!!! Intercol - lawd talk about noise and Kicks-Archibald Brewster- Spann Deleon -Benedicts- yes we rang out to the top of our lungs--- ".........,We want ah goal ". Jumping to iron ringing in your ear-
Today we seeing youths In a cu.ture of jump and wave wave yuh rag - glorifying the soca- walk around with yuh pants halfway down yuh ass saying yuh is gangster - the popping of gun now is the sound yuh hearing- bottle and spoon is now silenced .
Yes tell me about the cultural impact on the players of today? Who are their National idols? If their national idols are out frolicking and if there is little incentive to fight for when a system is still dependent on who you know to give you ah chance? There is not the same degree of regional competition - still the attitude that if yuh local yuh inferior- the youngster of Trinidad and Tobago Heritage playing in some level of foreign league or college is clamoured after - just look at all the new thread!!!! Where I stage focus on our local product!!!
Nah we eh give priority to a viable development program- nah just ship out we best and most talented and then they get a free pass on ah national team.
Folks we are seeing what the right honourable Dr. Eric Williams referred to in the 60's as - "brain drain" in this instance is the drawing of our most talented to foreign soil- be it players or coaches- the culture does not support the nurturing of the local product.
Sadly until we do a revamp ab objective audit of all areas impacting football/ athletics perodwe are doomed to inept results- the reliance should not alwYs be on government handouts for sustainability but on all levels of cultural accountability. The Ministry of sports- has anyone ever consider what their daily duties are? I would think that this ministry could lead a National restructuring a national call onall governing g sports bodies to reexamine programs and governance in this country. From schools to community based grassroots teams.
Time for a paradigm shift-Let's all work on a cu,tural revolution in transforming the role of sports in improving our culture rather than allowing our culture to erode our youths ,our people our nation.
265
Football / Re: Thread for USA vs T&T Game (31-Jan-2021)
« on: January 24, 2021, 01:38:16 PM »
Please do t tell me this farcical slaughest is still scheduled even though we are in the middle of a global pandemic, new sanctions by the President , and the financial disposition of the TTFA?
Well we enjoy doing things the hard way - " fuss we harden" well we go feel?
Well we enjoy doing things the hard way - " fuss we harden" well we go feel?
266
Football / Impact of culture on our Success?
« on: January 24, 2021, 07:48:47 AM »
How much of an impact is the success of our National teams on our culture or personality?
I will not indulge in attempting to complete a dissertation but to invite " ole talk" on observations about the intangibles which exist within the control of the individual athlete and the atmosphere he finds himself in.
Some foreign coaches have labelled elements of our culture as one characterized by laid back attitude / and a proclivity for liming/ and partying. If we accept this as part of what is innate to our athletes? What would it take for them to thrive I this environment? Many have and we have had international success!
But how do we sustain it? Harness this success and thrive? We have had many successful footballers who developed their talents from our local schools and leagues, go abroad and achieve success but upon returning to these shores have defaulted to patterns undisciplined actions required to sustain successful performance.
Intne past, how many times have our national teams had to leave the island during carnivalto for focus on playing qualifiers?
How many of our players are able to maintain the personal discipline / drive to adhere to training and lifestyle skill development required to be at the top of their game inTnT?
If they desire to be Professional athletes , it would require more than the possession of natural talent, which sets them apart , but an enduring discipline and competitive drive to rigorous daily practice and training when all others are liming , partying and indulging.
How do coaches instill this? We have witness many national coaches come and go- some foreign born some the sons of our soil who achieved success here and abroad all with the intent of imparting this success- some achieve a degree of success and others fell short. We have seen other countries - even within our region accept and have employed the services of our nationals for their programs yet these same nationals were not able to have an impact or influence the success of our players?
Do we have a flawed system? Or is it the atmosphere in which our players reside to blame? What are the factors required to develop nurture and sustain our success? Which factors reside within the control of players? Which factors do we need to revamp?
