Support grows for Latapy
T&T GuardianTechnical Director of T&T Football, Lincoln Phillips, believes the country’s football is far from where it should be in today’s modern game. Phillips was among those who threw their weight behind the appointment of Russell Latapy as national coach. Also giving the thumbs up were former national captain Clayton Morris and outstanding current player Kerry Baptiste. Phillips made a presentation on the state of football in the country at the press conference to re-appoint Latapy on Tuesday.
He said gone are the days when a player was confined to one particular role on the field. “The players are extremely skillful. Every player can play anywhere on the field. There are no defensives players, there are no attacking players, and everyone is expected to play his role within the team.” The national icon described T&T’s football as very slow and predictable when compared to the modern day game. “Our speed is very slow, our defenders stay in defence, our half back stay at the half line and our forwards stay in the front line. The game is not fluid any more. That is the challenge we have here in T&T and if we are to dominate in the region, we have to improve significantly.”
He said coaches are ultimately responsible for the performance of the team. “We, as a football federation, have to create an atmosphere where we develop our coaches to teach the modern game. As a technical director, my job is to develop a coaching scheme that will enable our coaches to teach the modern game.” He said the use of technology is another major factor in the modern day game. “No longer can our coaches go into a football game not knowing the opponents. If we do that without technology, it is like sending our coaches out to battle without bullets,” said the man fondly referred to as ‘Tiger’ during his playing days.
Phillips said he is confident Latapy will be able to bring results. “I think we have been looking for far too long at coaches outside the country and spending a lot of money. I feel Russell is the only local coach who would be able to gain the co-operation of the players, and this is a step in the right direction, especially with funding being a problem.” Former Strike Force captain Morris said it is the best thing at this point. “It is good to have a local coach. The Federation does not have enough money and so going local is the best move at this point. Latapy knows the coaches and the culture and he has been around for almost two decades and has a wealth of experience. He will not have the same amount of pressure as he did when he took over from Francisco Maturana,” said Morris.
He is of the opinion that Latapy should have been appointed head coach of the entire programme to ensure the same message is passed on throughout the national teams. Zoran Vranes was retained as Under-23 and Under- 20 coach, but Morris feels this was not a good decision, since he does not know the culture of football in T&T. Baptiste also welcomed Latapy. “That’s great news for our football. He was only in the job for a short period last year but there was evidence that he was doing some great things and now he will have a chance to continue that.
I fully believe Latapy is the right man for the job and positive he will take us to Brazil 2014,” added Baptiste. Also wishing Latapy well was former national player and FIFA technical adviser, Alvin Corneal. “We have to wait and see what he could do. We have nothing to truly base him on, since his previous stint with the team was very short,” said Corneal.
