John Barnes

GEORGE TOWN, Grand Cayman

THEODORE WHITMORE appears set to change the 4-4-2 formation that was utilised by John Barnes in his latter set of matches as head coach of the Reggae Boyz.

But don't expect it to happen just yet.

"I don't want to go into formations at this point in time," noted Whitmore. "We're still looking around on our team. Basically, most of our players are still not here for the Gold Cup, so we don't want to be twisting and turning players around."

The newly appointed Jamaica head coach made the comments yesterday morning after a practice session at the Truman Bodden Sports Complex in the Cayman Islands.

The team is being hosted for a one-week training camp by the Cayman Islands Football Association and will play two matches - against a Cayman Islands All-Stars team tomorrow and another against its national senior team on Sunday.

regulars

With most of its regulars either still in Europe or engaged with their clubs in Major League Soccer in the United States, the majority of the players in the Jamaica squad here are seeking a spot in the Gold Cup squad.

At a press conference shortly after the team's arrival here on Tuesday, Whitmore, who had served as interim coach ahead of Barnes' coming, had already indicated that he is going to change the formation.

"It is likely that we'll see a change," he responded when the question was posed.

"We've to look at the players who we have, what suits them and what they're more comfortable with. It's all about that. We don't want to put anyone under any unnecessary pressure and that's why in my time as interim coach we were successful because I used players where they are comfortable."

Asked about the likelihood of a 3-5-2 or 4-3-3, Whitmore replied: "Well, I don't know, but it's likely that we'll see a change."