Messages

121

Football / Re: Latapy set improbable task.

« on: October 17, 2010, 01:11:15 PM »

Sorry to say, but firing Maturana was a mistake in my opinion. 

Maturana was being undermined at every turn.  It made no sense for him to continue on in that environment

that's why he quit....

Sorry to say, but firing Maturana was a mistake in my opinion.

Firing St. Clair in 2000 was a mistake
Firing Fevrier in 2003 was a mistake
Firing Rijsbergen in 2007 was a mistake


Firing Maturana in 2009 was necessary

If u check our record against Central American and caribbean teams under Maturana u will be surprised.

I know de record. Same way we reach we highest ranking under Porterfield, but ah never like him 

that pretty much sums up the opinion of 80% of this board, which is unfortunate. People hold him accountable for four games.

People remember Bermuda, but the don't remember the tactical masterclass he pulled in Guatemala, where despite playing over an entire half down to 10, we forced Guatemala to take low percentage shots from outside the area, while we struck intelligently on the counter and had the better scoring chances and should have won.

People remember Chicago and Nashville but forget that November 19, 2008 was the first time ANY Caribbean team beat a USMNT since November 19, 1994.

People remember Grenada but don't remember in that same Digicel Cup (which we did not host) we played Jamaica...and didn't lose to them. In fact he never lost to them.

He never lose to any side that spoke Spanish.

But everyone rejoiced, when he left, because he was a cancer to our football.

Amen.

we were competing and on our way to dominating the central american opponents, i remember watching tt play against el savador under mats and we were playing a very very impressive short passing game for the first 70 minutes.

we are nowhere close to this level under latas, he undermine the man for the job, latas needs to be asst and if he is, he will undermine that coach, we may need him to distance himself from the program entirely and for him to get work outside and come back 4-8 years from now

The first 70 minutes of the El Salvador game you say? People doh remember that, they remember the last 10 minutes only,  if you lucky, you might get one you remember that Dwight Yorke let Stern John take a penalty while we were 2-0 up for some reason.

122

Football / Re: Final squad announced for Reggae Boyz clash.

« on: October 07, 2010, 06:55:50 PM »

Starting 2 new men in the center back is a big risk.

I would not take it versus jamaica away.

Because... trying out two centre backs in a FRIENDLY  international is not the way to find out who have chemistry?

I just trying to figure out your frame of thinking here...

123

Football / Re: T&T national team's missing pieces

« on: October 06, 2010, 10:16:39 AM »

is the general opinion correct that there are better local players than edwards and makan?  The assumption here that he was not looking at foreign base players such as julius and yohance in recent friendlies, only looking at locals.

i think that is the first and most important question. i'm in no position to answer it because i don't follow the local league enough. but from the little i've seen, there are players who look poor on the international stage but look like generals in the TT pro league. and when i think of that, it always raises that question - do people really know what they talking about when they assume that some other player they like in the pro league can do better than who is being selected?

i don't doubt that there are a few players who haven't gotten the opportunity, that could do a better job of rising to the occasion/international stage. but i doubt people's judgments on the matter, cause I don't think it's easy to recognize who these players are from watching the pro league.

That's the thing, I watch Makan Hislop play for Joe Public in CCL and I wonder if this is the same player everyone maligns for being terrible for national team. He generally looks the most competent of their back four. And is not just me who thinks so, ESPN commentator Shep Messing twice stated in different good he found Hislop to be a good player stuck in a poor defensive system for Joe Public.

124

Football / Re: allyuh remember when Latas Bench Tinto after he score on Mexico in Mexico?

« on: September 30, 2010, 12:08:12 PM »

did anyone ever figure what was the reason behind that? tinto played a borse game and it seems when players shine under latas he does stifle them right after.

it made it look like tinto wasn't going according to plan when he score against mexico.

Just to clarify, does having a borse game simply mean scoring a goal? because after scoring that goal, as well taken as it was, Tinto had zero impact on the game, he was locked out of the game by the Mexicans thereafter.

125

Football / Re: CONCACAF to revisit W'Cup qualifying format

« on: September 30, 2010, 06:45:29 AM »

Why does the USA feel that they are the only team in CONCACAF??

The fact that so many other countries would benefit from this new format should be the major selling point, rather than just a f**king Mexico-USA rivalry.

andrea if the intention was to actually benefit the small countries, would it not have been better to do it at the Gold Cup level. Surely this is more realistic. Make the Gold Cup every 4 years and have a qualification format similar to what they now propose. Now what you have is a WCQ that will have to start in 2011 (3 year qualification) and GC every two years, I can't see the logic.

