Messages

61

Football / Re: McComie suspended pending investigation.

« on: August 05, 2012, 01:22:43 PM »

If this is in fact true, that is nothing really new in T&T youth football.  I can tell you the one and only Dwight Yorke was asked to run for the duration of practice and he did it.  Now fortunately, nothing happended to Yorke, but I've seen that before in person.  In fact, I joke about it all the time but as youth coach now, I fully understand that was a stupid thing for the coach to do.  The irony of the situation was that McCommie was on that team and I'm pretty certain he was there when this happened with Yorke.  Doesn't surprise me in the least but I would think with football today this would never happen.

Ah sure Yorke get at least water?

To be honest, he may or may not have, difficult to remember something 25 years ago...  But I remember the coach forget he was actually running so it's possible he may not have.  Either way that is the environment McCommie grew up in, nontheless, things have changed now.  In that era being thirsty was a weakness, a sign of being unfit.  Truth be told, until I left trini in '91, we were brainwashed with that sh!t.... In fact, two coaches who threw out that facade was Kenny Thomas (Gustine's coach) and Mike Grayson (my Arima coach at the time)... Why did they? They both were educated in the US....  Sad that this nonsense could still be going on....

62

Football / Re: McComie suspended pending investigation.

« on: August 05, 2012, 10:09:15 AM »

If this is in fact true, that is nothing really new in T&T youth football.  I can tell you the one and only Dwight Yorke was asked to run for the duration of practice and he did it.  Now fortunately, nothing happended to Yorke, but I've seen that before in person.  In fact, I joke about it all the time but as youth coach now, I fully understand that was a stupid thing for the coach to do.  The irony of the situation was that McCommie was on that team and I'm pretty certain he was there when this happened with Yorke.  Doesn't surprise me in the least but I would think with football today this would never happen.

63

Football / Re: T&T U-17 devours BVI 23-nil.

« on: July 25, 2012, 01:20:02 PM »

Goodness!! we need a mercy rule... That's just demoralising to the opposition... 23....

64

Football / Re: Silverbacks Name Brian Haynes Assistant Coach

« on: July 13, 2012, 06:27:30 AM »

I live in Atlanta and to my knowledge Wynalda is not the coach of the Silverbacks.  In fact I believe he coaches a team in CA.  Don't believe this is true but I may be wrong.... I guess that happens when yuh really don't like the Silverbacks....

65

Football / Re: Players I expected big from but never live up.

« on: June 15, 2012, 06:01:44 AM »

Ivan Sampson stands out to me on that list. The guy became a household name in South Trinidad (and even today ppl older folks does still talk about him) after some massive intercol seasons. At one point he was in the same sentance with Dwight Yorke.

Was poised to be the next great thing.

Went to the US for college.. yuh know the rest...

As a personal friend of Sam and back then of Dwight as well, you're off... they were never in the same class.   You guys have no idea how hard a worker Dwight was and what he could really do as a youngster... Dwight was a freak of nature... Ivan was very very talented but Dwight was on another level.  That said, if they both had the same opportunities, I think Ivan would have made it to the pros as well.

66

Football / Re: UEFA Euro 2012 Thread.

« on: June 10, 2012, 01:16:13 PM »

Is it just me or someone is blowing a whistle in the stands causing the players to stop..

I hearing it too...especially on the Irish goal..

67

Football / Re: Hard work paying off for Gay.

« on: May 01, 2012, 05:36:08 PM »

I wish the kid the best.  He had multiple scholarship offers on the table (I know this as fact because I was tasked in helping him come to my alma mater) but once he got called up to the senior team I told them he was off limits.  Soon after he went to Germany (couldn't fault him for that).  He is right in saying he is not skillful but he scores and guys get big money to score.  I really hopes he gets another opportunity to play abroad.

68

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T U-23 vs Honduras U-23 Game (03-27-2012).

« on: March 27, 2012, 08:40:45 PM »

What is evident to me is that we still lack discipline in our approach.  piss poor defending. 3 vs 2 and they still score... man ball watching as the ball coming in the box... really lackadaisical approach. 

We need to grow up as a football nation.  It's sad that teams have the same scouting report on us for the past 20-30 years.... good speed, some good individual ability, lack discipline in defending, cannot play under pressure, over aggressive at times, cannot play the give and go...cannot handle cross balls.  Same sh!t, different players, same result.... It sucks man....

69

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T U-23 vs Honduras U-23 Game (03-27-2012).

« on: March 27, 2012, 07:52:30 PM »

Ah try not to kill men but common Marchand.. Really?  Really?  Come if yuh fricken coming man

Man now coming off a concussion. Ah understand a lil bit him breaksing to come out.

