Richard Bryan, Freelance Writer

Seba's coach, Theodore Whitmore. - file

WITH THE focus shifting at the time to the second end-of-round challenge between Tivoli and eventual winner Waterhouse, it might have gone unnoticed that Seba had lifted themselves to 29 points in the Cash Plus Premier League and some measure of respectability again.

It seemed like distant memory that the MoBay team had looked a cinch for a place in the first end-of-round final in November. On 16 points then, Seba had produced their best run in years and needed a further three points from three games but a reversal, akin to that experienced by Harbour View two seasons ago, set in and discoloured that picture.

Proximity to the perennial front-running four of Harbour View, Tivoli, Waterhouse and Portmore United is an important achievement for the other eight teams, and is really the acid test of one's stature in the league.

However, having regained their foothold, Seba's problems are far from over and the form they show appears intricately linked to the schedule of their coach, Theodore Whitmore.

After watching his team display vintage form to demolish Reno 4-1 at STETHS in the final match of the round last Thursday, Whitmore confessed his elevation to the national coaching ranks was responsible for Seba's plunge in the standings.

"One of the major factors (behind Seba's poor run) was when I left to the national programme.

Complacency set in and some of the players feel they only have the vibes to play only when I am there," Whitmore told The Gleaner. "I also made a mistake in that I did not leave a special programme in place. I corrected that this time around as I left 'Bigga' (Norman Foster), our senior player, with a specific programme to carry out," he said.

National programme

Whitmore's dilemma is not peculiar as other coaches when attached directly to the national programme have seen their club teams suffer. Particular reference can be made to Boys' Town and Carl Brown and, for the last 10 years, Wendell Downswell and Reno. There have also been quiet mutterings of similar scenarios being gradually played out for Lennie Hyde (Harbour View) and Desmond Duckie (St Georges).

Whitmore faces a balancing act, one he must get right, especially as his tenure will be assessed after three months under new technical director René Simoes. While he relishes the privilege to be part of the national coaching set-up, Whitmore believes the priority is for Seba to regain their footing as one of the rural flagbearers at this level.

"I believe it's time that Seba stop just fighting to stay in the league every year. We are better than that," he claims.

Several pundits believe that part of Seba's problem in recent years is the absence of talent reminiscent of the quality of players like Paul 'Tegat' Davis, Casman Williams an Sterling.

Whitmore does not believe that and says: "We are getting good players not necessarily from St James. As you can see two of the players that scored (against Reno) are not from MoBay."

The players referred to are Kemar Mills, who hails from Clarendon, and Donovan Peart (Manchester).

What he feels is a pressing need for better training facilities in St James.

And is there any role left for him as a player?

He laughs and says, "A baller's days never finish. I always keep myself fit; you never know. I still have the touches and if my players have a problem with certain instructions I just tek the ball and show dem in training."