It was only a matter of time…

I am still in shock over what transpired this evening at the Marvin Lee stadium, but the result was just what we deserved from the lack of effort showed by the individuals on the field today.

Bermuda well done. They played to a set game plan, they executed it perfectly, they played within their limitations and scored two very good goals against a PISS POOR TT team.

I honestly do not think the players on the field realised what this game meant to the nation. I also do not think they know the position we are in, the severity of their actions and the consequences to follow.

I have over the past few reports indicated the weaknesses to our game and the glaring deficiencies that our team possess, we were exploited perfectly by the Bermuda team.

It is so hard being a TT supporter. Having been to every match so far and being rewarded game after game with sub-standard displays, lack of effort, poor opposition and now losing scorelines.

I arrived at 4:45 and joined the 1000 or so spectators in attendance. The Jamaica game had a much larger crowd and the stadium consisted of the true Die hard TT fans. TSTT had some girls in burning white football pants and tall socks giving away rags, thundersticks and cups, the carib girls were strutting their stuff and KC confectionary was handing out free chewing gum to anyone willing to exercise their jaw muscles and get an early dentist appointment….(I took a handfull)

The teams were warming up on the field and from the looks of it Bermuda just didnt look like a side. Imagine a team of red men, some of them tall but many devoid of any kinda physique or athletic finish what so ever. I telling yuh is some big belley men with paunch was warming up. They were in red, doing all different kinds of stuff and TT doing the usual.

The teams came out from the tunnel and it was from then it all went downhill.

Readers…..before the whistle even blew we lost that match.

Bermuda came out with a Normal standard sized 3 x 4 flag and TT did not learn their lessons from the previous games and came out with a flag SMALLER than the one displayed in the England match. Yes, Yes the flag was smaller…. It is as if they take a Trini bandana from a vendor outside or borrow a man flag from his car antenna.

So after that disappointment, Bermuda’s anthem…God Saves the Queen…blared out from the PA system and then it was time for the TT anthem.

The 1000 of us were waiting for the kettle drums to roll, the trumpets to blare and the opening bars of our anthem to ring loud and true from the PA system but what we got instead was a …..Ladies and Gentlemen…..Please Sing….The national Anthem of Trinidad and Tobago!!!!!!

Well boy is now people start to cuss…….We at home, in the opening WCQ, and we do not even have our own national anthem in our own stadium. Worse yet, they ent even get some kinda singer or artiste or someone with a clue of a singing voice. Is the same announcer hit we the Pat Gastagne composition…acapella…out of time…out of key…and he rush the last verse as he was feeling shame.

Ent we play JA last week right here…the cd lorse or what?

So small flag and no anthem….yes..whoever in charge of that should be fired!

TT also was outfitted in our new Kit…yes the one being sold in Francis Fashions and while there were no names on the shirt the uniform looked good. Bermuda in a grey kit with a blue trim.

SO game on….. Bermuda in a 4-4-2. TT playing a 3-5-2 formation.

Ince in goal, Smith, Hislop, Lawrence,

Mid of Telesford, whitley, Daniel, Hyland and Carlos.

Stern and Scotland fwd.

What was interesting was that Hyland was in the left wing position, Daniel in the middle, Carlos on the right flank.

Tweet!!!!!!

and it was all Bermuda…

They came at us full guns blazing, running hard, moving the ball, hustling and TT with the same shitty knock the ball in the back could not even come out of our half.

The midfield did not tackle, men only watching, Telesford getting cuss right tru from ince, Hislop getting cuss right tru from ince, Smith getting cuss right tru from ince and Dennis Lawrence transformed from Sweeper to Playmaker. It is then I knew we didnt have a clue if Tallest was the one responsible for pulling the strings.

After 5 minutes the Bermudan team played a one two…the fwd blow past Smith and whipped in the cross. The defenders were caught out ball watching and the Bermuda forward ran in past everybody and hit a one time volley past ince from the top of the 18.

Brilliant goal!!!!

and one I hoped would spark TT to life….but how wrong I was.

TT continued their pass around in the back and Bermuda effectively shut us down and out. TT could not even come out the half. The wingbacks did not over lap. We have 5 midfielders who could not make a run or open up a space, take on a player or pass it around.

Imagine in the pass around in the back…it would be Dennis Lawrence to hoof a long ball to the flank or play a driven pass 40 meters to stern or scotland to trap and screen. By passing the entire midfield.

The first chance came from a hit and hope long ball…Stern collects it and with acres of space and in a 1 v1 situation hits a powder puff from the top of the box when he could have moved in closer.

