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Soca Warriors captain Kenwyne Jones warned today that no player is bigger the game and urged 26-year-old international midfield ace Kevin Molino to “apologise properly” to coach Stephen Hart, the team and Trinidad and Tobago, so all parties can move forward together as they continue their Russia 2018 World Cup campaign.
Molino, an Orlando City player, was dropped from the squad on the eve of their 2017 Caribbean Cup qualifier against Martinique in Fort-de-France on 11 October, after Hart received information that the player broke team rules to attend a nightclub, three days earlier.
Trinidad and Tobago won 6-0.
(Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
It was Molino’s second alleged breach of discipline in roughly a month, after he attended a boat party before the Warriors’ World Cup qualifier against Guatemala along with Joevin Jones and Mekeil Williams.
The Warriors were upset 2-0 by Martinique in extra time on Tuesday. And, although Hart and the TTFA have not yet revealed whether further punishment would be meted out, Molino stated on Snapchat that he intends to take a year off from international duty.
The Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team captain, via his publicist, asked Molino to reconsider his stance and urged him to make peace with Hart instead.
“We all want Kevin to put everything behind him—apologise properly to coach, staff and players and, by extension, Trinidad and Tobago—and move forward together as a unit.
“He has been and will always be a great addition to the squad. But when it comes down to it, this is about representing yourself and Trinidad and Tobago, and nobody is ever bigger than the game.
“At the end of the day, we’re hoping that we can all learn from this and get back to the business of football and together make World Cup history again for T&T.”
(Courtesy KJ Media)
Jones, who turned 32 on 5 October, suggested that Molino’s mistake was a drawback of youth and expressed hope that he learns from the furore over his behaviour.
“With every team, there are young, talented players, and they sometimes make mistakes,” said Jones. “Coming out of this recent situation, as a player it’s important to take away a solid lesson, buckle down and make yourself a better player and a person.
“Some reactions have not been the best, and there has been disappointment across the board, including from fans.”
Jones took time too to declare his unstinting faith in Hart as head coach and insisted that his view was shared throughout the dressing room. And the former England Premier League expressed hope that Hart and his coaching staff would still be in charge for the Hex.
“The relationships built over the last three years [have] been paramount to reaching this advanced stage of competition in the World Cup,” said Jones, “and the connections have been dynamized with coach Hart’s experience and unwavering commitment to the players.
(Courtesy KJ Media)
“Moving into the Hex, the players [and myself] sincerely believe that coach Hart at the helm will give the team the best chance to qualify for Russia 2018…
“This is the best team we’ve had in a while and there’s no doubt that we cannot go forward without him.”
Jones’ vote of confidence in Hart’s abilities and backing for his handling of Molino contrasts sharply with the silence from Trinidad and Tobago Football Association (TTFA) president David John-Williams.
Six days after one of Trinidad and Tobago’s top international players was dropped—Molino’s image is used on the TTFA’s Soca Warriors billboards—the local football body is yet to issue a statement on the incident or offer public support for Hart. Even Molino’s club, Orlando City, have spoken to the media twice on the incident.
And Jones’ claim that the Warriors would be better off with Hart bears shades of the coach’s own uncertainty as to whether he would be allowed to see out his contract, which has another two years to run.
Hart is the only men’s national coach hired by former TTFA president Raymond Tim Kee who has been able to keep his job so far.
(Courtesy Wired868)
Technical director Kendall Walkes, National Under-20 coach Derek King and National Under-17 coach Ken Elie were all replaced along with Women’s National Senior Team coach Randy Waldrum.
There are just four weeks before the Warriors assemble again to play their first match of the Hex against Costa Rica and Jones insisted that the players want Hart there to guide them.
The Trinidad and Tobago captain, who was substituted early in the Martinique affair after injuring two tendons in the posterior aspect of his lower leg, assured fans that he would be back in time to face Costa Rica. He also thanked Central FC for “facilitating all [his] needs during this period of recovery.”
Jones is on loan from Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Atlanta United, to Central at present.
Whether Molino will join Jones and the Warriors for their next international outing is another matter entirely. But the former World Cup 2006 player urged his younger teammate to begin the healing process as soon as possible.
(Courtesy Allan V Crane/Wired868)
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Here is Diego Costa telling Chelsea boss Antonio Conte that if you keep yapping whole game and criticising me then flipping sub me… Any thoughts here Kendall?
Conte is a disciplinarian, but a good coach learns how to deal with temperamental players and get the best from them. No way as bad as breaking camp twice in succession. Hart had to take a stance with Molino, or risk losing the entire dressing room.
Its disgusting behaviour from Costa….temperamental or not…that’s the Gaffer….not sure what recourse mngrs have these days but was me…I have him warm that bench until he beg me to sell him. Ah was pulling Traore from Ajax and Abraham from Bristol forthwith….the problem is it don’t have any real competition for his spot except for Hazard or Batshuayi.
Adam McKell He is the single reason Chelsea did so poorly last season and one of the main reasons the coach got fired. He is an undisciplined cancer.
Lasana, a mentor once told me if you can’t work with the boss, then you can’t work. I have found this to be true in my experience.
