Good day everyone! I attending both games yesterday and just wanted to share some views with you all.
Before I start I will like to shout out the warrior nation crew. I saw you guys putting together a big flag and trying to get the crowd into the game. I recognized Tallman. There was a white boy with jerry curls it look like, 1 or 2 pretty boy dred and some other warrior nation work men. There was then a beautiful young lady using a camcorder. Sweetie, are you a member of this forum? Anyways, big up to everyone. You guys were doing a good job. I was proud when I was you guys.
Furthermore, I was accompanied with some PFL officials, my mother and nephew and the first thing that came to my mind (without saying it to my friends and family) was that the current crop of players were a Anton Corneal selected team. It had just struck me. Then, two PFL officials took the words from my mind and mouth. It was so weird that they were thinking the same think I was thinking without me mentioning it.
Well first off I must say that I think we were unfortunate not to win the game but also fortunate not too loose. The Bajans were worthy of the draw. They worked hard, tackle wind, and had many goal opportunities. If they were a good team they could have scored 3-4 goals. We lost total control of the game at one point. The Bajans could have easily stole the game away from us. The good thing about it is that the other Caribbean teams are not much better than us, so that makes us look somewhat decent.
I got there 10 minutes into the first half. We had full control of the game. We were stringing passes together and everyone was getting into the game. One main reason that accounted for that was that Barbados probably had a fear for us and also didn't know what to expect. So they were batting in their crease (if so to speak).
Anyways, some major observation were the speed of the game and the intensity. The speed of the game was too!!!! too!!!! slow. There was no sense of urgency, heart and desire to win (with some exception which I will mention later).
Defense I think our defense did a decent job. Jack and Osei did well for the little they had to do. But Jack was not always discipline. In my eyes (from a coaching or scout point of view) he is not a true professional. A professional (in it's true meaning) player do the right thing all the time. There were times when he had the simple assignment of making an easy first time pass but held on the ball and eventually gave it away. It was almost as if he was trying to take the game into his hands and play for the crowd. That's not your job sonny boy. You are a laborer. Work hard and organize that back four. Nevertheless, he had a decent game.
The two wing back, Sean Powers and Nigel Daniel, did not show good attacking qualities. Sean Powers, well honestly there were times when he was totally out of the game. I guess that was the inexperience stepping in. I think and hope he will come along in time to come. Nigel, for a capped player was out of the game for some parts of the game as well. Well first off, it was evident that he cannot use his left foot but plays on the left side. I think he delivered 1-2 cross all game. Nevertheless, overall I think the back four did OK. Being that inexperience, they did OK overall.
Midfield This is where I had a problem...In the center midfield in particular. Kerry Batiste delivered some very good crosses. Unfortunately we could not get at the end of it. His work rate however was suspect. He cheated on defense and that even cause the Bajans to find some opening space on the left side and they created some good goal scoring opportunities from that side. In contrast, Lesie worked hard on defense and attack. His crosses were not as dangerous as Kerry's but it was good enough for players to at the end of it. Honestly, I don't rate him too much. I think his time is up and there should have been a younger player there. I don't understand why he is in the mix because the players who played yesterday is supposedly players for 2010. I know Lesie cannot be in that mix...or is he
It looks like another Corneal conspiracy to be honest
Denzil was the biggest disappointment on the evening. He carried the captain arm ban and showed no leadership qualities. He was always on the ground and crying for a foul (which he rarely got). He showed no fighting spirit, he did not motivate the lads! I heard that coming from Osei and Jack. His speed of play was so so so slow! Walking pace. Yes, he did make some decent passes (spreading the ball) but his passing abilities, speed and aggression is questionable. With all due respect, it is now evident why Denzil could not have secured a pick on the first team while playing in Scotland. Jemmott is probably the only player who could honestly pass the ball well. However, he too played too slow and showed no aggression. He also looked sluggish!!! and far from fit. Hence the reason I think he was taken off. Against a better team team these two players would not have a glimmer or hope based on how they played yesterday.
StrikersScott Sealy is a good player but not a player to take the team on his shoulders. He did not look like himself. Usually he holds the ball well, makes good runs off the ball and would finish anything in and around the penalty area. Against the Bajans it was almost as if his feet was a brick wall. The ball would bounce off when played into him. He did not look like the same player from who I saw many times playing in the MLS. Lift your game Scott!! Be a leader not a follower. As for Gary, he still has that speed. However, he was not aggressive and threw away some easy goalscoring opportunities. Based on yesterday showing, these two players don't appear to be good striking partners.
Subs Darryl Roberts came in for Sealy and immediately had a goalscoring chance which he shot wide. He did however bring some urgency, heart and desire to the game. He is a goalscorer and I think if he got back that chance in a next game, a in form Darryl will bury it.
Benito did well. I saw some potential from him. He looked simple and played within his limits.
Kwame also brought some urgency to the game. His first touch on the ball saw him dribbling down the left side and having a crack at goal. However, he is not discipline. He was playing for the crowd and cheated on defense.
Offensively, when these three players were brought in the game the team started to add more pressure to the Bajans.
The fans were very disappointed. You should have heard some of the things they were saying in the stands. Wim, you earn $65,000US a month to coach our national team. If I was you, my players would have felt the bad end of the stick for giving that performance yesterday (regardless of being inexperience).
Kingman
