Dear Forumites,
The good news and one of the positives from today's game is that we did not lose. 0-0.
This game had to be the most painful TT game I have ever witnessed and while I may be christened the prophet of doom and gloom, the ultimate pessimist etc. I cannot sugar coat the abysmal performance that was on display today.
Man was sleeping on theyself in the stand after paying $150.
Imagine we have regressed from 0-0 with Sweden to 0-0 with Guadeloupe at home. Imagine the Digicel Cup matches with a total local team played a higher level and better brand of ball than the group that was assembled today.
I sure them fellas went and wine on people in Tobago and the good locals play mess for spite and fake injury so they could get dropped to jam people for Carnival. They have no way possible a side in camp could play so poorly.
The afternoon started with a trek to Harvards to purchase tickets for the game. You had to know which stand you wanted and each one was individually sold. Dos Santos, Constantine, KFC, etc. The WN faithful opted for Dos Santos lower deck and they stretched out the banner for all to see. TI, Weary, Patriot, Jah Goal, Reaper, Girl Warrior, Pardners, brownsugar and Myself were there and I am sure all present would have rather spent the 150$ on something else than watch the training session on the field.
AFter the anthems were sung and the teams were greeted by I think the president. Kick off was under way.
TT lined up in a 4-4-2.
Not sure of the starting lineup but Stern has lost quite a bit of weight. The man is so thin he was unrecognisable at first but he looking healthy and was a bit more mobile than usual.
Kenwyne was his strike partner. The middle was Samuel, a Number 6 who was playing decent to his limitations, Theobold and Spann.
The back was Telesford, Powers and two others.
Ince as Keeper.
The cricket pitch was green and slippery. It seemed as if they wet the field and it did not help the players as they fell at inopportune times. However our opponents walked with proper footwear and did not fall as much.
Folks the positives were the following....
Ince saved us and was MOM pulling off some big saves and denying 1v1 opportunites. He tipped a freekick around the post and claimed everyball, cross and shot that came his way. No fumble no spill.
Kenwyne showed what England did for him.
and ....
dais it.
They had a youth who came on with good touch and skill..number 19 in the last 10 min. He showed a lil something but I was real disappointed with the others on display.
Silvio has shown why he cannot make a Wrexham side and should not be selected for TT any time soon. Too casual, laid back, error prone, injury prone and lost the ball regularly.
Theobald play a new level of pile today. TI sit right next to me see with he own eye and admit he partner play shit. My assessment of him in previous reports...not being able to dictate the play, make a proper pass under pressure, win a ball in midfield etc...Denzil just let the side down.The crowd and start to call for sub after 5 min and Theobald father move from where he was sitting due to the level of heckle he son get on the field.
Why I am a bit harsh on these two is that these were WC players. Germany players...WCQ players and yet they performed or looked no better than a PFL bench warmer on Tobago United.
All Colin Samuel have is speed and no brain.
The back 4.....were a hot mess.
Imagine two man going for the same ball under no pressure, clashing and the loose ball trickling to a fwd who 1v1 with our keeper while they on the ground.
They quarreling with themselves, not taking instructions, they making bad pass and they playing wrong and strong and arguing. Man mistrapping in the 18, falling down, ball watching. It was poor.
At the half the captain got subbed (stern) the entire midfield besides the number 6 got subbed. and one defender.
The new defender a number 3 green green. He tried and played the best to his ability and fought a good fight.
Tinto came on and ran his heart out but was ineffective.
Oliver was immediately a crowd favourite with his first few moves and dummies. People started saying give Fari the ball. But after 5 minutes the man expired. He was a bit slow in getting to the ball and was knocked off on occasion. Also he was short on confidence, getting into good shooting positions and passing the opportunity. But then poor passing and indecision let him down.
The best sub was a number 19. The fella small and thin but tall and has good awareness and skill. He also has a good football brain making intelligent passes and supporting the play.
Being honest. We have plenty work to do. We have to play plenty more games and get others on board. Dog, Tallest, Avery and Sancho are a must. Cyd, Glenn, Edwards and Birchall must all come back if we dont have them we dont have a CHANCE.
We had no midfield...it was a long ball to Stern or Kenwyne from the keeper only.
The middle not winning a ball, not tackling the defence marking air and we had no playmaker, no bruiser, no work horse...just headless chickens running after the ball coming second.
We did not get any shots on target and about 2-3 attempts from corners.
Also Guadeloupe is not a side. yet they were knocking tha ball around with ease maintaing most of possession and creating chances...some of them being gifts handed to them by our defenders.
I sorry if any of you get vex but in the words of one of our moderators who was at the game..."we lucky if we even beat our first opponent and make the semi final round"
Yes it that bad.
We have plenty work to do and little time to do it. After looking at the JA game on TV just now......UNLESS WE IMPROVE SIGNIFICANTLY WE WILL GET LICKS.
Maturana have plenty work to do.
Till next time.
