Messages

121

Football / Re: FIFA Ranking Thread.

« on: September 14, 2017, 05:49:52 PM »

The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team slumped to their lowest international ranking in seven years today, as FIFA listed the Soca Warriors as 99th in the world, joint 10th in CONCACAF and fourth in the Caribbean.

Or, to put that into context, the last time the Warriors were ranked this low was in 2010 when then head coach Russell Latapy’s team were eliminated by Grenada in the group stage of the Caribbean Cup. Trinidad and Tobago were subsequently ranked 106th in the world.

Today’s FIFA rankings mean the Warriors have fallen a remarkable 50 places since David John-Williams was elected as Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president in November 2015.

At present, Trinidad and Tobago are on a seven game losing streak while current head coach Dennis Lawrence has won just two from 10 outings—against Panama and Barbados—since his appointment in February.

John-Williams recently told the media that Lawrence, a former assistant coach at Everton but now on his first assignment as head coach, will be given time to rebuild the national team. But the figures do not suggest that the Warriors have improved under the current coach or president; and, arguably, again put the president’s sacking of former coach Stephen Hart into focus.

Trinidad and Tobago were ranked 87th in the world by FIFA when then TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee announced the hiring of Hart as head coach.

And by the time John-Williams replaced Tim Kee at the helm, three years later, the Warriors—under Hart—had soared to 49th in the world and were fourth in CONCACAF and first in the Caribbean.

Had Trinidad and Tobago retained that average FIFA ranking, it would have meant that local footballers would be eligible for work permits in Britain for the first time since 2006.

Instead, the Warriors’ fortunes went in the opposite direction.

FULL STORY

122

Football / Re: David John Williams Thread.

« on: September 14, 2017, 03:59:32 PM »

De man delivering on he promise

He certainly take us to de bottom.  So it stand to reason that the only way from there is up.

I think he still delivering.  We have more bottom to reach wit he in charge


Think bout it.  We definitely out de Hex.  Knowing T&T football and football supporters, NOBODY going to pay any attention to what TTFA do or don't do until the next round of world cup qualifiers come around.

If DJW had carte blanche to do whatever he wanted before.....it wusserer now.  And he done prove it already by appointing Saintfiet as head coach AND dissing him publicly at his introductory press conference.  And EVERYBODY take it jes so.....INCLUDING SAINTFIET!

T&T football ass wuss dan grass now wit dis man in charge.  He sole interest is to make $$$ for he.  He doh give a f**k about de game. 

Enjoy it........because jes like de people dat did vote fuh Trump.....yuh deserve wha yuh get

123

Football / Re: Fire Dennis Lawrence Thread.

« on: September 13, 2017, 01:14:34 PM »

Look we just need to form a West Indies Team and go win the World Cup.  Cause if we were to put our best foot forward on a team like that we could win it. 

That could have happened in the late 50s and possibly early 60s. Eh go happen now!

    Why?  FIFA would love the idea. 

POLITICALLY, there's more power in each territory having a vote than as a single entity.

If 25 nations decide to become one....that's 25 votes versus 1 vote.

How yuh think CONCACAF came to be dominated by Jack and Blazer?  Prior to them, Mexico and Central America held full away in CONCACAF

USA was a minnow and not respected at all in football.....least of all by Mexicans and the Central Americans.   Truth be told...not by the likes of us either.

The caribbean nations were also held in contempt by the same countries.

Jack had the numbers (CFU).....Blazer had the potential infrstructure, financial wherewithal etc.

They struck a deal.  CFU and USA became the power brokers.  Mexico and Central America had to take a back seat.

A west indies football team not making any sense.  It MAY ONLY HAPPEN in an Olympics or some special event like that.  Similar to Great Britain in the Olympics.

But outside of that.....I can't see it,  It would be political suicide.

124

Football / Re: Fire Dennis Lawrence Thread.

« on: September 10, 2017, 10:22:40 AM »

Mexico is not a market to be mixed in with those. It's a top 10 market worlwide, number one in America.

True.  But not if players get signed to Mexican 2nd Division teams

125

Football / Re: Fire Dennis Lawrence Thread.

« on: September 07, 2017, 11:45:51 AM »

However, we need to start "building" for 2022. 

I honestly believe the following:

The TTFA, local coaches, and many fans truly believe our players have superior talent

The highest standard of local T&T football is the Pro League.  There is also the Super League and various Minor Leagues. 