We already have Gold Cup qualifiers, re: digicel cup.  What is wrong with a youth man from St Lucia getting a chance to play at home against a Costa Rican side? Or the experience of playing in Honduras or Guatemala?  Should that only be reserved for only two caribbean teams (Trinidad and Jamaica). 

Another point is that if qualification starts in late 2011 as they are recommending, then it is a 2 year qualification, since qualification is done by late 2013.

The World Cup is the best way to develop, because as the name states, its the world cup

Playing better teams can lead to countries getting better prepared for games and hence improving the level of the game for the "small" country. 

Now i will admit that there is the chance that teams would get blown away in this format, but that is also a part of development.

While on my honeymoon in Antigua last year, i remember talking to a Vincentian who said that the proudest moment in his "football following career" was when his team lost 5-1 to Mexico in Mexico in the Azteca.  The score was 4-0 half time and they ended the 2nd half 1-1.

ah love it!!

Are you serious. Gold Cup qualifying completely exempts Mexico and the US!

Yeh but imagine if CONCACAF adopted a Gold Cup qualifying system similar to Euro qualifiers. It would have the same effect as revamping the WCQ. IMO it would be actually better for confederation to do this because TWO of the better Caribbean teams, Guadeloupe and Martinique CAN'T take part in WCQ!

126

Football / Re: CONCACAF to revisit W'Cup qualifying format

« on: September 30, 2010, 06:40:31 AM »

Why does the USA feel that they are the only team in CONCACAF??

The fact that so many other countries would benefit from this new format should be the major selling point, rather than just a f**king Mexico-USA rivalry.

andrea if the intention was to actually benefit the small countries, would it not have been better to do it at the Gold Cup level. Surely this is more realistic. Make the Gold Cup every 4 years and have a qualification format similar to what they now propose. Now what you have is a WCQ that will have to start in 2011 (3 year qualification) and GC every two years, I can't see the logic.

This actually makes more sense, the Gold Cup is the tournament they should have placed more focus on revamping, as it stands the US and Mexico don't even play games to qualify. I actually improving the Gold Cup will be a better idea than changing the WCQ process, but the change will give the minnows more of a shot, I'm not necessarily sure that will help Concacaf though.

The thing is if the Gold Cup is properly developed the Mexico-US rivalry can possibly be revived there, but that is wishful thinking at this point.

Well Andre boi, yuh cyar give the Yankees wrong since we keep getting abused by them on the field of play. We especially in T&T have not delivered when ever we had a chance. Lets be honest and look at the results from the last 15 years, at the senior level it seems like when it comes to World Cup qualifiers we are owned by Jamaica, Costa Rica, and USA....(if you doubt meh ask Tallman)

All we have to show is a couple draws in World Cup Qualifiers, forget friendlies bc them games is experimentation. We have only had limited success with Mexico and that has usually come when they already qualified...now what does that say? I luv meh Soca Warriors but until they start showing the heart that the Strike Squad, and the Soca Warriors that played in the 2006 World Cup showed, until then we only TALKING...and we Trinis know how to talk...LOL

I think before every World Cup Qualifier they should put the whole T&T team in a room and let them watch the scene from the Western The Good The Bad and the Ugly..where Tucco says " When you come to kill a man shoot first and talk later"

Amazingly our recent qualifying record has been a lot better than most people realise. We've been to three straight HEXAGONALS. We outright beat a full strength Mexico AT HOME in 2000, drew with a similarly full strength Mexico 1-1 with 10 men at home.

There even was an American article on bigsoccer.com during the last WCQ campaign I believe stating that by managing the reach the Hex once again, we could be considered the fourth power in CONCACAF, (note in THE above article, we are expected in the final group) unfortunately our teams/administration/players have lost the plot (which is what happened in both 2001 and 2009).

127

Football / Re: Behind Shaka's castle of cool

« on: September 27, 2010, 07:23:04 AM »

Behind Shaka's castle of cool
By Lasana Liburd (T&T Express)




But Hislop claimed that staying impartial and conquering his nerves when covering Trinidad and Tobago’s teams was his biggest challenge. He froze on air, for the first time, while doing his maiden Trinidad and Tobago international, which was a 3-0 World Cup qualifying loss to the United States in Chicago.

“I went air silent during one point of the match for what felt like about eight minutes,” he said. “My producer was in my ear demanding an opinion and I just couldn’t find anything to say that was air worthy.”

Hislop was especially unimpressed with the performance of the local Pro League teams in this season’s Concacaf Champions League and believes there might be a connection with the uninspiring form of the national men’s team.