What cu.tural shift ought to occur? Born in the 50's seeing our minnows on the international stage in the 60's - PanAmerican games- taking on World Giants Brazil in Trinidad- were feats of marvel! What happened in the ensuing years over the past two decades outside of 2006? These are serious questions our best football minds should be asking. Not that they have not been asked- I recalled either in late 90 ,d a series of symposiums to address football concerns- now I am suggesting that in the pursuit of excellence mYbe the ministry of sports could begin a revamp of our programs, the governance e trusted to oversee these programs and examine supportive measures to e ha e and support individual development of our athletes.
Pouring money into a drain will not fix the leaks- it just goes to those with hallucinating mind numbing thinking of filling their own coffers or erecting monuments like HoF or Centre of Execellence in the name of betterment but may just be some erection to placate their own midlife deficiencies or personal gains.
Today during this current COVID situation is a time there the external elects in the culture could be subdued and the focus and discipline instilled, if I am a local player with dreams of making the national team only to know that all my effort and sacrifice will be for nought pe ding the arrivals of foreign players what is my motivation? If I am a foreign player knowing that I am a shoe in on the team what is my motivation?
I both instances the default to partying and liming is so readily available that no coach or program could influence me.
Folks is time for a revamp of our thinking , governance and levels of support if we want to sustain the 2006 level of achievements.
I will not indulge in attempting to complete a dissertation but to invite " ole talk" on observations about the intangibles which exist within the control of the individual athlete and the atmosphere he finds himself in.
Some foreign coaches have labelled elements of our culture as one characterized by laid back attitude / and a proclivity for liming/ and partying. If we accept this as part of what is innate to our athletes? What would it take for them to thrive I this environment? Many have and we have had international success!
But how do we sustain it? Harness this success and thrive? We have had many successful footballers who developed their talents from our local schools and leagues, go abroad and achieve success but upon returning to these shores have defaulted to patterns undisciplined actions required to sustain successful performance.
Intne past, how many times have our national teams had to leave the island during carnivalto for focus on playing qualifiers?
How many of our players are able to maintain the personal discipline / drive to adhere to training and lifestyle skill development required to be at the top of their game inTnT?
If they desire to be Professional athletes , it would require more than the possession of natural talent, which sets them apart , but an enduring discipline and competitive drive to rigorous daily practice and training when all others are liming , partying and indulging.
How do coaches instill this? We have witness many national coaches come and go- some foreign born some the sons of our soil who achieved success here and abroad all with the intent of imparting this success- some achieve a degree of success and others fell short. We have seen other countries - even within our region accept and have employed the services of our nationals for their programs yet these same nationals were not able to have an impact or influence the success of our players?
Do we have a flawed system? Or is it the atmosphere in which our players reside to blame? What are the factors required to develop nurture and sustain our success? Which factors reside within the control of players? Which factors do we need to revamp?
What cu.tural shift ought to occur? Born in the 50's seeing our minnows on the international stage in the 60's - PanAmerican games- taking on World Giants Brazil in Trinidad- were feats of marvel! What happened in the ensuing years over the past two decades outside of 2006? These are serious questions our best football minds should be asking. Not that they have not been asked- I recalled either in late 90 ,d a series of symposiums to address football concerns- now I am suggesting that in the pursuit of excellence mYbe the ministry of sports could begin a revamp of our programs, the governance e trusted to oversee these programs and examine supportive measures to e ha e and support individual development of our athletes.
Pouring money into a drain will not fix the leaks- it just goes to those with hallucinating mind numbing thinking of filling their own coffers or erecting monuments like HoF or Centre of Execellence in the name of betterment but may just be some erection to placate their own midlife deficiencies or personal gains.
Today during this current COVID situation is a time there the external elects in the culture could be subdued and the focus and discipline instilled, if I am a local player with dreams of making the national team only to know that all my effort and sacrifice will be for nought pe ding the arrivals of foreign players what is my motivation? If I am a foreign player knowing that I am a shoe in on the team what is my motivation?
I both instances the default to partying and liming is so readily available that no coach or program could influence me.
Folks is time for a revamp of our thinking , governance and levels of support if we want to sustain the 2006 level of achievements.
267
Football / Re: Women Warriors Thread
« on: January 22, 2021, 08:01:00 AM »195 coaches worldwide apply for T&T Women's coaching job.
