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“I can’t see why Tom [Saintfiet] is saying I am not interested and I don’t want to play for my country. I don’t know why he is trying to turn things on me.”
The following Letter to the Editor was submitted to Wired868 by Trinidad and Tobago National Senior Team midfielder Joevin Jones regarding his coach Tom Saintfiet’s claim that the Seattle Sounders player was not interested in representing the Soca Warriors in this week’s Gold Cup playoffs:
(Courtesy Sean Morrison/Wired868)
I just want to clear my name. I just want to say I always want to play for my country. It’s an honour to play for this country.
First to begin, me and Tom [Saintfiet] talked face to face weeks ago agreeing on me coming to the camp on the 1st [of January]. Yes, I did agree to [that]. But the problem was getting clearance from my team [Seattle Sounders].
After the Trinidad and Tobago team got back from the two friendlies [in Nicaragua] on the 31st [of December], I got a message from my lil brother [and national team player] Alvin that I have to come in camp on the 1st [of January] at 12pm, which was the next day.
I had no info as yet from my club stating if I can go [to camp] or not… [And] why do I have to get a message from my lil brother to come in camp? What about the manager [Azaad Khan]?
My club gave me late clearance on Sunday morning to go. My lil brother was in camp already, so I sent a message with my lil brother stating that I got the clearance and I would be in camp or training the following evening, which he did deliver.
(Courtesy AFP 2017/Gene Sweeney Jr)
The only reason why I delivered the message back through my lil brother was because they sent one with him. I think they were unprofessional [in doing] that.
The only reason why I played with W Connection [in a friendly against Haiti last week] was because they asked me to train and stay shape for the upcoming game on the 4th against Suriname. So I decided to play the game with W Connection because I can’t watch football because I love the game.
The person who called me to train with Connection called Tom and asked if I could play in the game. The answer I get was: ‘Yes and be careful’.
I risked my contract with Seattle by playing—just to maintain some fitness to feature in the upcoming games. I can’t see why Tom is saying I am not interested and I don’t want to play for my country. I don’t know why he is trying to turn things on me.
I can’t just come in camp just like that. I am under contract with Seattle. They have to give me clearance.
As I said, I got late clearance on Sunday morning. I was on my way to camp on Sunday evening when my lil brother Alvin said to me they don’t want me again. I said no problem.
(Courtesy: Allan V Crane/CA-images/Wired868)
I think the communication was wrong by sending messages through my lil brother. I don’t see why Tom is trying to dirty my name by saying [if] I could play for Connection [then] why I can’t play with the national team, when the TTFA told me to go and stay in shape and keep fitness. That I didn’t like, [especially] when I risked my contract with Seattle by playing to say fit and in-shape to play for my country.
I just want to tell the people of Trinidad and Tobago, this has nothing to do with me not wanting to play for my loving country. I always love playing.
I just want to clear my name. If I wasn’t interested, why did I talk to Tom and agree face to face to play and to come in camp on the 1st?
If I wasn’t interested, I would have told Tom I had a long season and I needed rest. Simple as that. It hurt me to read stuff that isn’t true.
Editor’s Note: Trinidad and Tobago coach Tom Saintfiet also claimed that Kevin Molino and Cordell Cato declined invitations to represent their country at this week’s Gold Cup playoffs. He later amended this to say that Molino offered to play but he refused to accept him since the midfielder initially said no.
Defender Daneil Cyrus denied suggestions that he turned up to the team camp smelling of alcohol although Saintfiet insisted that he never accused the player of this.
Trinidad and Tobago play Suriname from 7pm today at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
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When you lose the dressing room…..