Hyland was a non factor on the wing. After getting blade 2-3 times he was out. Daniel was also out of the game being “pongs” off the ball and doing nothing on the flank whenever he interchanged with Hyland.
WHitley tried a thing but had no support, was doubled teamed and marked out of the game.

Telesford was good at looking busy and doing nothing. To his credit he was the only TT player who tried to tackle the ball, but he was simply just skate tackling wild and getting left out.

Stern and Scotland up front….their work ethic and speed not the best and no service leaving TT impotent up front.

In the next 20 minutes we just laboured around losing the ball on the flank, hitting it long to the corner flag hoping for something or long for Stern to hold up. Then he would lose the ball as he was double and triple teamed with no midfield support.

The TT goal came against the run of play. Bermuda had us penned in and after an exchange of passes Stern finally got the ball and placed it in the far post….Goal…1-1 and I say ok we will step up the tempo and kill them off.

Eh heh TT went into bedroom mode and start to play casual casual as if they alone on the field and is level wood we start to get.

TT were slow to every ball, came second in every challenge, every air ball and every referee call. It was as if we were the away team…All the while the TSTT riddim section pounding away and supporters urging on the Team.

We trying, we trying and is nuttin happening, no movement off the ball, no tackling, no creative passes, no beating or taking on players…just a hoof, a hit and hope.

Bermuda then scored after a spell of possession…a cross came in and with a fwd runnin on to the ball Lawrence, and Hislop backed off to head it away..Ince comes off his line…Does not bawl “keeper” jumps and fumbles the ball colliding with Hislop and the Bermuda forward.
He lands awkwardly..I thought his wrist or shoulder break/he is not moving and all the other TT players standing up watching.

Meanwhile…Ball is in play and a Bermuda player picks up the loose ball and fires home into an empty net with the TT defence standing up, Hislop on the ground and Lawrence looking over them.

They tried to argue that Ince is injured but the ball never went out, the ref never stopped the play and TT are 2-1 down. Good Goal.

Then Ince stays down for about 5 minutes, the medic team runs on, the back up keeper warms up and then Ince gets up and continues like nothing is wrong.

Tweettttt half time

players cussing one another…body language not there. You could see tension and things just looking grim.

Tactically a side of big belley red men, some of whom, bun, cant trap or pass properly but running with all they heart and soul shut us down and we cyar see we way or come out the half.

The second half starts and Maturana takes off Hyland and puts in Farrier.

TT switch to a 4-3-3 and Bermuda goes into a 4-5-1 formation compact and tight hoping to hit us on the break.

TT then plays knock around in the back and nuttin for the rest of the game.

What I cannot understand is that Maturana makes no other positive subs…the last sub being Stephan david to replace telesford as telesford was tired from tackling wind and running into his own players.

Bermuda has a compact formation, two defensive zones and TT playing backs and fwds…the new tactic is that smith or farrier would play a long cross field ball for Scotland or Daniel to trap and try to get across.

Folks it was bad…..nuttin was happening and then Whitley and Carlos tried to make things happen.

Both players would try to form a small triangle, take on players and shoot if the opportunity came.

Carlos beat one, he beat two, he beat three and after all the hard work had no one to cross to or made a total mess of the final ball.

With 10 minutes left Ince was forced to come off his line to thwart the Bermuda fwd who could have scored to make it 3-1.

Then another comedy…the game was stopped as the net for one of the goal posts was loose in the back. Stern John then tries to climb up and fix the net. The crowd shouting “that is not your wuk” Then eventually the groundsman Ralphie appears and Whitley has to lift him up and put him on his shoulders to help tie the net…..( You ever see shit so)

Our own players chasing a goal hadda give man boost and help groundsman tie up goal post net with 10 minutes left to play.

Bermuda then start to milk the clock and TT tried to wake up passing the ball around and playing it to Scotland and Sterns feet in the box.

People start to leave and at times I actually had to stop and count the number of TT players on the field because it looked like if we were playing with 8 men. Bermuda turned it up a notch and start to knock the ball around and we couldnt touch it or see our way. Their 4-5-1, TOTALLY dominating our 4-3-3 and we never looked like threatening.

What was mindblowing is that Maturana did not change the formation, did not make any positive attacking subs and looked like he was trying for damage control rather than getting options going fwd. But given the squad selected with only Roberts as a attacking sub…he was short on players and ideas.

5 Damn minutes to go and is only then TT look like they wanted to play ball. Stern then beat two men and squared for Scotland who hit it straight at the keeper in the 6 yard box and then the worse throwaway for the night came when stern after trapping a ball and beating the last defender one on one with the keeper who is already scrambling on the ground hits it wide in the six yard box.