The Pro League depends on Government subsidies to operate.

In order for the PFL to be fiscally viable, they have to be in the business of generating revenue to earn profits

The main source of revenue is player sales.  So the push is to sell as many players as possible.  If a player shows potential or promise, arrangements are made for a trial with a foreign club with a view to an ultimate sale.

Recently a number of T&T players have been sold to clubs in Central America & Mexico.  This is mostly a result of them being showcased with the National team.

The more players that play on the National team, the more "eyes" are on them and the better to showcase them.

So.....try and put as many local based players on the national team as possible.  Once on the national team, the higher the potential for an interested foreign club.  Hopefully a foreign club from one of the more reputable leagues.  A club from one of those reputable leagues will likely pay more for a player.

The way these players perform at their clubs will likely influence whether other T&T players get similar opportunities.

However, the results of the mens national team means that our FIFA ranking has been steadily dropping.

This affects which foreign leagues our players MAY be eligible to play in.....particularly the EPL

It means secondary & tertiary markets such as Costa Rica, Mexico, India, Thailand, Vietnam, Kazakhstan etc are primary markets for T&T players to be sold to

The thinking in the TTFA and those pro clubs is that this is a win win situation.   Players go abroad and get foreign experience playing in foreign leagues, and the clubs/agents get revenue in return.  It's also seen as better for the players as the standard of the Pro League struggles to meet international standard/

So in essence, the majority of the T&T National team is being developed by club teams in these locations. 

I'm afraid "Building for 2022" isn't some local development program aimed at producing better players from the youth system upward.  It's more of a player auction process. 

Little emphasis on proper development from U13 to senior level.  Raising the standard of the Pro League and coaching at all levels.  Increasing attendance at the Pro League.  Ensuring facilities are in proper working condition etc.

It's more of a hustle.


I hope I'm wrong.  But that's how it seems to me.

126

Football / Re: How can a player walk out on a club and he under contract?

« on: September 07, 2017, 11:19:10 AM »

Palos, I not mad @ Diego yuh kno. In fact I am one of only a handful (it would seem) of Chelsea fans that would have preferred this was handled differently. Given who Diego Costa is his reaction is not in the least bit surprising.  Furthermore it was a smart play because he managed to make himself look like the victim in all of this.  In reality the club just grew tired of the yearly "I want to leave/I don't like London chant and decided in January that this summer he could go. Everyone knew that in the summer he was going and yet somehow it became a soap opera.  I agree with his position of engineering exactly where he goes since Conte don't want him.  As for Chelsea, I can also see their side of it as well.  Whether or not any of us agree or not, this is business and when you have other teams willing to pay more than Atletico to buy him but he refuses to even consider it, then it's a stalemate.  Atleti decides to lowball CFC for Costa as if 20 goal per year scorers are a dime a dozen and Chelsea should do what, just sell him? Meanwhile Diego in Brazil and not training, who benefits? Neither club nor Diego because even if a deal was struck and he was loaned out, he still needs time to get fit.

With all that said my previous response was totally about any perceived breach on Chelsea's part which would not stand up in any forum should it be litigated/arbitrated.

Fair enough.  I wasn't aware that he refuses to go anywhere other than Atletico.

Guess he doing what he does best.  STRIKING 

127

Football / Re: How can a player walk out on a club and he under contract?

« on: September 07, 2017, 10:54:47 AM »

It is in everyone's best interest that he is training at the club whether with seniors or reserves. Him not being there hurts his transfer value and his aspirations to move on.  The reality here is that Chelsea holds the cards and Costa can pout till he fall asleep without being able to force the club's hand.  Great player but mentally deficient, this would have probably been done with had he just kept quiet and went about the business.  Instead he try to make out Conte and it has backfired.

Put yourself in the players boots for a moment

This is Diego Costa.  Not Diego Martin

He is a world class striker, and football teams EVERYWHERE crave a striker that knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.  If you think I lie....ask Dennis Lawrence.  A striker is the single greatest commodity in football.  PERIOD

Diego Costa is one of the best STRIKERS in football.

He has been told by his club that he is no longer in their plans.   He won't be in their first team.  He gets to train with reserves and the 2nd team if he wants.

Meanwhile...there are teams EAGER to sign him.   But Chelsea won't sell him.  He's told them he wants to be sold to Atletico Madrid.  Atletico Madrid want to sign him.  But still Chelsea won't sell him.