This Coach hasn’t lost the dressing room nuh he’s basically FIRED the Dressing room… K Jones J Jones Molino the 3 Williams (the IRONY!!!) Cyrus, N Garcia Cato and a few others whose names escapes me now is a virtual starting 11
Lol
And that starting 11, lost 8 draw 2 and win 3 un 2016….so the country is not worse off
Trini Don Many games are lost BEFORE a ball is kicked ON the field of play by OFF the field ANTICS such as what we are seeing now…The team LOSES and the COACH gets fired while the PLAYERS have to take blame too, what about the ADMINISTRATION??? Furthermore the current Coach is supposed to have a degree in Psychology so maybe its mind-games he’s playing???
The starting eleven also put us in the Hex Trini. We would be watching other teams play on tv like Jamaica if not for Hart and the XI.
I am starting to feel about TT Football, the way I feel about Windies cricket…. Only so much heartbreak and abuse I can take. And just like Windies Cricket, poor management is the bane of our football. So me and Lipton will be forging ever closer ties…..
It could be starting 11 or not, if you on shit deal with you….and the coach is dealing with it ok
#Qatar2022 maybe….
You guys are really going to believe JJ? The same player that broke camp and went partying before a crucial World Cup Qualifier against Guatemala. Come on he got caught and doesn’t like the negative publicity. Plain and simply. We finally have a coach that is not afraid to call out the players. Lets go TNT!!
Joevin, thank you very much for your account of this sorry episode. We needed to hear your side of the story. Your talent and knowledge of the game are unquestionable – you are a brilliant player.
However, you are alleging that, ‘Communication’ and its means were very faulty between the team’s management and you. Joevin, I certainly defend your right to clear your name. Please give some clarity to the following:
*They say ‘Better late than never’ but why did it seemingly take two days to reply to this dirtying of your name at an international level?
*No one doubts that you are a professional footballer but why is your manager/agent not seemingly factoring more in the handling of communication concerning you and your ‘bread and butter’ ?
*Why as a professional, you reciprocated the informal line of communication via your brother and opted not to go direct to the management? (You had already done this in your initial face to face talk with Saintfiet) Why go through the third party, especially at those crucial moments so that there is the probability for misunderstanding?
*Who was the person who liaised between you and Saintfiet concerning the friendly and relayed the info about ‘Go ahead but be careful? Please let that person put it in writing – the reality is, you need to safeguard yourself.
*Who is/are the person(s) in the TTFA that gave you this ‘Leeway’? – DJW? I would hate to think so! BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST!
I think Joevin, you have the heart and the talent to represent THE RED, WHITE AND BLACK and I have no doubt with some frank discussions and mature settlements you’ll be back on the team. Watch your back, be professional all the way.
Did he get clearance from Seattle to play for Connection? Did he seek clearance to play for Connection?
Alot of these tnt players are so unprofessionalbit aint funny, so he risk his contract olaying a friendly with Wconnection but could not risk it for your national team….why he did not call the manager or coach and explain himself….
What time was the WC game? When (what time) did he know he had clearance from his employer?
“The person who called me to train with Connection called Tom and asked if I could play in the game” he could have said who it is but he choose not to, lets pick sense out of non sense who would call joevin to play that game with connection and at the same time call Tom. W Connection/TTFA president now why would he do that????????????? that the question to ask
As my departed father would have said “this is one hell of a cock and bull story”.
Well when I say these fellaz I talkin about Khan (Manager) and the players also eh… not just the individuals that the whole of T&T feels is culpable right now!
Shawn Charles cellphone issues are convenient all the way around for sure.. Maybe TTFA hasn’t paid their fees/ bills??
Digicel!! Bmobile… where are you?? These fellaz having problems wid dey cell phones!!
Never a dull day with TNT football oui.. Sigh
DJW will soon be found out. You can’t hide behind the curtain that long.
The players behavior are habitual.
He is following his Jamaican and Haitian counterparts. He is setting a stage to introduce a European base squad..
..Barnum and Bailey. We need a NEW FOOTBALL CULTURE. Root and branch revolution necessary..