WHen I tell you the whole stadium Cuss….For all the shit TT play tonight had Stern taken his chances we would have won the game 3-2.

Tweeet thats it game done, Bermuda start to jump up like if they win the world cup and TT players walking back to the dressing room normal. No kinda emotion, no shame no nuttin…is like if they ent care.

I ent know what to say.

But this cutarse is the best thing that coulda happen to us!

The sheep and the goats got seperated long time ago and we done line up by the abattoir and the butchers have they knives sharpening.

It will take a MIRACLE to beat Bermuda 2-0 away.

Is not now we ketching we arse to create chances, is not now we defence playing shit and is not now the midfield deficient.

TT has to step up their game big time in order for us to move on to the next phase.

As for me I will not be surprised if we are eliminated. It will come sooner than later in this campaign but I would rather it at the hands of the USA….not Bermuda.

Additionally I think Maturana and the Corneals have to go. Wim was a better bet, tactically and with the style of play. Even if we get past Bermuda we have a month to sort out ourselves. It is off season. A one month camp with some of the regular players will be enough to beat Cuba and Guatemala. The youths have shown time and again they are not ready for this level.

Our World Cup dreams will be dashed in one weeks time if we do not muster a 2-0 away win. It is not impossible by any means, but for this group and this coach it is a uphill task indeed.

I dont know if there will be a next time on this campaign.

P.S. Happy Fathers Day

Yet again I bring to you my dear readers a tale of doom and gloom. I would say this performance was marginally better than the England game. But truth be told it was a contest between two mediocre teams, quality play was few and far between and plenty work has to be done by both Coaches. It is tough being a TT supporter and its becoming even more expensive to witness yet another poor performance by our beloved national team.

I was upset at my teams performance, the opposition, the scoreline, but most of all the dim witted clown posing as a referee and his trusty assistants.

My arrival to the COE was greeting by no parking signs and a few vendors trying to get rid of bandannas and other TT paraphernalia. I went in the uncovered section and after purchasing a ticket at the security booth, I passed through the chain link gate, received a Bmobile rag and noisemaker from a modelesque TSTT employee and took my seat on the makeshift stand that was erected.

Folks I liked the temporary stand, metal and slabs of plyboard, it was a bit wobbly but there was an intimate feeling, many a die hard was in attendance, all of whom were quite vocal in expressing their displeasure at the players or the officials on the field. Additionally there were a number of mini stands and it was easy for a group to commandeer a section for themselves. The stand was also right next to the fence providing an excellent view of the field and within earshot of the comments on the field. There was another stand filled with plastic chairs, on the covered section. But there were few patrons sitting in these. On the southern side of the ground behind the other goalpost the After Fete stage and Performance area was erected. For those who collected tickets for the England match it was this area that was used.

But I must say there were a large number of vendors selling everything from geera pork to chicken foot souse, shark and fries, hot dogs, burgers etc. There was a good police presence, plenty bins and a temporary bathroom was created behind the scoreboard with port-a-potties.

The Laventille rhythm section set up in the stand directly behind the goal and they provided the most entertainment for the afternoon, changing the tempo to match the action on the field. I would estimate the crowd to be around 2000 Max. The price, the quality of opposition, timing in relation to our next WCQ and location being factors attributed to the few spectators in attendance.

Both teams were warming up doing the usual small sided game, shuttles between cones and the prerequisite stretching exercises. Jamaica had a number of solid looking players while their TT counterparts were smaller in terms of stature and height. Additionally, there is a big difference in size between the overseas pros and the local based players. To put it in perspective; Carlos Edwards is by no means a big person. However, his arms were comparable in size to a few of the TT local based players, shin-pads and socks included.

TT came out in the old red adidas kit. JA in a yellow kit, not quite sure of their sponsor. I would like to know why are we still wearing our old uniforms? Having celebrated our centennial match, I would have thought we would be outfitted in the new strips currently being sold in Francis Fashions, but this was not to be. Both teams did not have names on their uniforms and the TT kits also had some cheap looking generic numbers rather than the official Adidas numbering.

The Management learned a few lessons from The England game Flag fiasco and no flags were brought out on the field. Instead players and officials faced the flags that were flown on the flag poles near the scoreboard. Jamaican fans added an intimidating “BOOM” during certain parts of their anthem and the 100 or so odd supporters were quite vocal for the opening moments of the match and at the end. The TT voices that were present sang our anthem as loud if not louder than the crowd at the England game and pretty soon the match was under way with JA dominating the opening proceedings.