Kendall there could be something in that. Lol
What the hell wrong with Kenwyne Jones….that non performer. Yes, an apology is needed from Molino, but that is between the coach, Molino and the TTFA. Keywyne need to concentrate on bringing his A game on he field whenever he plays for Trinidad & Tobago. Because he has NOT delivered at all, and certainly not when it matters….with all his “so called” experience. Oh please; give me a break I am fed up of people making excuses for his constant and dismal failure as a T&T “experienced” player. He is a non- performer…period. Let Molino find himself and decide what he wants to do, play for Trinidad and Tobago or not. He is a talented and very gifted player, but his discipline is called into question when here in Trinidad. But that should NOT be Mr Jones’ business. He need to get his act together or give up playing for the National senior team and give someone else an opportunity to make a name for himself, to shine and be discovered. There are numerous good talented, hungry for opportunity footballers out there….If Kenwyne and Momino is not cutting it…Get rid of them. And Mr Hart, check yourself. You have not brought anything of great significance to the team, in my respectful view, You had a bunch of gifted talented really dedicated players in the past who wanted to excel, be discovered and make a name for themselves…they performed great against Mexico, Panama and that was your best ‘showing. But why do we falter at the end in the big games and finals? Clearly your strategy to close out a game and have the players concentrate and apply themselves for 90 minutes of grit, determination, fight, passion has not been working and therefore I am calling into question your technical capabilities, motivational approach, prowess and organizational skills and expertise.
No one is bigger than the game as he knows so if dicipline is to be enforced let it be and jus to clear up some facts Jovin Jones is the most consistent player thus far and better player to add
I said Jones is Right messi and ronaldo does get bench I say is all about discipline yes look at what his mls manager said he need to step an i didn’t hear not one word of encouragement from y’all
For the first time you have proved to ME you deserve to lead this team come on Kevin show Trinidad and Tobogo youngsters how good you are “example example example”
Kudos to Kenwyne!
Best player or not he should be left out all future matches,no discipline whatsoever bad example for his country, team mates and younger players drop him now
Is there a system in place to teach the importance of wearing the Red, White and Black? Is there a system in place to inspire and coach? Is action and consequence part of the discourse? What about expectation and reward? We shouldn’t be trying to work out, “how to punish him,” that should have been part of the discourse prior to suiting up.
What if he’s a frustrated player lashing out by doing what several “stars” have done before him without reprimand. After all, isn’t he our “star” now?
Discipline him yes, but fix the factory too.
My suggestion…… Mandatory life skills and leadership training. Let’s make him both a better player and a better man.
Once the punishment fits the crime of course.
It is a point worth noting. And Kendall, although I’m not sure if he ever admitted his “crime”, I understand part of Molino’s “defence” at Orlando City is that he is shabbily treated by the TTFA.
Not saying it excuses his behaviour. It doesn’t. But I can’t argue if Molino says he is not the only unprofessional one in this sad story.
Everybody has an excuse for their behaviour. I still say people have to face the consequences for their actions.
Unfortunately this is the story in almost every walk of life today…indiscipline, lack of tolerance and almost no production, however we want to reap the rewards for same with all sorts of excuses and finger pointing. Note…while two fingers are pointing away, three are pointing towards the accuser. How you are treated = their Karma. How you react = your Karma. The majority respects no one…consideration for others is unheard of…rules and regulations are flouted, yet they expect to be treated favorably.
Well said Kenwin.
Tbh, we need Molino. Best player on the team and everyone knows it. Let’s just move past all this quickly and focus on getting to the World Cup ?
Well Done Skipper!
What de hell going on in football now????? If any player feels he could just do what he wants and forget Hart they need to be benched ….. go outside and see what team going to put up with yuh shite nah… if yuh don’t have discipline yuh just just going to be a hot flash in de pan. We need to have players who hungry to represent and will put out their best….. not Star boys who cyar decide if they will play today and follow the rules…. he needs to be made an example of so that other players understand that football is serious business at this level. MArch on Molina ……. take yuh vacation from now!!!!!
NO DISCIPLINE.Send him for some TRAINING.
KJ also needs to apologize for his lackluster form
Smfh this is why our football still where it is get a little success and turn arsehole i say give him a permanent holiday
He’s dictating to the coach that he’ll take a year off? .. well let the coach make him take forever off .. end of story n move on
They can’t do that if they want to go to world cup. He’s their most talented striker ?????
The coach knows that.
Jones knows that.
The country knows that.
Sad fact but true
He may be the best, most talented or whatever but he’s not the only one who deserves a place on the team .. you just can’t give preferential treatment when you do wrong
Think if they cut messi Argentina reaching a world cup finals
Molino nowhere near Messi standards
But kenwye you is d biggest shit snake… U lucky u still playing
Well said Kenwyne …… I am utterly disgusted by Kevin Molino…. To see my current favourite soca warrior behave in such a manner is heart wrenching to say the least…. Best he never earns a cap again if he refuses to apologize
This is something called a team of 11 men on the field.
Wrong and strong…smh. Honestly, he shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near the team. His act is s brazen disregard for team rules, and was done in quick succession. He obviously thinks he’s coming home on holiday, and not to play for the national team. He’s never do that if on duty for Orlando; colonial attitude in display here.