Wait a miniute! I’m confused…based on JJ’s story Lasana Liburd am I to guess that Seattle Sounders authorisized him to play for Connection vs Haiti??? And if so why wasn’t clearance to rep the National team requested one time by the TTFA??? I will say tho that for Joevin to say it’s unprofessional for messages to be relayed to him by his lil brother (which it most certainly IS) but then for him to do the same thing and reply through him is hypocritical…I find the whole situation farcical by ALL parties, and just the cloud of confusion and controvesy the team could have done without before these two crunch games…ANd why isnt the MANAGER saying ANYTHING…This Khan guy has to be the most SILENT Team manager EVER…Has he been MUZZLED by David John-williams???
JJ said himself he took a risk playing with Connection….this is beyond farcical…I don’t know why Lasana Liburd does stress ppl out with these articles.
Hahaha damn if you do Lasana Liburd, damn if you don’t.
Carlon, the thing is, why was he even approached to train/play with them in the first place?
Players that need to be dropped based on their performance (or the coach wanting to look at other players) are being dropped, albeit for other reasons.
Tom in charge.
Nigel…that’s more madness….I can’t see how that will benefit either connection or JJ…maybe it was a ‘ranking thing’ ?
Then again the coach should have been at that game…No need to risk JJ.
He didn’t say he got Seattle clearance to play against Haiti actually Brian. And requests for clearance in both instances should have been from the TTFA and/or Connection.
It sounds as though Joevin was requesting clearance himself which is very strange.
What? Players are now requesting their own clearances to represent our NATIONAL Team??? THAT is what we reach to Lasana Liburd??? AGAIN my question WHY isn’t the MANAGER speaking out because its HIS job to make the requests no?
He special, Brian
SPECIAL is NOT the word that comes to my mind nuh Savitri Maharaj but I hear Yuh.
Poor communication is wreaking havoc on this national team. Players are not communicating timely or clearly with the manager. This poor and untimely communication is happening because of one or more of the following reasons: the players don’t have the manager’s contact information; they don’t understand the chain of command; or they’re intentionally trying ah ting. The manager also appears to be at fault from a communications perspective. He’s sending info to players second hand rather than directly contacting them. It also appears he’s not taking the initiative to seek release of players from their clubs in a professional and timely manner. It’ll do the coach and backroom staff good to have a sit down with all players to discuss the communications issues that is currently plaguing the team.
These days it is simple. Central have a players watsapp group. Any changes in schedule etc is sent out via the group. So once you select your squad, just create a group. Even is a guy is overseas he will get the message! And players always talk to other players so I can’t see why TTFA don’t adopt this system as a back up to their usual communications.
It’s not as easy as many has suggested. There is protocol to follow if players are contracted by foreign teams.
They have to get clearance to play.
However this administration seems to be submitted par in relation to what is required to run a football team.
Didn’t a Senior Manager get to the airport and realized that his passport had expired.
I like how the coach is on track to eliminate the lack of dicipline by the players.
But a lot of this should be handled my the temperature Manager. It seems that the coach does not have confidence in the Manager.
I can see why too
You can call from whatsapp as well which the “manager” did not
That letter muddies the waters even more. Questions:
1. Shouldn’t the TTFA be the one who is in direct contact with Seattle Sounders concerning Joevin’s ability for national duty? Shouldn’t that request have been made a long time ago?
2. Why would the TTFA (or someone from the TTFA) ask Joevin to train with W Connection without communicating with Seattle Sounders? Who specifically asked him to train with W?
3. Did Joevin have clearance from Seattle for the W Connection training stint and/or club friendly?
4. If trying to maintain fitness, why not just train with the national team?
5. Did Joevin have clearance from Seattle to play in the charity match, especially on a less than ideal pitch?
6. What is the role of team manager Azaad Khan? Shouldn’t he be front and center in these matters?
Well the national team was in Nicaragua at the time, so he couldn’t train with them for that week at least.
Otherwise good questions.
Ask the damn questions ayah!