T&T Squad:
1.Clayton Ince; 13.Kareem Smith, 4.Makan Hislop, 6.Dennis Lawrence, 15.Akile Edwards (3.Ancil Farrier 77th); 5.Osei Telesford, 7.Carlos Edwards (11.Kevon Carter 72nd), 8.Khaleem Hyland, 19.Keon Daniel (17.Kevaughn Connell 72nd) (18.Stephan David 86th), 9.Aurtis Whitley (capt); 12.Jason Scotland.

Jamaica Squad:
30.Donovan Ricketts; 5.Ian Goodison, 14.Jermaine Taylor, 3.Simon Ford (18.Deon Burton 68th), 17.O’Neil Thompson (16.Omar Daley 46th); 7.Evan Taylor, 15.Ricardo Gardener (capt), Demar Phillips, 24.Rudolph Austin; 6.Marlon King (23.Jermaine Johnson 82nd), 10.Ricardo Fuller (21.Luton Shelton 61st).

TT lined up in a kinda 4-4-2/4-5-1 formation. To me it was as if Scotland was alone up top, with no support. The midfield consisted of Telesford ad the defensive mid, whitley and hyland the creative, Daniel and Edwards on the flanks and a back four of Smith, Hislop, Lawrence and Edwards.

Jamaica had a 4-3-3 formation. Allowing TT to knock the ball around in the back and putting pressure near the half line.

Both teams played a similar style playing patient football, slow build up and trying the flank or through pass down the middle.

Both teams were also suffering from an overseas pro vs local player disparity in quality sort of game. All the pros and their quality stood out for both teams, the supporting casts however were never on the same page. King and Fuller looked a notch above their JA teammates, while Lawrence, Carlos and Scotland proved why they ply their trade overseas.

However, Gardener for JA looked a shadow of himself playing on the flank and seemed uninterested. Goodison was steady at the back, Burton showed a glimpse of hustle and run with no end product and Shelton on his introduction showed speed but not too much upstairs. The rest of the JA team are a bunch of labourers, simply trying to get it right. Poor Rene Simoes must have been wondering what level of la la his team was running with their “Big Guns” on the field and Mr. Maturana’s honeymoon period is over with the obvious problems not being addressed, game after game.

Maturana my dear readers is simply “forming track for gouti to run” and with each passing game the tracks getting not only deeper, but resembling a carriageway, asphalt and shoulder included.

As mentioned before, it only takes so long before a player is found out. The bag of magic dust finishing if you will and Smith, Daniel, Telesford, A Edwards and to a lesser extent Hyland and Hislop all seem to be running on “E”

It is no fault of their own, they simply are not up to international World Cup standards as yet and our TT team is not a collection of the best XI in the nation but rather a training exercise, with the purpose of auditioning players for contracts overseas, providing comic relief for opponents and heart attack moments for nationals, whilst providing a hole in the pocket for the die hards of TT.

TT for the first 10-15 minutes could not come out of our half. Playing the ball around in the back….. as soon as the ball arrived in the middle the Jakan forwards closed down the space, put in the tackle and lack of support by the TT middle, errant passing or playing the ball back resulted in negative football. Ja to their credit attempted to hustle fwd but King was effectively dealt with by Lawrence and Fuller by Hislop or Whitley.

After 10 minutes the heavens opened up. Rain like fuss time and all of us in the uncovered stands ran for whatever shelter that we could find. Some sat and took the rain like champions. I with a few others climbed under the stands and looked at the match through the wood and metal. Funny enough you still had a good view of the field and none of the action was missed. After the rain subsided, there was a slight drizzle in the air but the pitch was still perfect. The surface was a bit slick so any advantage went to the outfield players.

The game was poorly officiated, TT not getting any calls, blatant fouls, corners, throw ins and advantage calls were not given. Additionally injuries to players were ignored. The ref allowing play to go on when serious fouls were committed, few yellow cards were shown and the TT players received them for silly things like Telesford kicking away the ball.

It was a real battle on the field, elbows, short jabs to midsections, late tackles etc were the norm and most challenges resulted in a player or two down for a couple seconds. I was also disappointed that we took so much abuse at home and only Whitley and Telesford stood up to the Jakans and dished it out. There were three moments in the game where fights threatened to break out, Whitley was involved in all, either standing up for his teammates or not being taken advantage off. From my vantage point there was a free kick incident and within the TT wall King decided to step on Whitleys foot and elbow him in his guts. The ref was being distracted moving the ball for the free kick and the linesman was talking to some players. Whitley and King squared off. King attempted to push/strike/hold whitley near his throat and whitley feinted and hit him POW in he eye. He then calmly turned and went back into his position in the wall.

The game was not free flowing and JA were not able to string more than 3-5 passes without the play being broken up or the pass being errant. TT allowed them way too much space and respect giving them the opportunity to reach the top of the box, but they were always short of ideas and wasted every corner, free kick or through ball opportunity.

