Keepers of the flame: T&T’s Jan-Michael, Marvin and Maurice discuss goalkeeping

Is Trinidad and Tobago’s supply line of top goalkeepers drawing to a close?

“Soca Warriors” custodians Jan-Michael Williams and Marvin Phillip and goalkeeping coach Michael Maurice discuss life between the uprights and the secrets of the trade, as they prepare for the Russia 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign:

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35 comments

  1. Marvin really really good since school days the man was good an he has improved tremendously

  2. Our players like the ‘show’, not the stopper. Having that problem in Tobago too….

    And on another note….

    Can someone explain to me…..why are our national footballers (athletes) still representing Trinidad……and not Trinidad AND Tobago? Listen to the interview carefully. I believe Jan Michael-Williams who made this horrific error. smdh….

  3. It is a bit baffling to me honestly. I guess we have not kept up with the improvements being made in this position as Michael Maurice suggested.

  4. Anthony Sherwood, what do you think about development of goalies?
    I know Kelvin Jack has loads of knowledge on this topic.

  5. Lasana doesn’t the USA have a curriculum for academies ? I think part of the problem is talent identification in Trinidad. I think, normally the “fatman” or “slow poach” goes in goal rather than we introduce the skill and try to see who has the ability from an early age.

  6. Are there any guidelines, or a definite structure by the TTFA for setting up and running a youth academy ?

  7. I want to know who really have the most caps…

    • First of all, I want to know what Brow means when he says caps. Is he only talking about representing the senior team against other countries? If so, then I would find it very hard to believe that he or any of the other Strike Squad players has more caps than Angus. I mean, how many truly senior international matches were we playing in the 80s? We’re not talking about playing against clubs or U-23 teams or all-star XIs etc. Until I see some proof/documentation/data, I will stick with Angus Eve.

    • Yes. International caps means games against other FIFA recognized countries.
      There is also the issue of games against territories that are not recognized by FIFA like Guadeloupe and Martinique that confuses things.
      That means there are almost three categories. Caps (against anyone), international caps (against other countries) and FIFA-recognized caps (against other FIFA countries).
      The Strike Squad played against clubs and so on a fair bit I think.

    • Exactly. I think Brow is talking about representing T&T regardless of de opposition, and maybe even age group.

  8. nigel myers who is the best TNT gk u ever seen?

  9. Since Clayton Ince retired after a loss to the USA on September 9th 2009, our senior team has played 71 matches. The starting goalkeeper in 69 of those matches was either Jan or Marvin. Cleon John and Anthony Warner got the other two starts. Other than that, Cleon came on as a substitute one other time. This illustrates the lack of depth we have at that position.

  10. Louisville City’s Greg Ranjitsingh is worth a look.

  11. lasana what do you think of johaan welch?

  12. Jardel was overlooked for the U-20 team earlier this year. But he could do well in the future according to his career plans.

  13. I’ve seen a few school goalies with potential. Warrick from Benedict’s last year and the Naps goalie Awong, I think.
    And the QRC boy Jardel Poon-Lewis has potential.
    Watch “Jadel Poon-Lewis – Goalkeeping Highlights: ALL OR NOTHING” on YouTube – https://youtu.be/yPoRo03caNU

  14. Cleon John is capable but then he is older than Marvin and Jan.
    I think Foncette is decent but not close to their level yet. But then he would need higher quality games.
    You know the blacklist started this problem eh. Jan-Michael Williams was signed by Sheffield but couldn’t get a work permit. It all started with Jack Warner’s blacklist and our plunge down the rankings that meant our players couldn’t move to UK anymore.

  15. Yes, the decline has been evident for a while. I have not seen anyone or have heard of anyone recently that has displayed the skills that merit the descriptions “great potential”, “one for the future” etc. One telling sign is that since Shaka Hislop, Clayton Ince, and Kelvin Jack hung up their boots, we haven’t had a single goalkeeper playing with a club abroad. Yes, Jan Michael Williams was on the books of Ferencvárosi (Hungary), Marvin Phillip had a trial with FC Dallas (USA), Thorne Holder was on the books of Philadelphia Union (USA), Raheem Belgrave was on trial at Wrexham and so on, but nothing solid. Now a foreign contract is not the sole indication of quality, but it is a useful metric. When I saw Glenroy Samuel at U-17 level, I thought he had a bright future, but it didn’t materialise.

  16. Lasana Liburd Roneil K Walcott if u had to choose btwn the two…who would be ur starting goal keeper

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