“I found the defending to be particularly naďve and I am surprised at how bad it was,” he said. “Noone wants to stay on their feet and tackle. Everyone wants to lunge in and ‘pelt their blade’ as they say. Any decent striker’s eyes will light up at the prospect of facing a defender who is only interested in the glamorous tackles.

“I am a big Russell Latapy fan but I don’t think he has the players to succeed given what I have seen in the Concacaf Champions League. If those are our best players, then it is no wonder that we are struggling like this.”

See bolded, our defenders don't seem to know the meaning of the word

128

Football / Re: Thread for the Joe Public vs C.S.D. Municipal (23-Sep-2010)

« on: September 23, 2010, 07:49:00 PM »

Dat was ah sitter dat Trent Noel throw away. It look like he pass de ball back tuh de keeper. It was a very good play dat should have culminated in a goal.

Ah find Tinto has stagnated over de last year. He's lacking creativity.

Bredder, tinto lackin ah brain. i had the displeasure of watchin him for the whole CCL and to be honest, he's lackin real bad. toussant on the other hand, now that is ah player.

Cool, I doh normally agree with yuh but yuh spot on.

Most of our "talents" are dunce.

Watching Joe Public in this competition really opens your eye to it.

As for Toussaint, I always rate him and find he should have had a longer stint in national squad, but as Touches point out, one time he does look like the business and next moment he fluffs his lines rel bad.

Another thing I realise watching Joe Public is that Makan Hislop is actually a decent CENTRE BACK.
He has regularly made huge defensive plays for this team and always seems to be the only one in the JP back four who has a clue.

Why Latas does play the poor boy as a wingback is beyond me though.

129

Football / Re: Long road leads back to bigs for LA's Marshall

« on: September 23, 2010, 07:02:22 AM »

Long road leads back to bigs for LA's Marshall
By Luis Bueno (MLSsoccer.com)


Marshall’s whirlwind September has seen him play games in Texas, Puerto Rico and Carson, but the Jamaican-born defender said he was happily surprised by the quick turn of events.

??

People think lax journalism only occurs in Trinidad, they're incorrect.

I remember fondly when we qualified in 2005, FSC said the 2-1 victory against Mexico was the first time we beat them in history, take it with a grain of salt

I believe the author of the article might be confusing Yohance Marshall for MLS veteran, wll known Jamaican Tyrone Marshall, who also had a long stint at Galaxy couple years ago. In fact, if you mentionthe name Marshall in in MLS circles, 9 times out of ten people will think of Tyrone Marshall.

I think this is exactly what happened

130

Football / Re: Long road leads back to bigs for LA's Marshall

« on: September 23, 2010, 06:32:16 AM »

Long road leads back to bigs for LA's Marshall
By Luis Bueno (MLSsoccer.com)


Marshall’s whirlwind September has seen him play games in Texas, Puerto Rico and Carson, but the Jamaican-born defender said he was happily surprised by the quick turn of events.

??

People think lax journalism only occurs in Trinidad, they're incorrect.

I remember fondly when we qualified in 2005, FSC said the 2-1 victory against Mexico was the first time we beat them in history, take it with a grain of salt

131

Football / Re: Narrow 1-0 victory for T&T over Antigua.

« on: September 20, 2010, 12:00:58 PM »

JORSLING'S GOAL GIVES T&T 1-0 WIN OVER ANTIGUA
Shaun Fuentes (TTFF)



T&T line up
Jan Michael Williams (1)
Keston Williams (6)
Kern Cupid (5)
Jovin Jones (14)
Daneil Cyrus (19)
Lester Peltier (15)/Ataulla Guerra (4)- 62nd
Hughtun Hector (7)
Kevon Carter (11)/Clyde Leon (2) - 67th
Anthony Wolfe (10)
Devorn Jorsling (9)/ Jamal Gay (17)- 70th
Juma Clarence (/ Jason Marcano (13) - 46th

Substitutes not used

Kevin Graham (21), Jesse Stewart (16), Aklie Edwards (3), Keron Cummings (12), Densill Theobald (18)

Amazing this line up looks like one of the better local teams Latapy put out...including some names ppl have been clamouring for...Akile bench and all and we still eh look good? things that make yuh go hmmm ent?

132

Football / Re: Latapy urged Shahdon Winchester to move to Celtic.

« on: September 10, 2010, 08:03:58 AM »

Latapy urged Shahdon Winchester to move to Celtic.
By: Paul Hughes (thescottishsun).

It’s up to you new Yorke

Russell Latapy has urged Trinidad superkid Shahdon Winchester to seize his chance of a dream move to Celtic.
Teenager Winchester - hailed as the new Dwight Yorke - arrived at Parkhead yesterday on a two-week trial.

And Latapy insists the dreadlocked 18-year-old will show Neil Lennon he's ready for a crack at the big time.