Well doh play him OR ask not to play.... No excuses dread

70

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T U-23 vs Honduras U-23 Game (03-27-2012).

« on: March 27, 2012, 07:48:36 PM »

allyuh sure it eh have polio in trini...we fellas lookin cripple.

71

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T U-23 vs Honduras U-23 Game (03-27-2012).

« on: March 27, 2012, 07:48:01 PM »

Ah try not to kill men but common Marchand.. Really?  Really?  Come if yuh fricken coming man....This GK has been very disappointing all tournament long.... Angus, dais the best GK we have?  really?

72

Football / Re: Sporting Kansas City waives defender Daneil Cyrus

« on: February 24, 2012, 08:59:41 AM »

Cyrus played 2 games and got injured, they paid his bill to recover and honor their contract, no one know the shape he is in since he came back.

Cyrus only went to SKC on a loan with an option to sign.

Why is everyone piss off here ?

They refuse to sign him, big deal !!!!

Cyrus is a good player and will only move up from here providing he keeps his head on. I believe he will go far because I really like this youth, this might be a blessing for him.

SKC had no choice, they need to free up an international spot. They have rules on foreigners, something we should do in our league, bring back a limit of 5 foreign players to a team. Even de EPL doing it now.

Yuh right.....  I didn't know they had a "right" to develop anybody.  Football is big business.  Nobody eh nuturing nobody.  Is either yuh good enough or not.  I'm sure Cyrus is well aware of that.  Who knows, perhaps they'll point him to their USL team and he'll earn his way back. 
It's sad the resentment some dudes have on this site about the MLS.  Comparing the MLS to the TTPL is no comparison.

73

Football / Re: Sick

« on: December 20, 2011, 12:05:30 PM »

Fools rush in!! 

74

Football / Re: Trini duo making mark on U.S soil.

« on: December 13, 2011, 02:14:16 PM »

the question is when time to pick...who they representing.

don't they have to be good enough first to get pick? Their conference isn't that competitive

Sometimes it's about the availability of offers and who is advising them.  I'd say sometimes men just want an opportunity and that's an individual decision where they decide to go. 

I agree with you. I was just referring to "who they representing" as I took that to mean that they are qualified enough to be considered for the national team.

  I hear you.  I wish I had the opportunity to speak with kids at 13 or 14 to explain to them what it takes to be successful here in the US.  Luckily my HS coach went thru the US system when I was in trini  but even then I was so ignorant about the process.  It is so so important for kids to understand at a young age the opportunities available to them when they are good players with strong academic qualifications. 

75

Football / Re: Trini duo making mark on U.S soil.

« on: December 13, 2011, 11:03:47 AM »

the question is when time to pick...who they representing.

don't they have to be good enough first to get pick? Their conference isn't that competitive

Sometimes it's about the availability of offers and who is advising them.  I'd say sometimes men just want an opportunity and that's an individual decision where they decide to go. 

76

Football / Re: Trini duo making mark on U.S soil.

« on: December 13, 2011, 07:05:43 AM »

But I think that they need to transfer to a more reputable school in the NCAA than this small school in the NAIA.  Playing in such a small 1000 enrollment school in a minor athletics conference will not give them the exposure and competition they need.

I get the thrust of what you're saying ... yet, nearly every time one of our college players gets a mention here or a mention there, someone seems to think that the player merits a bigger stage. On what basis? The first thing is to celebrate that these youths are excelling where they are ... it would be worse if they were toiling in absolute obscurity.

Beyond that, there are several players on the US collegiate scene who penetrate the "big time" having spent time toiling in the trenches. If these fellas deserve a bigger platform, supply and demand will work that out.

On this case I can attest that Jevaughn had more than one scholarship opportunity available to him at major D1 schools.  In fact he was already accepted to one but he couldn't meet the NCAA academic requirements in order to play.  The only way he'd be able to transfer is to a D1 school would be to get through the NCAA clearing house.  Thus if he couldn't meet those requirements out of high school, he would have to get his Associates degree in order to transfer and play.   Nonetheless, he is a very very good player. 

77

Football / Re: The benefits of the SSFL

« on: December 06, 2011, 02:29:07 PM »

I have sat back and read most of all the comments and one clear distinction is missing.  Let's be honest, Grovy not necessarily developing players at St. Anthony's, he merely recruits them.  That's what the high schools do now recruit.  It started with Sando Tech.  I would like to know how many of the top players in the SSFL playing with pro clubs and on the national youth teams? 

