'Tappa' plans immediate Reggae Boyz shake-up

Gordon Williams, Gleaner Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida:

JAMAICA'S senior men's head football coach, Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, is not happy with his team's approach and has vowed a shake-up of the current Reggae Boyz, in a drastic attempt to "nip in the bud" what he fears is complacency, ahead of World Cup qualifiers which begin in 2012.

In a post-match changing room dress-down, following Jamaica's fourth consecutive loss - a 2-0 defeat to Colombia here on Tuesday night - an upset Whitmore warned his charges that with "immediate effect" he will be taking the team in a new direction.

"Last night after the game we had a meeting with the players and we let them know it's gonna be a different ball game going forward," Whitmore said yesterday.

During the meeting, the coach asked the players directly if they were satisfied with the opportunities they had been given to stake a claim for places in the Reggae Boyz squad to prepare for the qualifiers. He said not all had done enough to earn those spots.

He also explained that the coaching staff and the team will be evaluated. Then he will set off on an intense hunt for players to bolster the squad, a search which will include local and overseas-based talent.

"We have to take a couple of days and do a self-assessment in terms of coaching staff, playing staff and where we want to go forward, and we'll make the decision as to where we go," Whitmore said.

That decision will come soon. The changes, both in approach and player personnel, Whitmore explained, will be instituted in time for Jamaica's next international game, which could be as early as next month.

According to Whitmore, some players - including seasoned veterans - have started to "expect" to see themselves in the squad, believing their selection is automatic, while others are too easily satisfied making the squad without being willing to improve their attitude and game. He said the number of guilty ones is still small and their influence has not permeated the entire squad. But he is not willing to wait to see if it can.

"It is just a select handful and, as our Jamaican saying goes, you have to nip it in the bud from now, before we reach next year," the coach explained. " ... Something definitely has to change, and will change."

Early Hint of clampdown

Before the Colombia game, Whitmore had hinted his intention to clamp down on his team. While he said it is necessary for him to quickly fix the problems, he also understands that further deterioration through poor results could lead to his removal as head coach.

"I have a job to do, you know, and if I don't do it well, the (Jamaica Football) Federation will get rid of me," Whitmore reasoned. "I have to do it to the best of my ability."

The Colombia game offered possible glimpses of what Whitmore has in store. Several players were heard discussing the post-match meeting. Eric Vernan, a regular member of the national team, was seen sitting in the Lockhart Stadium stands during the game. There was no report from team management that he was unfit or otherwise incapable of playing.

Captain Shavar Thomas declined to discuss details of the Tuesday night's meeting, but acknowledged the coach was in an uncompromising mood.

"Let's put it this way," Thomas said, "we had a very serious team talk."

Pressed if Whitmore was happy with the team, Thomas was more direct.

"(He) could never be satisfied," he said.

Was it only surrounding the Colombia game, the captain was asked.

"No, no," Thomas replied. "I mean, everything."

Whitmore said he will also be injecting new blood into the squad because some of the current crop is not up to standard. Some players, he said, lack international quality, others the proper attitude. A few carry a combination of shortcomings.

"I think we have players here now who are comfortable; players who are just comfortable coming on a trip," the coach said. "I always explain to them, you have an opportunity that a lot of players would want to but haven't gotten the chance. Take for instance going to China (for the August 10 friendly); no player right now would take up his money and buy a ticket to go to China for two or three days. If it is only being on a trip then it makes no sense.

"You have players, both local and overseas, who have gotten a fair chance and did not come up with the goods," he added.