Striker Winchester, who has already been capped by Trinidad and Tobago, has been eyed by a string of English clubs. But Lennon has edged ahead in the race for his signature by bringing him over to Scotland from his local side W Connection.

Latapy said: "Shahdon is a fantastic young talent, a real little star. Our fans love him because he's one of the brightest young stars our country has produced.

"With the right guidance, the right opportunity and the right club he can go a long way.

"You need luck in football and it depends what Lennon wants him to do.

"But he's got the ability, no doubt about it.

"If I had to make a comparison I'd say Shahdon is like Dwight Yorke.

"He's got a lot of the same attributes. He runs at people, is super-strong and loves scoring goals.

"If he takes this chance and impresses, then he would be a fantastic player for Celtic."

Winchester has already knocked back a deal from Portuguese side Sporting Braga, with Dutch giants Ajax also keen.

But after seeing how much of a success Latapy was here at Falkirk, Hibs and Rangers, Winchester would love the chance to emulate him.

Latapy, now boss of Trinidad and Tobago with Yorke as his assistant, added: "I didn't want to say too much to Shahdon. I wanted him to find out for himself.

"He's one of the kids who plays local to me and works with the national squad all the time.

"He's powerful for a young man and has great composure on the ball.

"He's not afraid to work hard and maybe he's just a little bit shy.

"But his confidence should soar if he gets the chance at Celtic. He'll win a lot of games."

Are Ajax really interested? I'd love to see him go there.

I agree he fits the mould of a Latapy more than a Yorke, but remember Yorke didn't start as an out and out striker either, Latas would know better than most, we would hope..

133

Football / Re: Latapy is not ready for this level of Coaching

« on: September 09, 2010, 12:57:57 PM »

Latapy's record...

Click Here

Was he at the helm when we lost 3-0 to the USA or was Afro in charge?

If you count from the Costa Rica game TT has played 12 matches....he has won 3 vs El Salvador WCQ, Antigua and Barbuda and St.Kitts/Nevis.

He has drawn 1....vs Mexico in the HCS WCQ.

He has lost 8.....Costa Rica 3-2, Honduras 4-1, Costa Rica 4-0, Chile 2-0, JA 3-1 and Panama 3-0, USA 1-0 and Mexico 2-1.

Usa 1-0 was in the HCS and Mexico 2-1 was in the Azteca.


Honestly....the man have a losing record and it ent no 1-0 loss....we collecting goal in Grap...even St Kitts and Antigua score goals on us....clean sheet hard to come by....wha dat telling yuh.

 

Mats was in charge for US, with Latapy as his assistant his last game.

Maturana's record 18 wins, 16 draws and 6 losses is still the only winning record I remember any coach having in recent memory..just food for thought.

Wim's record is 6 wins, 4 draws and 8 losses. Creditable, i guess..

134

Football / Re: Latapy is not ready for this level of Coaching

« on: September 09, 2010, 12:55:59 PM »

Latas is taking a wrong-headed approach.  Securing the D must be his top priority. Against Panama, these fellas were advancing the ball from the back third into the final third with some real authority. No local side doing since 2007. That is where Latapy is concentrating his efforts.

Ent that is the most common complaint of fans on the forum, that we can't put 2-3 passes together, that our short passing game is poor? Well look closely, Latapy curing that sickness.


But the drawbacks in his defence FAR OUTWEIGH the abilities of the midfield to move the ball around and forwards to score.

If what you sayin here is accurate, IT MAY BE that Latas feels that even with a stingy defence, if our midfield isn't able to keep possession, we will only turn the ball over thus inviting more pressure on an already under pressure defence.

PERHAPS his strategy is to tend to this area FIRST AND FOREMOST, and THEN look at the defence.

That's the only potentially plausible theory I can muster up to explain what's been happening.

I considered that but

(1) Midfield posession strategy is unworkable on THIS side without strong defensive capability, and if that was the strategy its clearly not working.


(2) . if neither the mids or defenders are WINNING the ball then pro-active posession is difficult. In the Panama game our posession was not the result of ball winning but a counter-attack strategy by Panama, who put their midfield deeper into their own half. That was why we had a good knock, and why it tended to die out right on top their box.

Against an aggressive team/strategy we will not enjoy that kind of posession because the ball winning aspect is not being slapped into dem players. 

(3) Ball possession and defensive work in the midfield are not mutually exclusive. They two sides of the same coin. Even if they were, the coach should be spending a significant amount of time and resources drilling defensive awareness, team building and supportive play and just plain skills building CONCURRENT with ball posession. here is latapy's major failure.