I wonder if Molino would engage in that kind of behavior with his club?
No he will not do that. Monkey know what tree to climb. You see his coach immediately got involved because he wanted to know what happened
Playing mls and feel he too big
Poor example for a pro
Keith u right on spot I second that
#NextManUp ⚽
For too long we have allowed a lack of behavior in our sports and everyday life. It is time to bring some order back into both.
At 26, he isn’t a youth by any accepted definition.
Any suggestions for punishment here? And I agree.
He would never play again if I had to decide his fate. His petulant decision to take time off for the qualifiers is completely unacceptable. No player is bigger than his team, especially the national team. He has no pride and commitment in wearing the national colours and I don’t want him representing us.
For me, breaking curfew is not the worst sin you can make, even twice in a month. And his stupid petulant statement stings our pride. But it can be easy to make such mistakes in this social media age where an impulsive message can cause such a stir.
I think he deserves a ban. But I won’t say for life.
Maybe two games would do. Or maybe a five month ban.
Lock him up
Lol
Lasana….do you think he will apologize…..
He apologized the first time. So maybe. The apology isn’t really the hard part. The hard part is to show change.
Wait and see
But we cannot win without him, like you didn’t see that last game or what eh. Them really good yes.
We won and performed well for a whole year without him. He is a welcome addition but very replaceable.
We can’t win without him? What make you figure that? He did nothing against Guatemala… nothing against the US…
.LOL. An apology is not the real issue. We already have one on the books. A serious commitment to behavioural change IS. Without that he is just being chased because people feel we can’t win without him..
and I still eh see nutten wrong with meh players going and bussing their guns 4 days before the game eh and this is the reason why he does score plenty goals steeuusspppss. Them really good yes.
Uncle Earl Mango Pierre really good yes Kirwin. Dem boys will be too tired to perform on d pitch
Maybe that is the problem with Mr. Bound not to score eh, so he really needs to start eh hahahaha
Savitri
=D =D =D
He better be back by next month for the Costa Rica game steeuuppss. Them really good yes
Well done skip !!!
I said Molino back by next year…but might be next month !!!
Leadership response
Well done skipper
Well Brian Harry it seems that you isn’t a Trini or you forget this madness have been taking place with a few other players and even Coaches doing ah set ah madness a very long time ago. I have alot of football stories to share but I will have to write to much and I not able right now, look at what the Captain is suggesting, that he have to be a man and apologize after commiting the same madness twice, well I will be waiting very patiently to see what will be Coach Hart response. Them really good yes.
Earl, I’m with you and completely agree. I’m just wondering, where and when do we start? We always had talented payers but could never break through. All of our teams have gone so far – just enough to have us feel good and cheer but then not showing up on the big stage. My hypothesis is that beginning with the coaches, we’ve never exerted a commitment to standards of behavior and character. I remember during one of my own coaching courses the instructor said “at the highest levels, talent accounts for 20% of your success. The rest lies with the infrastructure around the team and your ability to psychologically prepare them for performing consistently.”
When will we learn? Where do we start?
Well I guess it starts now and when our Local Coaches really starts to conduct themselves like real professional Coaches like my foreign base professional Coaches and knowing that our very own foreign base Trini Coach Hart is cut from the same cloth hence the reason why I said that I will be waiting very patiently to see his response.
I can tell you that I am aware of a Ferguson who would have dealt with that situation long time, and it is not Alex.
Keith, I agree that a serious commitment to behavioral change is important but the coach has to demand this. I said from the first instance that not taking a strong stance to help these individuals understand that they are not bigger than the game or team is critical. Had that happened Molino would not have done what he did on the second occasion. What I find disheartening is that he’s saying that he’s taking a year off. Is he really the one to decide that. So now it seems that he’s in charge, so he can decide his time off. Really? So Molino is the boss. We are not going anywhere without standards and the coach has to instill leadership – a critical piece of which are these standards. This is crazy!
…We begging we Messi..
Kenwyne Jones needs to pull his shit together and not let this downward slide spread throughout the team
Let Molino party his future off as he seems destined to do
When I was in the Coaching business many moons ago eh, and I gave out my Rules and Regulations to meh players eh, would you believe that the fines that they had incur at the end of the season was over $1000 dollars eh, well I use to deduct the fines from the winnings eh because I always knew that they will win and I said to mehself like these Trinidadians really have a mental problem eh, imagine I told them that I will be taking their monies if they break my rules eh and like they eh business and I know that some of you Coaches and Players know what I am talking about eh, Alyuh laughing, Laugh, well if I was Coach Hart eh I wudda continue hurting his pockets eh and really come up with a solution to deal with him and some time ago I met my other prolific goalscorer Irasto Knights and he said to me Mango I use to buss meh gun two days before the game eh, and on the game day I always busing up the nets eh sometimes scoring two or more goals and the reason why I had to buss meh gun eh, was because of the to much energy that I got from the football training man and you know that meh Prof Jamaal Shabazz never use to stick when it comes to the training and winning the games eh…hahahaha
He apologized the last time and he went and did it again,next man up!!