Ince made a number of good saves, with Fuller or King hitting a few shots at goal. Ince also came off his line bravely a number of times to clean up.

Lawrence tried his best to talk to Smith, Edwards and Hislop who were all making last ditch tackles, losing the ball with no pressure, making the errant pass or not paying attention to the long cross field balls. We gave away a number of corners and throw ins and even at this level big men making foul throws giving the ball to the opposition in dangerous places.

I was disappointed in the wing-backs not using their room and going forward. With no players on them, time and space being afforded, they simply would hold up the play or knock it back. Giving a ball to a player in a pressure situation or losing the ball in the process.

We have no concept of a counter attack or long ball. Sometimes TT were faced with 1 v 1 or 2 v 3 going fwd on the break and instead of going to goal we would stop hold up the ball and negate any advantage or we would simply mess up the pass and give it back to the opposition.

In the first half we had one attempt = one shot = one goal.

An errant back pass was intercepted by Daniel. All he had to do was take on the Jakan last stopper 1 v1 at the top of the box. Instead he delayed, ran near the wing and passed it to Scotland with two men on his back. Scotland twisted and turned and to me it looked like the opportunity was gone as the Jakan defense came back. However he screened the ball well cut inside and set up the onrushing Hyland who with a neat bullet put the ball far post and out of the keepers reach.

The crowd went wild, The rhythm section start to get louder, men start to jump up and the Jakans were quiet…. not a peep from them both on and off the field. In fact that goal clearly disrupted all the plans by Simoes, TT gained a bit more confidence and we started to stroke the ball around more.But after a few passes we just played the ball laterally, lost it. Had nothing again going fwd and when not in possession, escorting players instead of tackling.

Keon Daniel has been found out. Another poor performance from him. He provided nothing defensively, limed whole evening on the wing, did not get past his marker once, only blade in he tail and just was ineffective. Everybody in my section was calling for him and Aklie Edwards to come off as the first sub.

Telesford is a poor mans Davids. He try to play the defensive mid role and I will give him some pips for the aggression. But the last ditch wild man tackles were due to mistakes he made and he trying to recover, poor positioning and his passes were poor.

Hyland and Whitley kept getting in each others way and it made no sense to play both of them in the same role. The understanding was not there, all of the mid-fielders were up under one another not giving each other the proper outlet or space to play. No off the ball runs. And they were not doing the simple play early enough. Additionally TT players did not want to shoot the ball. Passing the responsibility, falling down or just making a mess of things at the top of the box.

Hyland also learned today that to be effective you do the simple things first time. All the fancy beat and flick he try were dealt with by the Jakan midfield and he get some proper blade in he arse. At one point he got a two footed lunge and I swear the man foot break or he ankle mess up. The ref ent even watch him and said play on. For 3 minutes he on the ground rolling around and the medics cant come on the field.

Poor Carlos had another frustrating game, both he and Scotland. No support, nobody to pass to and just no cooperation from the other players. Carlos repeatedly was begging Smith to help him or Hyland in the middle. He beat one, he beat two and nuttin. Scotland beating his men nice whole evening screening three men at a time and nobdy inside to pass to or no midfield supporting him. A proper game of backs and forwards which we are yet to fix.

Half time came and went and the action pretty much the same as before. Ja having more possession and doing nothing with it. TT when in possession knocking the ball in the back and making mistakes in the midfield, no clue going fwd and bad passing in the final third or nobody inside becoming the order of the day.

Jamaica nearly scored a wonderful goal by King. Bad passing between Hislop and one of the wingbacks resulted in King picking up a loose ball, he beat somebody and in the 18 rifled a bullet that graze the V. A proper throwaway and TT held on for the rest of the game by a Hope and a Prayer. It is not that Jamaica were dangerous but simply our defenders made the simplest thing look hard and nerves started to kick in.

Maturana then made some subs which made a difference. Carter and Connell came on and immediately started to go forward, using the wings and taking on players. Carter then had a nice interchange of passes beat a few players and was through on goal scoring a nice side foot past the keeper. I was right there behind the linesman. It was a good genuine goal. Scotland did not touch the ball and was not interfering with the play. The lines man got some proper cuss from the crowd, and to an outsider one would think that the linesman would have a sibling in a few months time.

Hyland also got a good opportunity, passing neatly with Scotland and with a man on his back turned the defender in the 18 and slapped a bullet wide. It looked like sure goal and had it scored Ja would not have seen their way. With them already being on the back foot.