For all I know you could be correct tho. Perhaps Latas is imparting what he knows and building defence later simply because he does not posess that expertise as yet. But that is still poor management...either he wants to go it alone or the TTFF is not supporting the man, or maybe both

That is the key problem right there, it is the major failure of Latapy and it will hurt any team he coaches, even if he had Maldini, Pique, Puyol and Maicon in the back four.

135

Football / Re: Latapy is not ready for this level of Coaching

« on: September 09, 2010, 09:40:43 AM »

To both Preacher and Bake n Shark who skimmed or read select parts of my post:

Rationale is not usually exercised on this forum, so I hope my rationale manages to pervade against the odds here.


I am not defending Latapy, if anyone has paid attention to my posts about his coaching before, I have long pointed out how tactically suspect he has been since his first two games in the Hex.
Therefore, I am not surprised by the results we have been experiencing although like most of you it saddens me.

Now with regard to your second point about the world ranking and England

2. Everybody understands that the UK isn't the only destination for our players... but unfortunately we don't get to pick and choose where our players play internationally.  Very few teams are going to sign a caribbean player without some international experience.  There is a natural link with the UK sides because they've been scouting here for the longest while... is only recently that teams from Sweden, Hungary, Turkey etc. have started signing our players... and the vast majority have been internationals or players with experience in the UK.  So you cannot discount the point about FIFA ranking.

I can:
Firstly do you remember how Hyland end up in Belgium? Wasn't it a work permit issue after Portsmouth couldn't get one he was sent to their affiliate team in Belgium?

Secondly, losing friendly matches WILL NOT drop the ranking as much as LOSING COMPETITIVE GAMES. So if we need to realise what garbage we doing in friendly internationals to put together a good performance in the competition, be it Digi, Gold Cup or World Cup qualifying, I'm cool with that, savvy?

136

Football / Re: Latapy is not ready for this level of Coaching

« on: September 09, 2010, 08:35:37 AM »

However, I much rather us lose FRIENDLY INTERNATIONALS which carry nothing more than bragging rights and learn our lesson than goad ourselves into false sense of what is going on by winning them, hence missing out on the big picture

losing  affects rankings also eh  ..  do expect our ranking to drop and  is now player eh qualifying for UK work permits

The UK is not the only place for our players to go. IN FACT, unless yuh playing for the big 8 in the Prem, it is NOT WHERE I want our players to go.

Thank for continuing to be small minded...

137

Football / Re: Do we have a new NATIONAL ANTHEM?

« on: September 09, 2010, 07:38:03 AM »

I want to know if in recent time someone did a remix of OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM because on Sunday while i was at the game, and feeling very proud of our Soca Princesses, i was very confused while singing OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. While i was singing, Side by side we stand, which is the second verse of OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, the audio in the stadium was playing Here every creed and race find an equal place, and i questioned myself as if i did not even know OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM, i then said to myself maybe my mind was playing tricks on me and i left it like that.

Now, while settling down to watch the game on Wednesday at home i wondered to myself if the same thing would happen and yes it did to my disappointment. Once again the second verse was left out and for what reason, could someone explain the the national public as to why. We are hosting this tournament and there is no reason in my mind why we should truncate OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM. Will any of the "FIRST WORLD" countries allow their NATIONAL ANTHEM to be truncated at any tournament? I somehow doubt that.

I don't know if it is possible for someone to shed some light on this disgusting situation for me because as a patriotic TRINI i would like the opportunity for the whole of OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM to be sung at this tournament and any other tournament that TRINIDAD and TOBAGO take part in.

On a final note, could someone please tell the Soca Princesses that it would be nice to see all of the girls singing OUR NATIONAL ANTHEM and not just a few, the other countries have been doing it.

At World Cups they attempt to keep the lenght of the anthems under a minute or something like that. Uruguay's anthem was notably cut in SA as well. Their Anthem is actually four minutes long though.

138

Football / Re: Latapy is not ready for this level of Coaching

« on: September 09, 2010, 07:02:48 AM »

Rationale is not usually exercised on this forum, so I hope my rationale manages to pervade against the odds here.

Alot of you people on this board are getting emotionally carried away and over-reacting.

I am not defending Latapy, if anyone has paid attention to my posts about his coaching before, I have long pointed out how tactically suspect he has been since his first two games in the Hex.

Therefore, I am not surprised by the results we have been experiencing although like most of you it saddens me.

However, I much rather us lose FRIENDLY INTERNATIONALS which carry nothing more than bragging rights and learn our lesson than goad ourselves into false sense of what is going on by winning them, hence missing out on the big picture.

