this is not really about Stern ...this is about an approach which has failed to stimulate interest in T&T football ... look how dey flocking to see young Brazil eh ? ...you tink it eh have better old stagers dan some ah dem who starting ? but de coach thinking bout de WC to be played in Brazil . You tink Fabiano and Kaka kyah make dat team ? you really tink so ? but dey watching though ....
I agree with you to an extent. The difference is that when you talking about Brazil, the youth that coming through their ranks and getting national team call ups are the ones who have the ability. So when you throw them in the national team is to give them experience.
So its the same with Trinidad. Bring through the youth that have ability. Unfortunately it seems that coaches (except maybe Maturana) coming here and not seeing enough in the young players to integrate them. Sad to say. Maybe as you mentioned earlier they give up because they aren't given the chance when they expect it. The ones who do that need to be a more persistent and patient.
Fabiano and Kaka might make the Brazilian national team under a different coach. Maybe the can't anymore, I don't follow those players. But even if they could, they are not being replaced by youngsters who are a step down from them in their level of play, and they aren't being replaced by players who aren't good enough to get the results the team needs. And that's the two things any coach going to be thinking about when he has to make the decision between a Stern John and young local player.
As you say, this is not about Stern himself. And I'll make it clear that I am not a fan of Stern John. But at the same time, if Stern gets back to a decent level of fitness, I will be hesitant to put player like Jorsling ahead of him in an important national team game. Because from what I've seen, A league is rubbish compared to International football, and scoring goals Orlando Pirates/against Caribbean opposition doesn't necessarily translate into performing against the US, Costa Rica etc. On the other hand, I might be more likely to put a Darryl Roberts in ahead of Stern cause he's played in the Dutch League against better opposition and did well.
Basically my point is, a principle is a principle. But the fact-specifics matter. Or to put it another way, I'm all for giving young players a chance, but not just for giving them a chance sake. Development is important, but results are as well. And its possible to balance both with a mix of experience and youth. That's the coach's call.
Is it that you see young players who are good enough that considering Stern's inclusion shouldn't even be an option? Maybe we agree in principle and that is the real difference between your opinion and those you are open to including Stern. Sad to say, I'm not that confident in a lot of the young players in our national team setup. And maybe that's with good reason.
ps. The other thing is I don't think that developing players is the responsibility of a national team/coach.