Connell then started to take on players and I was seeing a spark in this player. Then all of a sudden he make a bad trap. He make a bad flick under no pressure, he collect a jam and 5 minutes later that is the end of him. A shame really as he was looking good going fwd drawing players out of position and his pace had the jakan defence worried.

Carter had the wing back on my side hot with some nice footwork and push pull beat. However after getting past his man he simply had no one to cross to and the balls across the box went to no one. No supporting midfield as they were liming near the half line and the lack of support apparent.

Game then wound down, crowd start to get excited, it was the 90th min by my watch and people started to leave the game. All the Jakans quiet quiet knowing that all they Britz and big guns they had on the field couldn’t do nothing vs a poor TT outfit and they were shame with they tail between they legs. Even the players on the field seemed to concede defeat when a long speculative ball which should have been dealt with by the defence was left alone.

Shelton with his speed blow past the defence and Ince comes out to make the save. Shelton never had the ball under control, was never likely to get it and from my view Ince touches ball only and pushes it out of play and for some reason the ref blow and penalty is awarded. It was never a penalty. Men start to cuss….. Maturana off the bench quarrelling with the 4th official, the TT side drop they head and they dejected. Shelton score. The undeserved Jakan lifeline was celebrated and all there know how lucky they were to escape.

I never hear a stadium steups and cuss so in unison and with 2 minutes extra time to be played. TT instead of going for goal playing like they in their bedroom and knockin ball around at the top of the box instead of piping bullet.

At the final whistle I left the COE vex, with the TT performance, the JA performance and the scoreline. They get away, the killer instinct and passion just evaporated and the ref…..well he should not officiate a game ever again.

Folks the sheep have been separated from the goats long time. We know the problems and yet we still cant fix them. Both managers I am sure were disappointed by the performances and JA ent looking like they coming out they group. We probably right now only good to get past Bermuda and we will struggle. I cannot see where the goals are going to come from and our system of play is not creating any chances. Even with Stern and KJ there is no service, no bite in the middle and a shaky defence. Any organized team will exploit us.

However the positives are…1) Ince is a boss. 2) Carlos is a Boss, 3) Lawrence still have it, 4) a ¼ fit Scotland is still class and worries. 5) Whitley is a fighter and die hard, full commitment and we know what he could do. 6) Hyland have talent but have to mature real fast. 7) We could work with Hislop, Connell and Carter.

The rest of the team…..we up the creek without a paddle and sinking fast.

Till next time.

I could not help but feel depressed at the end of the England match yesterday.
What transpired on the field did not surprise me, as the problems which were evident over the past few games continually cropped up. But I felt we could have kept the score line a bit more respectable and we should have taken at least one goal in this match.

Needless to say it is the best TT performance of Maturana’s tenure thus far, scoreline not withstanding. There were less errors, more attempts at getting fwd, I saw some composure in the back, we tried to knock the ball and maintain possession and I think we can beat Bermuda on current form. However we are not ready for Guatemala, Cuba and USA as yet.

Let us remember the caliber of opposition we were playing, a far cry from Barbados and Grenada. But at the same time England took their foot off the gas. They did not really tackle us or pressure us, they gave us a level of room and respect that would not be afforded by our Concacaf neighbours and they waited for us to make the mistake and then regained possession.

But lets go back to the story shall we.

I was really hyped after seeing the England training and all the reports online and in the news.

Woke up early, instead of getting the morning paper near to my house I took a drive round the stadium and it was a buzz of activity, (Its about 8:30am) Vendors setting up, tstt setting up some small goalpost inside the stadium, men putting up railings, music firing up. I say yes it looking busy.

After getting a few phone calls, members of my squad went down from 12 to secure a good seat and I left my house clad in my White Latapy Jersey, My red puma shoes and a tall red and white socks. My iron drinking cup and my small drum/rattle completed the outfit.

The intention was to park on the Ave and walk in but I was greeted by No parking signs and a wrecker was patrolling. So I decided to pay for a bit of piece of mind, parking in the Princess Elizabeth center and $30 poorer walked to the front of the stadium.

It is now 1:00 and everyone was clad in white. A few wore their red Trinidad jerseys, some locals in a white England kit, a White Manu or Arsenal but a lot of people have purchased the new white TT kit much to my surprise. It was funny though as the Warriors did not play in the kit being offered by Francis fashions, but rather they came out in something looking like a training kit with the TT crest hurriedly sewn on the center.

I had an extra ticket to scalp and after disposing of it. I held my remaining ticket aloft, walked tru the long metal gates by St Johns Ambulance and was frisked by a security officer. After passing them I was now in the Crawford compound and I received 2 little scrolls to win some competition or the other. A smiling TSTT beauty handed me a white rag. Then the scent of horse dung alerted my senses. Skipping thru the hay filled obstacle course I makkoed the lunch and lime fete…which was a total BUSS in the JP complex. Not a person inside.