By Walter Alibey (T&T Guardian).
A total of 195 coaches from countries around the world, have applied to be the Senior National Women's coach.
Entry for applicants closed on Tuesday and to date, only Richard Hood, the former national under-20 and under-17 coach is the only name to be known from the list.
The coach who led this country's under-20 women's team to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Under-20 Championships in the Dominican Republic last year confirmed for Guardian Media Sports on Thursday that he has applied for the position when it was advertised last week.
A number of local coaches have applied for the job but Jamal Shabazz, the Morvant Caledonia United owner and managing director, who has coached women's football for many years, said he believes the TTFA should appoint a woman's head coach.
His call comes after Italian Carolina Morace and her staff of Nicola Williams, Elisabetta Bavagnoli and Manuela Tesse, left T&T after some five months of their recruitment in February 2017, for the ever familiar issues of player-indiscipline and no wages.
The T&T Football Association officials were feverishly sorting the stack of applications for the past two days in an effort to announce who will be the country's new coach next week.
Since the invitation went out last week, there was an influx of applicants from countries such as England, Spain, Portugal, Brazil, United States, Italy, Mexico, France, Sudan, Australia, Samoa, and Japan, among many others.
However, the process to select the candidate by the FIFA-appointed Normalisation Committee which is headed by businessman Robert Hadad was not revealed.
How the Fck anyone would expect to see a process to select ah coach? It never had one in the fist place ! Oh shut the firetruck - there is one - start looking at the usual suspects- Hood Corneal and ah set of starving local coaches who looking for job who connected to the recycling network but who are sadly lacking in their depth of player development- international experience and anything beyond the borders of TnT?
Not advocating for foreign coach as the sloution - just a coach with the competency to move a national team beyond training sessions in the savannah!
268
General Discussion / Re: Storming of the White House like the Red House?.
« on: January 22, 2021, 07:25:25 AM »
In this era of political correctness- Is it time to review the name of the "White " House? Maybe to the" "People's House" or Government Centre or ........borrow the name " Centre of Excellence" then yuh go have to deal with ah certain former special advisor?! 
he and Trump could make a nice pair.
he and Trump could make a nice pair.
269
General Discussion / Re: Coronavirus Thread.
« on: January 22, 2021, 07:20:57 AM »
Not getting this- are therenot protocols in place to ensure that one has to be tested negative prior to flying into the country?
270
Football / Re: Terry Fenwick Thread.
« on: January 22, 2021, 07:18:23 AM »Fenwick targets Florida camp ahead of WC qualifiers.So what's new? The same formula of that is been going on for centuries in our national team selection. Put together a " jokey local squad" hold training sessions knowing full well that this is just a transitional team to demonstrate that a coach I'd doing work and in this case getting 20k us a month! Then wait and hastily bring in the foreign star boys to bolster the rooster!!!
By Jelani Beckles (T&T Newsday).
A CAMP in Florida is being planned by Terry Fenwick to give the T&T men’s senior national head coach the opportunity to have a closer look at the US-based T&T players and allow those players to gel with the local-based players.
The countdown is on for the national footballers as the Concacaf World Cup qualifiers are less than three months away.
T&T will start its World Cup qualifying campaign on March 25 against Guyana in Group F.
The group also features Puerto Rico, Bahamas and St Kitts and Nevis.
T&T are currently the highest-ranked team in the group at 105th in the world. St Kitts and Nevis are ranked 139th, Guyana 166th, Puerto Rico 178th and Bahamas 195th.
T&T have been short of preparation leading into the qualifiers as in 2020 the national team did not play any competitive matches because of covid19 and the grappling between FIFA and the United TT Football Association (TTFA). The dispute led to FIFA banning TTFA for two months from September to November. Club football was also at a standstill in T&T during 2020 which kept the players inactive.
“I am hoping to put a camp together in Miami…whereby we can bring in all of the North American players that are available for us for World Cup (qualifiers),” Fenwick told Newsday during a national team training session at the St James Police Barracks, on Sunday.