Not many of you who have crucified Latapy have actually put any kind of analysis to what the team and players are doing wrong. Instead everyone has their quick fix solutions which will have minimal effect on our progress. Many of you in general continue to be as clueless as Latapy appears to be.

Call back our best players to play meaningless matches for what?

So that alyuh could feel good while our tactical weakness will be ignored just because we had a good result?

We have poor depth, that's true. However, Panama won 3-0 and didn't look like a better team in terms of talent than us. They played strengths versus our weaknesses and won.

That's called tactical awareness.

And if we have to lose a couple friendly matches for us to figure that out, even if it means the heads realising Latapy is not the man to lead, I'm ok with that.

139

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (07-Sept-2010).

« on: September 07, 2010, 08:58:23 PM »

nice attempt who was no. 11?

Kevon Carter, whenever we do something decent he and Jorsling combine...

140

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T Women's U-17 World Cup (Sept 2010).

« on: September 05, 2010, 06:34:49 PM »

The skipper #5 is the best player on the team.  She held the defense well. 

Real general.

Remember she wasn't the original skipper....now we know why she took the arm band even after having joined the team a few short months before....

Oh and before ah forget

Pellerud for Senior Men's coach!!!...

LOL, I wouldn't go so far, but you can tell when a coach understands what Defensive structure and shape is all about...

141

Football / Re: Where is the defense coming from ?

« on: September 01, 2010, 09:39:59 AM »

key to defense is the tactics, we focus too much on the individual players. It is not as simple as finding the 4 best defenders and putting  them on the field.

The coach need to figure out what is teh defensive strategy and then pick the players that can execute the startegy.

People talk about akelee edwards being a poor defender at international level but you have a man like keon Daniel playing in from of him on the wing, who does not run back which leads to 2V 1 situations which results in no chance for edwards to stop attacks down our left side. (Us game in Chicago)

the same edwards is playing for Defense force and they are giving up very few goals and dominating the pro league.

Part of being sucessful is being put in a position to succeed.

Our biggest issue with defense is that we do not realize it is a team effort.

you cannot blame one man for getting burn and being a poor defender when a major part of defending is cover.

If edwards get burn on the flank who is covering for him.


Defense is more than just finding a man who nobody can pass.
it is more complicated than that!

That goes without saying. yuh could have the best defensive plan in place, but if yuh don't have the right players to execute the plan then it's all fall down.

as for the keon daniel aklie edwards scenario, i remember JLLoyd played against the U.S. with keon on the left side, and he did quite well with the team only conceding one goal and a spirit goal @ that. 

my philosophy, class goes a longer way than strategy, but strategy and class together is a recipe for success. those player whom i afore mentioned is not in the international class bracket, they need not apply.

as for defense force leading the pro league and aklie being part of that defensive structure. bredder do you, or have you been watching the concacaf champions league? every team we send yr after yr looks out of their league, real poor and out of sorts, it's like night and day compared to MLS and central american teams.

not dogging our league, but if yuh said aklie was playing for ah champoinship team and they were leading the league, or even an SPL team, i would be forced to reconsider, but PFL? comon KND give me a break son.

Excellent post KND2

Just Cool, i think you completely missing his point, and I will prove it using that very US game as an example.

First of all, Keon Daniel DID NOT start that game, Carlos Edwards started on the left and regularly switched flanks with Tinto.

With Carlos and or Tinto being a presence on left offensively and in the case of Carlos defensively as well, the US right back did not venture forward.

Why because it was a double gamble, he would have worry about Carlos' speed on the counter and would also have to elude him while trying to create a play going forward, making Jlloyd's job easier.

Secondly, that was probably the best defensive game we played under Latapy. We frustrated the United states because every time we lost the ball, the team worked to regain possession. Our two defensive midfielders (Leon and Noel) combined well to close down passing lanes and forced numerous errors and turnovers. Donavan was hardly allowed any time on the ball. Dempsey was a non-entity in the game.

That had nothing to do with the awesomeness of our back four, because as you say: two throwaways started that game. Abu Bakr started at CB for that game with an over the hill Dennis Lawrence. American sports media outlets almost unanimously stated Bakr was the most competent cog of our back who had to clean up errors made by Lawrence and Silvio Spann.

As for Akile and the continued ignorance of what players actually do well and when a system fails, how many goals have we actually conceded due to an error by Akile Edwards on the left?

Fact: most of the goals we concede are due to errors made by our RIGHT BACK then a lapse by the central defensive pairing.
The "spirit" goal we conceded against the US was after our right back Silvio Spann was outfoxed by Donavan and the ball played out to Clark to shoot.

And even when Akile is beaten, where is the rest of the defensive line or his cover?

