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“Soca Warriors” head coach Stephen Hart is pleased with his complement of attacking players for the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup and praised the supposed dynamism of his new recruits.
Hart, who took Trinidad and Tobago to the quarterfinal round of the 2013 Gold Cup, selected Portland Timbers 2 forward Rundell Winchester, Iceland-based attacker Jonathan Glenn and St Ann’s Rangers teenager Kadeem Corbin on his final 23-man squad.
Corbin will represent Trinidad and Tobago at the 2015 CONCACAF Gold Cup.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
They beat out a list of alternatives that included Defence Force’s Devorn Jorsling, Shillong Lajong’s Cornell Glen, DIRECTV W Connection’s Shahdon Winchester and Austin Aztex’s Trevin Caesar.
And Hart believes the dynamism of the trio will serve the Warriors well in the United States-based tournament.
“They are three sort of dynamic players (and) they love to run behind,” Hart told the TTFA Media. “They are players that have good pace and energy. I think both Corbin and Winchester need to learn how to use their qualities better.
“Glenn is almost a pure finisher. He runs behind and he is very composed in the finishing.
“Overall I am quite pleased so far.”
At present, the 27-year-old Glenn, who debuted at the 2014 Caribbean Cup, has just two international caps—both as substitute—and no goals. Winchester (R) and Corbin have also never scored at senior international level after four and one outings respectively.
(Courtesy Wired868)
It is crucial to the Warriors’ chances that they create viable options for the squad, though, although they are not guaranteed playing time ahead of the more experienced quartet of skipper Kenwyne Jones, Lester Peltier, Willis Plaza and Cordell Cato.
Hart believes he has variety in the midfield area too and praised the contribution of Columbus Crew ball winner Kevan George in a training match against Haiti.
The 25-year-old George made his debut as a substitute against the United Arab Emirates on 5 September 2013. Since then, he has made ten more international appearances, although he has largely been an understudy to central midfielders Khaleem Hyland and Andre Boucaud.
Hart suggested George’s time might be coming.
“I thought Kevan George was outstanding against Haiti,” said Hart. “He hurried, he picked up balls in the midfield and he cut out passes into the passing lane. He did everything and showed high energy.
“And then Hyland and Boucaud came on and settled us down and they moved the ball quickly. Of course they play differently. So yes it shows we have a bit of depth and variety in midfield.”
The Warriors leave Fort Lauderdale for Chicago on Tuesday in anticipation of their Gold Cup opener against Guatemala on Tuesday.
Hart is still working on getting his squad mentally and tactically ready for the task ahead.
“I think we need to do a little more work tactically,” said Hart. “Our mentality when the ball is lost (must be) to try and win it back. We still have a tendency to switch off on occasions.
“And even when some players are switched on the ones behind them are not picking up the outlet passes quick enough. We need to keep plugging away at the sort of the mindset of defending higher up the pitch and earlier.”
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High hopes for Rundell!
I for one am a big fan of Winchester. Not too sure if Corbin is ready for the international step up just yet but time will tell.
Gordon Pierre leave my Mr. Live Wire alone nah why do you think that he created Wired 868 eh, he must bacchanal up the coaches, the players, and the corrupted TTFA ever so often man and just as the doh doh head Ian Alleyne that have his followers eh, well he has his to eh and I am number 1 eh, so I will deal with the positive vibes eh. hahahaha
Birtday boi i talk to you and uncle Earl Mango Pierre already right now forget the blunt!! positive vibes, vibes it up a good coach is a great motivator and to be honest these guys have tremedous potential and bring a difference to d team which is depth
He might be a bit generous. But glad he is happy.
Well that’s good news I know he has capable players
He is just accentuating the positives and this is good for a balanced view.
Good point Teflon Shawn
But… even though your kids misbehaved last week… I’m very doubtful that you would remind them of their misgivings of the past this week to prove a point… We shouldn’t look at it as him so much changing his tune, but rather, him looking at areas for improvement and noting, whilst highlighting those that are on par with his expectations. When he stated that the guys were undeserving of wearing the national colors, I felt he wanted that to be more of a wake up call rather than a permanent label.
From men not deserving to put on national colors to this? Okay then
Well that’s good to hear. Or is he just saying what he’s supposed to ? Not dwelling on the negatives