Fenwick said the camp will help the US-based players and local-based players form a cohesive unit. “We can bring them in. We could bring the best kids that we got available on the ground in T&T, so we merge them together. That will be the start of me putting my squad together for World Cup (qualifiers).”
The camp is expected to last between ten days and two weeks before the qualifiers begin.
Fenwick said most of his squad for the upcoming matches will be foreign-based players because they are match fit.
“There is no doubt that most of my squad, if not all, will be from US, UK generally. Players that are playing in leagues that are competing (and) that are match fit. We have identified a host of new players that when they hit the ground here in Trinidad it will be a shock to most, but I rather leave that until they’re here so we don’t disappoint.”
Fenwick said he will not be able to travel to England to meet T&T footballers based there because the country is under a covid19 lockdown.
“That might be difficult, but I have already identified as many as eight or nine players that I have identified in the UK that are playing at a very good level.”
Fenwick said the UK-based players should be available for the World Cup qualifiers because those matches are played in a FIFA window which allows the players to leave their respective clubs to represent their country.
After Fenwick sees the UK-based players in person he will have to make a quick decision to determine what players fit the team goal.
“When we get them for the World Cup playoff games that will be in FIFA windows so that will be for a week, ten days maximum.
“They are coming in and the first time I see them will be right before the World Cup qualifiers, so I then got to make quick and decisive decisions on my team.”
There is not intent to create a solid local competitive culture that would make earning a spot on the team a level of accomplishment.
How did the present squad earn a tryout? What was the criteria? I suggested before that we employ:
A zonal competition- North South East West Tobago-tournament format- select a local squad following this playoff- take that squad to UK /USA to play those identified as potential players that could represent TnT-
Then pick a national team to play any aganist - Anguilla, India, Venezuela, and any others who are looking to beat we up.
This old formula of just bringing inforeign base players knowing they have secured a position on the team has not been working over a sustainable time for TnT.
Our national team selection needs a new model of creating a competitive climate and establishing a route to success that would be in brained throughout the process- playerswould be acclimitiazing to the process of qualifing for a position locally- getting use to travelling to play foreign players vying for a position prior to playing against other countries. This is incentive laden from the get go. There are current players going through the motions knowing that as soon as the foreign based player is available their position or chance of making the final cut is nonexistent - likewise there are foreign based players who know they can waltz in and be guaranteed a spot on the team.
This process is missing in terms of player development, competitive nurturing, team dynamics and a transparent fair opportunity of selecting the most formidable team. Talent alone will not cut it!!!
There are the intangibles for a local player wanting to make that team so asto procure possible future contracts- foreign players to establish leverage with foreign based clubs- an opportunity it's to be on the biggest stage.
Presently the system in place is deficient and that deficiency will be a deficit and deterrent as the competition intensifies - thenthe sameo.d rants would be played out about coaching and players - without use et giving a thought to the system we have in place from selection of players to coaches.
How possible is it during COVID to travel to US knowing you have to quarantine - set up a camp bring in players from other states and conduct sessions? What testing are available for players? How will the safety of players be ensured? There are some logistics here that given the current situation appears to be missing.
Would it be more feasible to establish a safe secured environment in Trinidad or Tobago invite foreign based players to a try out camp select potential players and then have a mini tournament?
All the way you are building a competitive climate and providing opportunities for development. It is not a given that the starting spots guaranteed are - if you are local and a goalie ( this is short sighted - thinking that technically this position is the least of consideration) secondly if you are a foreign based " star boy" no sweat we holding that position and begging for your services.
Time to stop this madness _ Time to earn your selection- earn your place - the same way for us to get another shot at WCis that we have to earn that spot. Create this thinking - time to transform the way we are currently operating. It's insane to be doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.
Ent ah say so-!!!! How yuh go plan ah camp inFlorida and not think about protocols and quarantine during COVID?
I watching how strict protocols and a bubble is in place in the NHL and I eh know how these planners thinking yuh go just fly up and have camp in USA? The expenses that you will have to incur in travel accommodation player safety ?
Risk involved if players test positive - isolation quarantine - and yuh paying 20k USA to one man!!!!
Look nah - This normalization committee far from acting normal but then again this kinda thinking is normal for one heading up the TTFA.