Just my two cents

142

Football / Re: Thread for the Joe Public vs Santos Laguna (18-Aug-2010).

« on: August 18, 2010, 08:04:15 PM »

Watch meh them Mexican coulda score bout 5 more and they do it easy easy .

See why we doh get no respect in football.

Joe Public was the luckiest team ever in  the first half, Jabloteh look better collecting five in Mexico dan Joe Public look for 65 minutes of that game.

I was confused when they game was 2-2.

143

Football / Re: Thread for the Joe Public vs Santos Laguna (18-Aug-2010).

« on: August 18, 2010, 07:28:04 PM »

Nigel Daniel still looking like he could play ball tho...

144

Football / Re: Latapy "Rage QUIT Plz" Thread

« on: August 16, 2010, 09:00:46 AM »

even if all the talk about Latas being clueless, he did NOT appoint himself.

Clearly the man has ambitions and is a patriot.  He used to come to play all kinda useless games for T&T back in de day...many here jes come so dey eh know this.

Latas eh wore dan most ah we former coaches.


The players eh up to it it is his job to get them there...he cannot do it over night!

True, but he's had OVER A YEAR.  What improvement have you seen?

145

Football / Re: Panama - T & T , friendly September 7

« on: August 16, 2010, 08:48:24 AM »

lets see what defensive changes Latas make?

Akile to right back and Hislop to left back.

Latapy actually did that vs Jamaica and it was worst, he had to change them back. I hear Andre Baptiste flipping out when it happened. I kid you not.

I myself was very surprised. Because I remember under Maturana and Latapy was assistant, Hislop was played at right back and got exposed vs USA, he removed him at the half, I think Anthony Wolfe was place at right back instead.

The Maturana/Latapy combination was heart-attack football at its best.

Under Latapy now, we up side down. You have to change up your thinking and start thinking back-to-front just to understand what Latapy is doing.

Actually it was Wolfe who started and he was regularly drawn out of possession by Landon Donavon and the over lapping US left back...leading to the first goal and numerous other chances...he was subbed at the half

Hislop was brought on at the half, and Donavan exposed his lack of pace, leading to Altidore's third...

146

Football / Re: Latapy "Rage QUIT Plz" Thread

« on: August 16, 2010, 08:24:27 AM »

Amazing that we don't have 1000 threads on FIRE, TTFF. But poor Latas, like every other coach under fire for one dam exhibition game. steups

I agree with this, every time T&T loses a game, this board over-reacts, who must go, who can't play, who can't coach etc.

HOWEVER, i do not believe criticism of Latapy is unwarranted...

Yuh know we eh really do as badly as people feel with de shit team we have.

For instance we lost 3-2 to Costa Rica Bacolet Tobago
lose 2-1 to mexico in Mexico Azteca
beat Antigua and den El Slavador
lost 4-1 to Honduras  (dem always we cutting we arse, especially in Honduras)
lose 1-0 to the USA in POS
Den collect 4 from CR in CR (No real surprise at all)
Draw with Mexico 2-2 in POS
lose 2-0 in Chile to a World Cup team dat lit up South Africa (we took a local team again)
We den beat Antiugua 4-1 and den lose to Jamaica

That is with mostky local players from de Por league.

The truth is the standard of our play is very weak compared to past teams.

With the foreign players I expect a better showing.

Jesus could come and coach this team...they not going to improve overnight

Again though, yuh missing the point... is not just about the fact that we losing, but HOW we losing, and the fact that the team has seemingly regressed under Latapy.  For crissakes, somebody has to play defense.  If we want to play with a more attacking flair then fine, but put players on the field who can play defense, and if they can't then get somebody else.  He keeps playing the same players and getting similar results but doesn't seem inclined to make changes. 

Has Birchall even been given a chance under Latas watch?  Is there any real debate that he's our best defensive midfielder?  A blacklist by any other name is just that.  I never was in the business of campaigning for man job but something needs to be done to improve the team and it can't all be about the players.

Bake n Shark hit the nail right on the head, Trinity Cross you batting for Latas out of sentimentality more than anything.

From his first game in charge as coach Latapy has shown very little astuteness in terms of switching game plans for changing situations, nor has he implemented a defensive structure which would protect our back four (which even with our so called best players would remain our weakest suit).

That is mark of an inexperienced coach. Jamaica only looked miles ahead of us because they had a plan and adjusted as the game went on.

Well said. There is another dimension as well, something that most of here may not see, and that is a lack of leadership and CLEAR DIRECTION by the TTFF. Terry Fenwick, whether yuh love him or hate him, pointed this out as far back as March.

