We have beaten Honduras away from home once before. Based on how
the teams are now positioned in the group, we MUST do it again in order to have
at least a play-off chance to reach RIO 2014.
They have scored 14 goals against us when we have played there in
8 matches; we have scored 4 against them when we have played there.
I hear the fat lady rehearsing in the dressing room, and this game
obviously will determine how far up the RIO mountain we will go. Jamaica MUST
win this game; although we are the only team in this round of matches without a
win.
What I have put forward as my team and strategy is solely based on
the players now available for selection. There are other players I would have
included in the squad.
MY TEAM
Ricketts,
Mariappa, Gordon, Powell, Woodbine, McCleary, Austin, Beckford, Robinson,
Elliott, Daley
POSSIBLE CHANGES
Teddy Johnson, Jermaine Hue,
Ryan Johnson, Lovel Palmer, K Daley
I did not factor Lovel Palmer
into the formation because obviously he is not in the team at the moment, why?
I don’t know. He is much too multi-faceted to be left out of the squad.
Ricketts
Gordon Mariappa
Daley Austin Woodbine
Powell Elliott
McCleary (Hue)
Robinson (Teddy) Beckford
(R Johnson)
Our major problem is the
creation of good scoring opportunities and scoring goals. If you look closely
at the formation, there are triangles all over the place. Any pass must be
supported by two other passes, even if the players are marked; the pass should
be available. This is a branch of the 5-3-2 formation, however, can still be
classified as 4-4-2, depending on how you choose to look at it and how the
players are used.
I must add that commendation
must be given to the coaching staff for squad selection. Although, the squad
could be a little deeper, however, so be it.
MY STRATEGY
Give Alvas Powell a free
role, his burly presence, speed and stamina must be imposed on the opposing
team, he has the goods. Give Alvas, McCleary and Robinson the flank to exploit.
Scenario 1 (Right Side)
If Alvas goes to get a cross
over, McCleary drops to support, Daley and Austin step up and Elliott covers.
Robinson to cross over to the back post and Beckford comes near post for the
cross. An alternative can be an inside pass for Austin to shoot from outside
the box.
Scenario 2 (Right Side)
If Robinson goes to get a
cross over, Alvas supports, Daley and Austin step up and Elliott covers.
McCleary goes back post and Beckford comes near post. I have given the
alternative already.
Scenario 3 (Right Side)
If McCleary goes to get a
cross over, Alvas supports, Daley and Austin step up and Elliott covers.
Robinson goes back post, Beckford comes near post. Alternative already
established and not restricted to Austin taking the shot.
The only difference on the
left side is that Beckford would not be going out on the flank, McCleary would
have to double up there, if winded, Woodbine can come into action with Elliott
filling that gap left when Woodbine comes forward. I want Beckford inside to
meet the crosses with headers on goal.
The defense is really doing
what it is to do and I would not change anything other than to remain alert for
the entire game.
If the attack breaks down, or
is not on, it is important we maintain possession of the ball; the Reggae Boyz
will burn less energy this way.
I would bring on Teddy
Johnson in the second half for Robinson or Beckford, although I think Robinson
would be more winded because he would be shouldering more responsibility.
I would bring on Hue for
McCleary and urge Hue to give 100% while on the pitch, because he is not being
asked to play the entire match. The only thing I would need from Hue
consistently are those searching passes to hit Beckford or Teddy in the box,
they will have to do the rest. I am also sure Alvas Powell will find himself in
the mix, and I am quite comfortable with that because he gets back to position
quite easily. There are many other variations of attack I can come up with, but those are the ones with a higher probability of scoring, ‘In My View’.
We need to have the Hondurans (Los Catrachos) thinking about what we are going to do. Los Catrachos have qualified for the World Cup as recent as 2010 in the same group as the revered Spain. However, they finished bottom of the table just as in 1982. Of note is that Honduras have defeated the USA,
drew with Mexico and lost to Costa Rica and Panama in these round of matches
thus far.
I need to have that fat lady
gagged, so Jamaica…….YOU KNOW WHAT IS REQUIRED.
© 2013 Antonio Bell. All rights
reserved
Follow on twitter: @antoniobellmc
Disclaimer
All the commentary posted in this publication
are my personal view(s) and do not reflect the view(s) of any Association,
Federation or Governing Body.