This fellow may have some football skills but he is bereft of intelligence. That letter, horribly written both in style and grammar is a fair indication of a lack sense, football and otherwise.
Ouch!!!
Anyone realize that players and coach alike insist they never said or did this or that?! So where is all this commotion stemming from?! Why would a coach leave home and family to fail by contention?! Why would a player leave secure club to play for country but jepoardize his placement?! Big men need to sit and sort matters out and focus on form, fitness and team work.
Jones said someone call to ask for to play with wc and someone say it was ok do you feel it was the coach that they talk to?
I try never to presume but I can say there are too many distractions. An athlete’s priority is exposure to perform and secure his future. If there’s discord at national level but an athlete has foreign or local options for security then he will gravitate there.
Too much trivial matters within the team, dem need to sort that shit out quick cause it becoming irrelevant. What more important is winning matches than squabbles between coach and players. It’s childish if you ask me. We are all adults. Act like it.
He got clearance Sunday morning from his club but still want to reach next evening why. Was is little brother or who ever sent the message just reminding him and why is the team manager not seeing about these things email and messages should have been sent to these players before the plane even landed.
Again, what evidence you have any message was sent via his little brother?
That is what he said can u read
He said little brother messaged him about camp on Sunday in his letter
I see Sainfiert dropping players due to ‘indiscipline’..I hope he gains 4 points in March. Not saying i don’t like what he’s doing as a matter of fact it is great. The Gold Cup is good but shouldn’t be most important on out aims.
Will somebody not tell the truth that is for sure waiting watching.
Didn’t you read his letter?
I know these players wouldn’t pass up an opportunity to play for National team this coach and the manager has a vendetta. For his decisions he better hope this current squad delivers we are taking no excuses.
This is a Trinidad problem i always say we do not have mamgers in this country we have workers but not leaders people need to know there roles in any company or team and accept there responsibility in there role .This will prevent these issues from bearing any fruit . In short communication is key.
Sooooo……JJ had to ask and wait for clearance to join the national team in camp, but took a chance to play for W Connection? Better JJ kept his mouth shut. I refuse to believe the players are that dotish.
Same thing I saying. That have to be the most dotish excuse I ever hear
He does have to get clearance from the club to join the camp ..fact. However playing in that friendly with Haiti could get him disciplined particularly if he had gotten injured. Furthermore sharing that knowlege in public for his club to see is unwise ….doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a point.
He contradicted himself, that’s all I was saying Gozzi
He definitely did! But there are issues on both sides …… like DJW role in him playing in that friendly with W Connection.
Not disagreeing but he made it as clear as mud so he look dotish
Agreed
BTW..is this a proper medium of communication ,to throw it out in the public domain rather than seek an audience with management ?
Well, the coach certainly has no problem in saying all sorts of stuff about his players in public. Why should the players be held to a different standard?
This applies to both sides and TTFA.Really makes you question the modus operandi and if there are any set procedures or operating by vaps !!!!!!
Who in TTFF gave clearance…to play for WC.?…….Was it DJW ?…but no clearance for National team….something fishy here!!!!!
I really enjoy watching these these players over the years, but Lasana, they already have a bad record from previous infractions, thats going to work against them. I am already looking forward to the next coach, cause more than likely we will not progress very far with this state of affairs (possibly latas) who smoked as a player, their “lifestyle” may easier be digested by him. What this really exposes is a cultural issue with our footballers, cricketers, our youth.
Lass ….is Tom fluent in English? Actually a legit question because it seems his initial rumblings seem to be blurred and then when pressed clarity comes to the fore. Could there be difficulty communicating his ideas? I don’t want to be judgemental but his personal mishaps and tantrums with these players seem to be undermining what needs to be the real focus here …….. still not sold on this dude …….
No he isn’t and it was obvious in his convoluted statement regarding Cyrus
English isn’t his first language and he is pretty good but far from perfect.
Joevin, thank you very much for your account of this sorry episode. We needed to hear your side of the story. Your talent and knowledge of the game are unquestionable – you are a brilliant player.