Allyuh really think Kenny Thomas develop Jerren Nixon or Grovy develop Kenwyn Jones?  Really?  Now, did they have a hand in their development, yes, but I'll argue the clubs and the jr national teams had a lot more influence. 

When I played in the SSFL in the late 80's early 90's, by that time I would say my most meaningful training sessions and development took place "training" with the national team.  Was I good enough to play with the starting eleven or even make the national youth teams, (probably/probably not) but I've always said Ronald Alexis (Eggs) was tough but the best coach I've ever had fundamentally.  He coached me for 2 years with the national U13 and U14 teams.  National team training sessions, playing and training with the best brings out the best in you.

All this to say, I agree, from a strictly development standpoint the SSFL is not the best place but it does give the players a platform to perform.  The people in the know (national team coaches and fellow players) knew about Dwight Yorke before Signal Hill but the avg person did not.  SSFL gave him the platform to be seen and thus he took off. 

We have got to go back to having zonal youth teams to provide sufficient coaching (similar to ODP in the US) and from that development they can go on to the national teams.  This will allow for a broader pool of players to be coached effectively.  Bottom line is we technically had the structure in the past but it appears somewhere along the line we lost it.

Hoss you talkin rell shit!!  Nuff man pass straight into St. Anthony's and join the team.  Of course there are players that come over from other schools and such but to claim de man eh developing players and only recruits shows yuh either rell ignorant or don't want to give credit where it is due.  Ask players who played for SAC and you'd be hard pressed to find any that would say he was not instrumental in their development.  Apart from that he is also part of the National youth setup so to make it seem as if that is where they develop then yuh still have to give Grovy some of that credit.  So Eggs was ah bess coach buh Grovy is just a recruiter ent.  Steups allyuh does talk shit fuh talkin it sake oui.  I guess it must be a coincidence that in the last 2 decades and counting dat so much SAC men does feature on the national teams from Jrs to seniors.

You're a tad agressive in your beliefs aren't you?   
No, I think you're taking what I'm saying way out of context.  Not saying that Grovy is not a good coach, at least I don't believe I said that.  In fact, I'd go on record as saying he is an outstanding coach, so is Grayson from Gustine, Spicer from Eldo, etc.  A high school coach (please educate me if I'm incorrect), has access to the kids in the summer and fall...you really think that is development?  Really? All I am saying is that it takes years to develop players and simply playing SSFL eh go make yuh good.  In addition by that time it's already too late.   

78

Football / Re: The benefits of the SSFL

« on: December 06, 2011, 09:21:58 AM »

I have sat back and read most of all the comments and one clear distinction is missing.  Let's be honest, Grovy not necessarily developing players at St. Anthony's, he merely recruits them.  That's what the high schools do now recruit.  It started with Sando Tech.  I would like to know how many of the top players in the SSFL playing with pro clubs and on the national youth teams? 

Allyuh really think Kenny Thomas develop Jerren Nixon or Grovy develop Kenwyn Jones?  Really?  Now, did they have a hand in their development, yes, but I'll argue the clubs and the jr national teams had a lot more influence. 

When I played in the SSFL in the late 80's early 90's, by that time I would say my most meaningful training sessions and development took place "training" with the national team.  Was I good enough to play with the starting eleven or even make the national youth teams, (probably/probably not) but I've always said Ronald Alexis (Eggs) was tough but the best coach I've ever had fundamentally.  He coached me for 2 years with the national U13 and U14 teams.  National team training sessions, playing and training with the best brings out the best in you.

All this to say, I agree, from a strictly development standpoint the SSFL is not the best place but it does give the players a platform to perform.  The people in the know (national team coaches and fellow players) knew about Dwight Yorke before Signal Hill but the avg person did not.  SSFL gave him the platform to be seen and thus he took off. 

We have got to go back to having zonal youth teams to provide sufficient coaching (similar to ODP in the US) and from that development they can go on to the national teams.  This will allow for a broader pool of players to be coached effectively.  Bottom line is we technically had the structure in the past but it appears somewhere along the line we lost it.

79

Football / Re: 2011 SSFL & InterCol Fixtures.

« on: November 21, 2011, 07:58:30 AM »

Congrats Arima....Finally winning a fricken trophy.... Lovely..

80

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Guyana Game (11-Nov-11).

« on: October 28, 2011, 11:39:41 AM »

That uniform is atrocious at best...yikes!!! 

In the words of Al Davis "just win baby"!  That's all we need to do.

81

Football / Re: Roderick Gibbs.

« on: October 28, 2011, 11:36:35 AM »

Lack ah discipline is an understatement....He had no discipline at all...  Very good player though.  I grew up watching them fellas first in Aranguez savannah and then on the national scene with Army.  He is a cool test though. 

