The Jamaica Star :: Sport :: The team will take shape

Nodley Wright, Freelance Writer

René Simoes - Levaughn flynn

Despite the concerns raised about the size of the squad, 29, named to begin preparation for Jamaica's World Cup qualifiers, technical director René Simoes expressed confidence that he will find what he is looking for and that the team will take shape.

Questions have been asked about the absence of a classy defender in the squad as well as a truly creative midfielder with the ability to unlock a defence. These are among the areas he hopes to have figured out by the end of the camp.

"The last time we had more time to qualify the team so there was more time to select players, but this time we have to look for one libero (sweeper)," said Simoes.

"I don't like to play three defenders. I like to play one sweeper and two stoppers so we have to look for that. What I heard is that Simon Ford can play like that, Richard Langley, I understand, can also play there and that Keniel Moodie can do it too. We have to find that player in under one month, we have to fix that," he said of the troublesome sweeper's position.

Fight for places

While Theodore Whitmore ruled the roost in the national team in the run up to the 1998 World Cup, Andy Williams was often the player trying to unseat him in that creative role and according to Simoes, Williams' recall is to possibly fill that void.

"I am hoping that Andy Williams can fit that role. We are also hoping that Jermaine Johnson has matured more and will be able to play that role as well. We also have good information about Lee Williamson so let us see what he has," explained Simoes, indicating that players will have to fight for their places.

Even with the competitive nature of the camp, Simoes said he still expected a harmonious relationship among his players.

"I think the players are happy because some of them play together. I know it will be harder this time because it is a competition and everybody will want to be in the squad," he said.

New approach

On the question of other players being left out of the squad at this time, Simoes cited a past experience as a reason not to comment specifically about any players' weakness or reasons for not being invited.

"I have taken this new approach where I do not make much public comments about players' weaknesses because I had a very disappointing and ugly experience in Trinidad and Tobago. Once I did not like what I saw about players and I wanted them to improve on certain weaknesses, and I said it but it did not go down well," he stated.

"I wanted them to work on their weaknesses and after that they could become available to the squad. It went down terribly. After that the players improved and afterwards became a part of the unit but the damage was done in the team so this time I try not to make public comments about specific weaknesses of players," he explained, while indicating that some players still had a chance in the future.