After walking away I looked at some English visitors string up a green and white TSTT goalkeeper in a white small post with makeshift field. Nice interactive touch by tstt.

After getting my ticket scanned and getting the green light. I received a match program and I made my way upstairs to the action.

Truth be told I reach late…it is now 1:30 and the entire half line section and 18 yard areas were completely filled. Only corner flag and behind the post seating was available and everyone was holding seat for they pardner. I found my crew sat down and waited for the action to start. It was overcast, weather was muggy but we got a spell of rain that brought out the umbrellas from some and sighs of relief from others. Strong men started to strip down, The white outfits started to print out and the eyefood started to be shared in heaping portions.

The Big Flag that was being used to shade those underneath had to be rolled up quickly when the rain came down and it was a beautiful sight contrasting against the white background.

I had a pack of cards on me, the squad had a dominoes set, but as the seats were wet it didn’t make sense so we killed time “Trini” way. Cup get rinse, ice was filled, scotch start to pour and then it was all good. My bamsee then started to get corn from sitting in the seat for so long so I used the opportunity to walk about. Met quite a few friends who I have not seen in ages and the time passed by quickly. I was also introduced to a new concoction. Potent, a tad sweet but enjoyable….folks alyuh try Puncheon and Sorrel Shandy…It guaranteed to Beam To You Up after 3 sip.

Anyways the team came out on the field to warm up and then I noticed the atmosphere.
It was dead, not lively, no setta jammishness, no kinda vibes, no passion as compared to previous games. Without getting into it, lets just say grounds had a different demographic and ethnic composition. I suspect that the Online ticket system coupled with the price of admission was used as a Social Filter and the attendance was also younger and seemed new to football and how to support.

The speakers in the grounds section were not working properly so the announcer and the music was not too audible. Exodus, the Tassa group and maximus were not heard and poor maximus was trying to get the problem fixed thinking it was the mic and trying to whip up support in the crowd but people ent take him on too much.

TT warm up was starting XI near to grounds stretching doing passes and a small sided game. The subs across by covered stands. Keepers being put tru their paces by Brow and the English in three separate groups defence, mid, forwards doing their own passing and running drills.

Again Stern and Kenwyne aside we were generally smaller than them in stature.
Crouch got some boos, Beckham got the loudest cheer whenever he touched the ball and after the teams went back in the tunnel the embarrassment began.

England comes out with a Huge flag nearly the size of the WN big flag, held by 6-8 children. TT standing next to it has a regular sized flag held by two children….OH dear it looked so poor. We are home….chants of our flag too small, our flag too small filled the air and SPALK had to piggy back and say Look up at the big Flag in the Stands to
Help deflect the glaring embarrassment. Anthems played on Steel Pan and TT patrons sang the anthem loud and true.

Then they announce the officials and Dignitaries and Gary Hunt get the loudest collective BOO I have heard. They announce Jack after and he get applause. Yes he get a few murmers of discontent and steups but generally he get clap. Yorke get a clap, Hasley Crawford get a clap.

TT played a 4-4-2 in a white Kit that looking like a training uniform. England played a 4-4-2. as well morphing into a 3-5-2 at times.

TT: Ince, Cupid, Lawrence, Hislop, Farrier,
Carlos Edwards, Hyland, Whitley, Daniel, John, Jones.

Subs: Phillip, Roberts, Telesford, Smith, Adams, Guerra, Tinto, Yorke.

England: James, Johnson, Ferdinand, Woodgate, Bridge, Beckham,
Barry, Gerrard, Downing, Ashton, Defoe.

Subs: Hart, Lewis, Warnock, Wheater, Jagielka, Bentley, Young, Huddlestone, Crouch, Walcott, Agbonlahor.

Well lets just say after the touch TT tried to play the ball around and England just waited for them to make mistakes. The errant pass was picked up by the English midfield and they start to spread it and run at us with pace.

We lost the game due to a non existent tackling midfield and poor wingbacks. A problem that I have not seen corrected since Maturana has been in charge. It is a player selection issue.

No steel in the middle and no tacklers allowed England to pass the ball freely. Keon Daniel played on the wing and did not tackle or track back. Beckham was wide and free as a bird whole night and kept on swinging in cross after cross under No pressure.

Poor Cupid, what can I say..he get a 2.69 on BBC player rater and men in the crowd Christen him “To Who” …..as that is all they was shouting everytime he attempted to pass the ball or when he lost it.

