Fenwick: ‘I apologise for taking the game and the gamble but we need to recognise where we are…’

“[…] I apologise for taking the game and the gamble but we need to recognise where we are and how the rest of the world are operating.

“[…] My locally-based national team have been battering local regional teams back home because we have been working and developing a game plan that suits our players against teams who are not playing football at all. We fell short on delivery of the game plan we set out to achieve…”

The following is a statement by Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach Terry Fenwick, on his social media page, in the wake of the Soca Warriors’ 7-0 friendly international loss to the United States on 31 January 2021:

Extremely disappointing result and score line. I apologise for taking the game and the gamble but we need to recognise where we are and how the rest of the world are operating.

The USA development program over the last seven years is now bearing its fruits [with] quality players at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus, Dortmund and Chelsea amongst others, playing a style of football that suits the players; and in typical USA fashion everything is based on stats. USA Under-15, Under-17, and Under-20 teams [are] now furnishing the USA Senior Team.  

My locally-based national team have been battering local regional teams back home because we have been working and developing a game plan that suits our players against teams who are not playing football at all.

Many of our US-based players we met on Friday prior to the game. They come from a better and more professional environment/background than we have in T&T. We fell short on delivery of the game plan we set out to achieve. The occasion, the magnitude of the game, the required mindset (bad mind), we fell short [in those areas].

Positives from the evening for me: my changes after 50 minutes, [and the] local lads who came on with Neveal Hackshaw. I saw a different mentality, young players showing commitment and taking responsibility.  

Within their 40 minute experience, [Trinidad and Tobago had] one goal against, a penalty missed and several positive passages of play.

One step at a time…

Editor’s Note: Trinidad and Tobago’s 7-0 loss to the United States was the joint highest ever defeat by a Men’s National Senior Team in 113 years.

The 7-0 marker was set previously on 8 October 2000 when, having already qualified for the Concacaf Hex, then coach Ian Porterfield took a second string team to the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

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Terry Fenwick

Terry Fenwick is the Trinidad and Tobago Men’s National Senior Team head coach and technical director of the Football Factory in POS.
He is a former England World Cup player who played professionally for Tottenham, Queen’s Park FC, Crystal Palace, Leicester City and Swindon Town. He is also one of the most successful coaches in T&T’s professional era having won regional and domestic titles with Central FC and San Juan Jabloteh.