He must sit there and take it while Chelsea playing chess with his livelihood?

And because he UNDERSTANDABLY acts up, he branded as mentally deficient and a malcontent?

What if it were you in the situation?  Easy for you to eat yuh biscuit and hush yuh mout while people f**king around with your career?

128

Football / Re: Lawrence: I’m still searching for striker; T&T coach blames individual errors

« on: September 07, 2017, 10:47:50 AM »

I thought we already had a super striker?

Keon Clark?  Not sure why he wasn't selected for these past 2 games....neither of which were played on a Saturday

Had he played, we would be world cup bound all now

129

Football / Re: Greg Ranjitsingh Thread

« on: September 06, 2017, 03:50:47 PM »

Now that we eliminated from the 2018 WC, you guys feel Greg might finally get the call?

 

Perhaps "the one that doesn't interfere with team selection" can answer that 

130

Football / Re: Qualifying hopes ends in Panama City.

« on: September 06, 2017, 03:45:51 PM »

This is a serious low point in T&T football.

Reminds me of the days when Cedus was T&T midfield "general" and Ron La and dem was de flava of de day.

We pretty much at rock bottom...and right now...I know how that feels.

This lower than the blacklist era?

"Blacklist" was implemented in 2008

In 2009 our U20's qualified for the U20 World Cup in Egypt

Our U17's lost in the CFU Final to Haiti in 2008.  The year before, they were at the U17 World Cup in South Korea

Our U15's lost in the CFU Youth Cup Final to Cuba in 2008


In 2017.....our mens team did qualify for the Hex.   And then proceeded to underwhelm

Our U20's could not advance to the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF U20 Championship in Costa Rica

Our U17's could not qualify as one of 5 teams for the CONCACAF WC qualifiers

Our 15's got slaughtered at the CONCACAF U15 qualifiers in Florida


When I say our football...I don't just mean the men's senior team.  I mean OVERALL

If DJW's tenure was a graph, with success on the y axis and failure on the x axis, the line would be way below the x axis right now.

131

Football / Re: Qualifying hopes ends in Panama City.

« on: September 06, 2017, 12:13:16 PM »

This is a serious low point in T&T football.

Reminds me of the days when Cedus was T&T midfield "general" and Ron La and dem was de flava of de day.

We pretty much at rock bottom...and right now...I know how that feels.

This lower than the blacklist era?

I would have to say yes

132

Football / Re: Qualifying hopes ends in Panama City.

« on: September 06, 2017, 11:39:07 AM »

This is a serious low point in T&T football.

Reminds me of the days when Cedus was T&T midfield "general" and Ron La and dem was de flava of de day.

We pretty much at rock bottom...and right now...I know how that feels.

133

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (5-Sept-2017)

« on: September 05, 2017, 03:02:27 PM »

For USA peeps....try https://connect.beinsports.com/

Likely you will find a live stream for the T&T game.  It probably won't be free though

For peeps in Canada...if you want to watch the match LIVE and willing to pay the $19.95 for the month, here's the LIVE STREAMING SITE

https://connect.beinsports.com/ca/

Otherwise, nuff free sites out there that I'm sure will bring matches.  Enjoy de pop ups and spam that accompany most of those feeds tho


I have to say.....if T&T was in realistic contention, I would have ZERO issue with paying the $19.95 for the month to watch Bein Sports LIVE Streaming of the match

But given where we are now and the overall state of our football, I go wait till the broadcast at 8:00 am Eastern tomorrow to take een de match

Dat...fuh anybody that know me.....says it all.

134

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (5-Sept-2017)

« on: September 05, 2017, 02:14:28 PM »

I searched cable tv for close to an hour but could not find the game anyone knows what cable channel USA is showing the game?

Cannot tell u about the USA.

Bein TV in Canada doing a delayed broadcasting of the match at 8:00 am Eastern tomorrow Wednesday September 6

135

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Panama Game (5-Sept-2017)

« on: September 05, 2017, 12:33:14 PM »

Am I seeing what I think are crutches being carried by a player on arrival in Panama? If indeed they are crutches, why does he have them?

Excuse my ignorance if it's the norm for teams to walk with crutches, it's just something I've never noticed in pics of football teams before?

Maybe you saw the handle of somebody's suitcase.

Third pic, fella behind Stern....definitely looks like a pair of crutches....Never seen that before...