He has struggled consistently. He was rescued by being subbed vs Jamaica, He redeemed himself vs Grenada and he was average vs Bdos but he is not ready for this level of ball yet. Let him get experience in the club system and let him put in his dues in his national team age group.

Hislop try a thing back was shakey, Lawrence was not concentrating and move a bit sloppy at times. Farrier try but the difference in quality was evident.

The problem is/was is that once the midfield not tackling and loafing wide or wherever the defence under pressure right tru. Is a setta last ditch effort and lunging tackle save us.

We still not creative going fwd and Stern, kenwyne for the few minutes he was on Roberts, Forbes etc never got a good ball or opportunity going fwd.

Keon Daniel hit Johnson a push pull beat on the flank and Hyland hit Gerrard a spanner in the middle but these individuals things did not transpire into any clear cut opportunity.

The first goal was a nice interplay of passes by England cross comes in and Barry looked to score a flying header or volley past Ince. Now I knew we would concede eh…but so early? I mean we supposed to weather at least a 20 min.

The second goal was real poor. Midfield ent tackle, Cupid back off…Ince shouting at him to cover and tackle and Defoe score a simple side footer far post from the top of the 18.
A real soft goal defence and midfield standing up arguing and watching.

However I find Ince save real good. He stop some certain goal, he save some bullet, he went down by men feet and save some 1v1 . He even gallery heself by chest trapping a header from Crouch then collecting it and throwing it upfield. He was off his line well, he was communicating well with his players giving instructions, he distributed well and came for all the corners and crosses that I saw. Is only the 2nd goal I vex with him for.

Kenwyne coming off was a real disappointment and to me it looked like James caught him on his shin or knee with a boot. Roberts came on and looked lost, he ent get no passes and even though he made the correct fwd runs. Nothing came his way . Imagine he got subbed at the ½ for what?

After that England overs and just play out the rest of the game. I don’t even think they tried. They knock the ball around, didn’t go into any tackle, all fouls were some pull jersey/ big body kinda screen and they look disinterested.

TT on the other hand then tried to string passes together but mistakes, poor communication and players STANDING UP and not supporting resulted in our attack being stifled. We were our own worse enemy. Not doing the simple things, not running off the ball, not tracking back and pointing and blaming each other. I detected a star boy mentality on the field and I saw Edwards, Stern and the other overseas players gesticulating and being aggressive to their local conterparts. While it was deserved you could see the chemistry and cohesion not there.

Whitley play like a boss. Tackling intercepting and trying to go fwd but he could not do it alone. Hyland showed what he was made of but…he tried to hard and some things just didn’t work or he was overeager making mistakes.

Carlos showed his touch and beat were there but I fault him for taking too long and not doing the play simple or moving fast enough but he was one of the few looking like he had a clue.

Stern realized he was not getting any service up front and dropped back to help the midfield, to try to slow up the pace and to try and bring out the ball. I find as a senior player he tried and did what he could I cant fault him this game.

The rest….just tried the best they could and there is no shame in that.

Farrier try, Smith come on and make some bad pass but he clean up in the back, he even breed crouch falling down. Telesford was the best sub, showing aggression, running into space, supporting and making room. But he come on too little too late.

Dwight Yorke…is still the boss and I feel we have a WCQ campaign in him still. His touch was on, the screening ability, the way he took pressure off the side and his passes were crisp. We could still use him.

Now a sub came on a #12 didn’t get his name but he was running fast and looking useful….he try a ting but get some jam.

Forbes had zero impact. But the damage was already done.

Throughout it all we had about 3 opportunities to score…and we should have put them away. One in the first half and about 2 in the second. Somebody blaze over bar and other was cleared off the line by a defender.

I did not see Englands 3rd goal as I was downstairs in the bathroom and by the bar. It probably happened right as the 2nd half started. I didn’t hear anything so I was shocked when the final whistle went and I looked up at the scoreboard and saw Eng 3.
I had to ask all around me when that happen, who score and how it transpired.

All in all we did not get a cutarse, but we could have made the game more competitive, we should have scored and I think we could have been able to keep a clean sheet and frustrate the English longer.

There are positive signs, we have improved since the first game and players are now understanding their role. However lack of midfield aggression, lack of creativity going forward and our defence is cause for concern. We do not have the time to groom a player…WCQ is this month. We trying them against poor opposition and they struggling, we need to bring back Birchall, Cyd, and Sancho to help out and provide experience and their talents.

Jamaica game is on this Saturday. But to pay the same price as England…$300. I ent sure it worth it. Especially as I intend to go to the more important Bermuda qualifier.
Anybody with a Oval pass could organize a link for me?

Till next time.