1. What can T&T do to survive SA 2010.
We need a new coach first and foremost. Once that is sorted out, the team selection needs to be revamped because we have players out there that don’t deserve to be on this team. Also, we need to restructure our training regiment because too many of our players are unfit and unclear as to their roles on the field. Finally, the players have to change their attitude while representing the National team. Play with a lot more heart and passion as a team!
2. Your favorite T&T club team.
I played for Joe Public so it hurting me to say Jabloteh. They have been one of the more consistent teams in the pro league, led by an excellent coach in Terry Fenwick (once his temper is in check).
3. Should Francisco Maturana get the axe.
YES!!! I’m not sure why we even taking this long to get that part of the puzzle done. A no brainer!!
4. Would it be wise to inject some under 20 talent on the senior team. And whom do you think is capable.
I think it’s a good practice to develop, once the players warrant a call up to the senior team. Too many times you see young players get called up and you wondering why were they even there. From what I have seen, Hyland deserves his spot there currently, also Leston Paul and Jamal Gay should be included.
5. Should T&T under 20 team join the Pro League.
No. Those players do not need to be exposed to that kind of competition at this stage. They need to be focused on player development, which is actually hurting the senior team right now.
6. What preprations is needed for the under 20 team to be successful in Egypt.
They need to be exposed to the top level teams of their age group and play them on a regular basis between now and the World Cup. I would also suggest a training camp in similar conditions as to what they will experience in Egypt.
7. Who do you feel is capable of getting T&T to SA 2010.
My first choice would be Terry Fenwick, since he has first hand knowledge of the players and our culture. More so our culture because we as a people are different and it will take any “new” coach coming in sometime to adapt to our way of life. Outside of Fenwick, I like the option of Stephen Hart.
8. The worst T&T performance.
A toss up between the loss to Bermuda in Trinidad and that performance in Nashville.
9. The best T&T performance.
When we beat Mexico in Port-of-Spain 1-0 on a dynamic Russell Latapy goal.
10. How do you think will be the best way to prepare for our next set of games.
Situational training. It seems to me that the team is clueless as to how to play given any situation on a game to game basis. For example, we were 2 goals up in El Salvador and gave up that lead to tie the game. What was the game plan playing 2 goals up? What was the formation, playing style? As a matter of fact, what is our playing philosophy? Are we a counter attacking team? Are we a defensive team? Are we an attacking team? Where are our strong points in attack, the middle or the flanks? These are questions that need to be addressed in training and it’s the only way we can efficiently prepare for the upcoming games.
11. What style best suits T&T.
That would depend on our playing philosophy. Once we develop that then we can have an idea what that is. Quite frankly, national teams playing one system of football is becoming outdated as you have to adjust to the given situation that confronts you.
12. Which players you feel deserve a call up by T&T.
Brent Sancho, Julius James, Kendall Jagdeosingh, Trent Noel, Cornell Glenn, Daryl Roberts.
13. Pick you best 18 for T&T next set of WCQ games.
Ince, Phillip, Lawrence, Sancho, James, Hislop, Thomas, Hyland, Yorke, Latapy, Carlos, Birchall, Whitley, Samuel, Roberts, Glenn, Stern, Jagdeosingh.
14. What do you feel is T&T biggest problems. Why do we continue to fail against USA especially who apart from their last game is very beatable. Why do we always struggle.
Lack of discipline. Discipline in terms of executing the game plan and every player holding themselves responsible for their role in the bigger picture. Lack of organization. When playing a team that’s as organized as the American team, anything short of what they are doing will show up big time. Lack of fitness. The American team is one of the fittest if not one of the fastest out there. We must be in top match fitness to be able to compete with them, especially defensively down the flanks.
15. Is our footballers overated ? do we expect to much of them. Why cant they get the simple fundementals right (trapping, shooting, passing, marking, cloosing down space, controlling the box etc)
I wouldn’t say they are overrated per say, but the “starboy” mentality that is inbreeded in them at the SSFL level is killing these players. Before they have accomplished anything in their lives they are rated as great players by their coaches and media. As a result, they figure that they don’t need to learn about the game and further themselves technically. Look at Dwight, the best thing that could have happened to him was to go to Aston Villa at the age he was at. Before we placed that “starboy” burden on him and it being in his face on a daily basis, he was in England being told he not there yet and he was in an environment where he had to do better and be better, which in turn elevated his game. Compare him to Keon Daniel, who is already rated as this special player locally, yet still he can’t even hold down a professional contract.
16. Out best player right now.
For country it has to be Carlos Edwards, followed closely by Chris Birchall and Clayton Ince.
17. Who do you feel should get dropped from the T&T side.
Akile Edwards (please Jesus), Keon Daniel, Clyde Leon, Wolfe, Kenwyne Jones (until he can regain his confidence and his touch), and reluctantly Scotland. Only reason I say Scotland is because we have other strikers out there who need a shot. The current crop isn’t producing. I kept Stern because we need an experienced striker and he is still doing good things (in spurts) on the field.
18. Name your best footballers from the world, 1 per-position;
Country
Goalkeeper – Julio Caesar
Defender – Lucio
Midfielder - Kaka
Forward – David Silva
Club
Goalkeeper - Cech
Defender - Vidic
Midfielder - Messi
Forward -Torres