Is a metaphor fuh we WC qualifying campaign

136

Football / Re: Unpaid players, uncaring TTFA, uneasy SPORTT and an unfulfilled World Cup dream.

« on: September 03, 2017, 09:55:11 PM »

The TTFA has not paid its players since their 28 March qualifier against Mexico. The Warriors have played five times since then; it is noteworthy that  they have failed to win a single one of those games.

The John-Williams-led board promised to pay for two of those five matches—the friendly against Grenada and World Cup qualifying loss to the United States—before their decisive clash with Honduras. But, two days before Friday’s match, the Warriors were told they would be paid those outstanding fees on 12 September instead.

There is not even a date set for payment of the other outstanding match fees, including the crucial 1 and 5 September qualifiers.

Matters were not improved when the TTFA informed the players that their complimentary tickets for the Honduras match had been cut from eight (four covered and four uncovered stands) to five (three covered and two uncovered stands).

Quote from: Flex on June 07, 2017, 04:26:42 AM
I know DJW and I can assure you the players will get paid, there should be no insecurities from the T&T players.

Their pay might be late sometimes, but its inevitable.

Flex?

137

Football / Re: He could be Pele he not making T&T team once DJW in power.

« on: September 03, 2017, 10:38:42 AM »

I wonder how  Villaroel start ahead of Mekeil Williams for second goal he got caught almost  the same way as in the Jamaica game ..

Coach said he played Villaroel primarily because of his attacking qualities and that would give the team options going forward.

Will be interesting to see the match stats of how many times Villaroel crossed half line with the ball in the match

138

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:54:17 PM »

Would be interesting to see Villaroel's passing stats for this match

139

Football / Re: The Bring Back Tom Saintfiet Thread

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:50:40 PM »

 

140

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:39:54 PM »

jesus @#$%ing christ

Fill us in ...

molino close miss point blank and he eh get ah good connection

Ball was slightly behind him at pace and he couldn't adjust his body sufficiently in time.  Hard luck

Yes...should have scored but it happens

141

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:37:56 PM »

As Honduras drops deeper to defend, it gives us more room to play.  The individualism "tactic" has more effect

Fantastic run and pass off by Molino to humans to ultimately get the penalty which was expertly converted by Joevin

Then Nashy missed a Glorious opportunity to equalize after a great run and pass from Joevin.

Those two are the entire sum of our attacking initiatives in this match.

142

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:19:21 PM »

Ok. Let's face reality now. 2022.

If you REALLY want to face reality, it FAR longer than 2022. Especially under this current administration

143

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:18:00 PM »

Oops 

144

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:11:41 PM »

What wrong with that goal. If hon. had score one like that is goal. friggin bias tiefing ref.

To be fair, looks like the whistle blew long BEFORE the ball crossed the line

145

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:10:19 PM »

Alvin Jones? 

He must be have to audition for a trial and the match being televised in Vietnam 

146

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 07:03:47 PM »

CR beat US 2-0 in the US!

Good result for Costa Rica.

Seeing that we allegedly played better than Costa Rica when we recently lost to them in Costa Rica, this result should mean we will beat the Is when next we face them

147

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 06:51:32 PM »

Cue the 2nd half comeback

BTW....ironic how peeps bawlin for KJ now

Going forward, we are relying exclusively on individualism from Joevin and Molino.  Little or no buildup, creativity or attacking strategy.  Very disappointing

We have no width in attack.  Cato often playing striker.  Boatswain invisible.  And it doh appear to be his fault.  Is what happens when you running around waiting for the starboys to do their thing.

Ironically, our defence is too wide apart and Honduras filling the gaps easily

If our attack and defence could switch, we likely would play better

All keepers make mistakes and Jan's mistake was calamituous.  Jan is a decent goalie and the best we have.  Too bad he forked that one up.

And another observation.  When our players make defensive headers why are they heading the ball back to the middle of the field?  Yuh supposed to head it out to the sides.

Someone explained to me that when T&T players are under pressure, they panic.  It's a direct result of the fact that we don't have a single player playing in a top league anywhere.  The highest level is MLS

148

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 06:40:24 PM »

Calamity Jan 

149

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: September 01, 2017, 09:37:03 AM »

Gi dem hell today Warriors!  Good luck

150

Football / Re: Thread for the T&T vs Honduras Game (1-Sept-2017)

« on: August 30, 2017, 09:25:01 AM »

A jet lagged, limping  Bateau  is still infinitely better than ANY local based defender we have