However, you are alleging that, ‘Communication’ and its means were very faulty between the team’s management and you. Joevin, I certainly defend your right to clear your name. Please give some clarity to the following:
*They say ‘Better late than never’ but why did it seemingly take two days to reply to this dirtying of your name at an international level?
*No one doubts that you are a professional footballer but why is your manager/agent not seemingly factoring more in the handling of communication concerning you and your ‘bread and butter’ ?
*Why as a professional, you reciprocated the informal line of communication via your brother and opted not to go direct to the management? (You had already done this in your initial face to face talk with Saintfiet) Why go through the third party, especially at those crucial moments so that there is the probability for misunderstanding?
*Who was the person who liaised between you and Saintfiet concerning the friendly and relayed the info about ‘Go ahead but be careful? Please let that person put it in writing – the reality is, you need to safeguard yourself.
*Who iis/are the person(s) in the TTFA that gave you this ‘Leeway’? – DJW? I would hate to think so! BIG CONFLICT OF INTEREST!
I think Joevin, you have the heart and the talent to represent THE RED, WHITE AND BLACK and I have no doubt with some frank discussions and mature settlements you’ll be back on the team. Watch your back, be professional all the way.
So he couldn’t reach in the people hotel pending clearance from Seattle Sounders ? Or his communication device only works in a certain part of the country and he couldn’t move ?
Steupse…boy look eh
Doh miss this one Savitri … doh miss this…
I want to Kirwin..just smh here
Set up and sabotage by the dictator
I’m waiting to see who will be first to say: Allyuh we can’t expect the coach to win eh… Because he didn’t have his best players.
After he dropped them! Lol.
Mr team manager you seem to be not doing your job. You should be in contact with the players not a next player may it be family or not. Do your job better please!
Kirwin, do you find it strange that Joevin would play for Connection against Haiti and then turned down the National Team to play against Suriname and Haiti?
No
Lol. Ok.
It might be just like Saintfiet said eh. But I don’t see why I should give him the benefit of the doubt over Joevin. And I do find it strange that he would not be interested to play in these games.
I have an open mind on this.
I know when Savitri wakes up she will clobber me though! Lol.
Who was responsible for getting time off from Seattle Sounders?
Should have been the TTFA. If it wasn’t then that was also unprofessional.
You think Dwight Yorke or Shaka Hislop used to personally ask the club to play in games?
Okay…
I’m not sure what the protocol and norms are…so I can’t say
Although he kinda made it sound like he didn’t have permission to play for Connection…
Many times, players wouldn’t even know when a formal request goes in for them. The manager just checks about 25 or 30 players to see if they are available. Then the requests go in to the clubs for 18 or 20 or 22 of them.
Well that is confusing as well…how could The Saint approve JJ training with W. Conn when he’s not under his watch..whoever called would’ve had to ask Seattle Sounders, since JJ needed approval to enter camp with national team…not so?
Unless JJ had approval from Seattle, but The Saint was giving him time off and then the request to train with W. Conn was made
It is definitely confusing that a request went to Saintfiet when it didn’t seem as if one went to Seattle. But Connection would have to explain that.
I would think they asked Saintfiet as a matter of courtesy though.
Ok Lasana. But are there any norms developed over he years with respect to that request ?
It is a new manager. But based on which request exactly?
I don’t believe Saint daft enough to authorise a player who’s not under his scope to train elsewhere when he couldn’t get him for himself…unless Seattle had in fact cleared him in some manner
The request to train away from club. I asking if it became acceptable for a player to request the time off via a form or something then arrange with his/her FA
Saintfiet can’t clear him to play for Connection. He might have simply been answering whether it was a good idea or not.
Saintfiet surely wouldn’t think that Connection could be crazy enough to ask him for clearance for a Seattle player.
Precisely…
Seattle should have had to clear even him playing in the charity matches.