(From TTproleague.com.) "We have to understand that the TTFF deliberated very long before announcing "No Change!" and Russell (Latapy) continued as head coach. Most will see National football since 2006 WC qualification as a huge failure, and yet we see the same old people in their comfortable positions calling the shots all over again. The TTFF will reduce their argument to lack of funding but we see the same inexperienced back room management continuing where they have failed before.
"The TTFF is not doing their bit in providing professional and competent support for Russell as National coach. So we are not giving him a chance. We recently saw Marvin Faustin, nice guy, recruited as assistant coach but now we have not one, but two very inexperienced coaches with no real program going forward.

"My comments are not meant to offend but merely extend an opinion on a professional basis. When it all turns sour for Russell, the TTFF will undoubtedly turn to Dwight as the next step. Only when these two National hero's have ruined their coaching careers will the TTFF look further than the end of their noses. I think it is very unfair on both Russell and Dwight to be exposed in this way. I believe Russell is doing the job for all the right reasons but is ill equipped to succeed."

"I think we should be doing much better than we are at every level...unfortunately inexperience and lack of competence at management level will have us fall short in meaningful competitions." ended the Jabloteh coach.




So  we not only have to contend with Latapy’s personal shortcomings as a coach, but the TTFF incompetence, which is likely adding fuel to the fire. Which worse only God knows.

The only  realistic way out of this is if TTFF hires a top flight, tough minded coach who is not beholden to the federation. We need another Beenhakker to get results from the player pool and stand up to the JW at the same time.

Again this is correct, the administration of local football has to change, then we cold set up a structure that will help our team.

147

Football / Re: Happy Birthday Palos

« on: August 15, 2010, 08:56:31 AM »

All the best man, have a great one!

148

Football / Re: Panama - T & T , friendly September 7

« on: August 15, 2010, 08:55:11 AM »

Belize have a football team?

Well at least it's in Belize. That makes it tougher.

The Panama game should be a good sweat.

Why can't we get a Mexico or Colombia?

VB

Yuh think Latapy want to lose anymore games.   

Panama beat Venezuela midweek, so that not looking no easy win for Latas at all...

149

Football / Re: D Touches Match Report TT vs JA

« on: August 12, 2010, 07:14:32 AM »

Folks...I love Latapy as a player....but as a coach he clueless. Is a Maradonna he doing we...and I will go so far as to say that right now he making Maturana look like Mourinho.

I cyar believe the "Afro" had this side looking so much better, with nearly the same personnel and Latapy was outcoached tonight in a big way.

Buh ent plenty big people on this on this board say Latas will do soooo much better that Mats? Ent if latas was in charge since x date..we woulda qualify for WC or at least cruise into the Gold Cup 2009?

Anyways....

From Latapy's third game in charge i realised he lacks a defensive strategy structure. So any competent team will ravage us. He coachs much like he plays. A lot of flair going forward, but not much consideration on defence.

So the licks we collect eh surprise me.

We need a coach who plays a structure that will allow our team to be competent offensively and defensively.

In the end it is the poor structure that makes Keon Daniel beat a man and then have nobody to find the middle.

We could pick the absolute best XI, but until we have a coach with a proper plan and PLAYERS with actual tactical awareness to execute and adjust when needed. We eh going no where.

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Football / Re: Jones to Stoke??

« on: August 11, 2010, 01:40:56 PM »

I find Bruce dotish.

1) Didn't a bigger offer come last season or in January (Spurs, Liverpool...stand corrected)

2) 3 Days before your first game

3) Where is the replacement striker? Honestly it ent easy to get a man to pot 8-10 goals for small money.

4) ....and this is the biggest 4kup he make....he sell one of his better players to a DIRECT RIVAL.

Is one thing to sell yuh player to a top 8 team....but when you sell to a team on your level...it will come back to bite you in the arse.


I wish Jones the best of luck and I hope his performances at Stoke can be consistent. I also want him to rest it on Bruce and Sunderland when next they meet.

I second this...altho Bruce does have Frazier-Campbell and expect Wellbeck on loan.

why I think this a bad move by Sunun is because prior to and injury and an extended red card band.the Jones-Bent tandem was one of the top strike partnerships in the Premiership and to be honest, when he came back Kenwyne wasn't playing badly for Sunlun, he wasn't scoring, but he was still linking Bent to buss the net.

I think it's a bad move for Kenwyne as well, for most of the reasons Dinho pointed. Stoke City does not strike me as a team that will improve him as a player.

They may play to his strengths but in so doing they may also make him a one-dimensional player.

On the flipside, with supposed guaranteed playing time and a team playing to your strengths, IF A GOOD SEASON OF GOALSCORING FOLLOWS, Stoke may well raise his stock enough for him to move to a better team.

All the best brother.