This was in no way, shape or form a performance to be happy about.
The addition of the foreign base should have given us some measure of improvement on a tepid performance against India but same kettle of fish. Slow, methodical play, errant passing, lack of cohesion and a telling lack of urgency in the play.
And regardless of what anyone say Bermuda eh no side. I didn't see a player on that team that should cause a problem, they are a team of part timers. The left back had to be about 65 years old with a uncle type knock knee, yet only when Peltier came on were we able to capitalize on that a little bit.
At this rate we will get blow out by the better teams in CONCACAF once we come out this group unless there is marked improvement, but like a mindless lemming ah go be at de next game too.
Anyway, the way I rated it:
Warner - 3: Terrible display. Schoolboy errors on pass backs to him, fumbling the ball, mistrapped a simple back pass to concede a corner in a heart attack moment. Poor distribution. The crowd was cheering sarcastically every time he trap or catch a ball properly. Why we spend on plane ticket from Australia for that, and why was Marvin Phillip dropped after a strong show against India.
Power - 6 - Strong in the air, had a volley come off the crossbar and strong in the tackle. Never seriously troubled by the Bermuda attackers.
James - 6 - Solid in the tackle and dealt with just about everything that came his way. Not that the Bermuda attackers caused much concern.
Carlos -4 - Forced into the left back position and looked out of place all day. Did not trust his left foot which meant he kept going to his right foot and to the inside instead of going wide on the line. When he got into dangerous crossing positions on the left he checked back to his right.
Wolfe - 4 - Conceded possession, did not get forward enough and got caught out of position on several occasions. Below average performance.
Birchall - 5 - Energetic in midfield and put in a decent shift but guilty of quite a few bad passes and poor decision making.
Daniel - 7 - Came on for Hyland and gave an impressive performance in central midfield. Played simple ball, controlled the midfield and did not concede possession. Could have done better with set piece, played his crosses too close to the Bermudan goalkeeper.
Tinto - 4 - Starting to feel that he is losing his spark. His trade is his ability to take on his man and that and all he seems incapable of doing. Was ineffective, continuously muscled off the ball by his Bermudan marker and unable to put in a decent cross.
Roberts - 8 - Can count on one hand the number of times he lost possession of the ball. Every pass was purposeful and found its target. Great run and cross to set up the goal and unlucky when he showed good composure to take on his chest and hit crossbar in the first half. One of the few bright spots today.
Jones - 7 - Poor first 35 mins but then came into the game and use his power and pace effectively. Won the aerial battles and was willing to run at the wing back. One of his best showings from him in national colors.
John - 5 - Tried but offered little in attack. Slow and cumbersome, needs better service to be effective.
.... and lastly.....
Otto Pfister - 3 - I thought with the group of players selected, Pfister missed a real opportunity to produce a very strong T&T unit today. The Carlos at left back decision was shambolic especially given his lack of a left foot. His cutting inside meant that Roberts was starved of service operating on the left of midfield which I thought was also a mistake. I thought it would have been better to take his chances with someone accustomed to the role like Adams or Pacheco, and not waste Carlos talents out there. Better to chook Carlos right back or leave off Tinto and give him his natural right wing role.
Also was strongly opposed to the Warner pick. What are you saying to a young promising goalkeeper like Phillip when he did everything correctly given his chance, yet you bring a old washed up journeyman keeper to take his place?
Jones and John up front should be one or the other as they play the same position. I felt his team selection was forced to accomodate those two with Roberts and it backfired.
As for Hyland, I can't blame him for as the youth just put down a pile, but credit to him for making a bold decision early to effect a change.