82

Football / Re: Thread for the 2011 Pan-American Games.

« on: October 25, 2011, 01:51:22 PM »

Angus Eve, his staff and the players have all done a very good job in Guadalajara, but let's not get carried away. These South American teams are Under 20s, by and large, so we need to temper our response and not begin seeing ourselves automatically qualifying for London 2012 and beyond. We also need to be careful in comparing coaches. Vranes did not coach this Under 23 team in competition. He had the Under 20 team, which failed in Guatemala in CONCACAF qualifying for Colombia 2011, and was replaced as Under 23 coach by his assistant, Eve. Let's not forget that Vranes helped to write our country's football history by taking an Under 20 team to Egypt 2009. Finally, let's also remember that Jamaica finished second at the Brasil Pan-American Games of 2009. I do not know how many members of that Jamaican team are now in their country's senior squad but it will be interesting to watch the progress of our Gaudalajara generation.

All valid points.  I agree with you for the most part. 

Taking that into consideration, maybe these are the types of results we need to instill confidence as a group.  Most times we go to these tournaments, get we licks and come home.  So I agree, we shouldn't get carried away but give credit where credit is due and Angus deserves some credit.  Additionally, this team didn't have much preparations so I think it was definitely a worthwhile investment. 

83

Football / Re: Thread for the 2011 Pan-American Games.

« on: October 25, 2011, 11:24:30 AM »

Gotta give Angus some credit.  He did well with the same team that Vranes couldn't do nuttin with (or am I mistaken?).  Proud of those kids, it will do wonders for their confidence both as individuals and as a team.   

84

Football / Re: Andre interviews Jamal Shabazz on I95.5fm this evening

« on: October 21, 2011, 06:18:57 AM »

Andre thinks that Otto has ties to unscrupulous player agents and conducting an investigation.

I heard him say this on the "fearless one minute" on I955fm yesterday and this morning....   I don't understand what the coach having possible relationships with agents have to do with anything?  Is he implying that the coach would steer players towards "his" agent friends?  I couldn't get the point.  All this while asking Otto to give an apology to the Pro League, it's mgt and the people of T&T.... 

85

Football / Re: Leston Paul, DeLeon on ESPNU Now

« on: October 18, 2011, 07:35:21 PM »

DeLeon is a good player.  Delivers really good service from the flanks....  What little I saw Leston Paul didn't do nothing really but to be honest USF in the second half was just interested in clearing the ball.  No kinda organization or nothing....

86

Football / Re: Pfister goes Bizerk at post match interview

« on: October 13, 2011, 01:08:44 PM »

Very late on the conversation but from my perspective Otto is concerned about the exploitation of his players.  I've always said in contrast to some, going off to far nations to play football and make small money makes no sense.  That said, I understand players live in the present and want to grasp at any "opportunity". 

One obvious thing is missing that no one commented on though, is the inability of our players to understand contracts and how to avoid being exploited.  Imagine, according to Otto ah man sign to go to Vietnam and he eh know how much the agent making or himself for that matte?  That seems so simple to me and almost embarrassing for the player or his "family" not to ask the most basic of questions.

Are we that "desperate" for a "foreign" contract?  If so, we will continue to be exploited....  Shame on all parties involved.

87

Football / Re: 'Warriors' search for another win over Bermuda

« on: October 07, 2011, 07:40:59 AM »

Oh lardd! ah gettin a lil excited now. I wonder if de man going and play chelsea football and clog de midfield!  What is de Radio Link.

www.i955fm.com say they bringing it tonight from 6:30pm.  I cyar really get excited until we get to the next round.  Quite frankly if we don't make it I'll be really ticked but ah not getting excited over this mediocre football.

88

Football / Re: Football alert — watch for Shaquell Moore

« on: October 03, 2011, 06:15:31 AM »

Quick note; Well done Tallman for the cover story!

Is long time ah know bout him, but peeps wanted tuh kinda keep it under wraps fuh a lil while. Big up Garvin wit he dotish self 

True dat and big up to coach G for real for doing a great job with dis yuteman!

LOL....  Tallman call Garvin dotish....ah go tell him.... 

89

Football / Re: Football alert — watch for Shaquell Moore

« on: September 30, 2011, 09:30:02 AM »

Well done young man... Wish you all the best. 

90

Football / Re: Scotland announces international retirement

« on: September 29, 2011, 11:12:26 AM »

All the best but I don't recall he doing anything special fuh trini anyway.  He's a good club player but in my opinion a below average international player at best.