Precisely…so this staement could get him in some trouble…lol
Lol. Yes. Maybe.
Did DY ever get clearance to play for Red Devils?
Lasana, good morning. Clobber you for what? I just smh here yes
Lasana Liburd I asked this question before….. Who is resppnsible for clearance, even if player asks, it stil is TTFA. While Joevin letter is not ideal, I do not believe this young man does not want to play for his country. I believe Mamagement really lapsed overall, proper communication lines with players seem to be non-existent. I hope they can work this out
So far, we know Kenwyne is crap, Mekeil is crap, we don’t need Jan-Michael, Joevin, Molino and Cato are unpatriotic, Cyrus and Jomal are indisciplined… And Saintfiet is a boss. Right? Nice. 😉
?
In a nutshell! ???
the ball is in the players court. Yes he is a boss.
While I’m not aware and can’t speak for anything Joevin did since being back in TT
Now that he has spoken publicly all I’ll say is that me and him spoke face to face at MLS Cup final about these games & he indeed never suggested and unwillingness to play for national team
Can’t be easy to be a Trini yes. Anybody can hop off a plane and insult you and your own countrymen will cheer without question. They don’t even want to hear your side :-/
Lasana ppl know that Trinidad has a discipline problem and it’s been a long while since someone has come and been straight forward with us and let us know about the attitude of the players…maybe if he was to come with something outrageous ok but at this time I’m not seeing anything extremely outrageous….the team needed shaking up….I don’t agree saintfiet is d person to do the shaking but if he is setting the standard the next two games should provide an answet
But Jomo, why isnt Saintfiet the person to do the shaking ? Isn’t he the national coach?
He is but what I meant what he wasn’t my choice for the job…..but if does it well he has my support
I am tired of all these selfish non patriotic ballers, it’s time to mold some fresh new patriotic players, who are hungry to defend their country, this is war not fooze ?.
Joevin Jones is not perfect. But he is our top scorer in the World Cup qualifying campaign. And he has 55 national caps at just 25 years of age.
His three goals in World Cup qualifiers, in his first campaign, puts him level with Leonson Lewis, Cornell Glen and Gally Cummings.
So even when you criticise him, be fair.
Sure but all I ask is that he be mature and discipline, I don’t think this is about Talent, talent is never enough, any professional would know that.
So there is a communication problem and you think the only person at fault is the 25 year old who has put his body on the line over 50 times for his country?
And the adults in management get over without a mention?
Of course talent is not enough. Joevin ought to know that better than Saintfiet.
There is a communication problem, there is a management problem, but the biggest problem is discipline from both sides, culturally we lack that and I am sure it transcends in the TTFA.
Agreed Lasana Liburd it cannot only and always be the boys at fault..something is very wrong.. from management go straight down. The lack of effective communication is clear. Do the ppl involved even have the players best interests at heart? Too many questions unanswered.
Lol come on ppl Mr Jones let’s forget the messages from your lil brother. U say u had a face to face talk so where in that u didn’t no to say Well I will have to wait for clearance and I let u all no base on ur face to face talk. Yes they were wrong to not call you in person but come let’s do this two wrongs don’t make a right.
Meanwhile Hart sipping his tea… ?☕
And laughing ???
Hart was a waste of time
By the end of March I want to hear you talking so Mr Trini Don
I not believing The Saint is the real culprit at all here and a blatant liar…I’m sure there will be another camp soon where Cyrus,Jomal, Molino, and JJ to prove all this wrong…love my players and team nevertheless.
But they have to start acting like big men and not primary schoolers who need assistance
Nobody is touching on how Saintfiet claimed that he never said Cyrus came in smelling of alcohol. Or that he said Molino didn’t want to play and later clarified to suggest that he asked to play too late for his liking and whether those two are the same thing.
Why not have a look at those things as well and not just the players?
But I’m sipping tea as well yes Sean Taylor…
I ain’t buying it…sorry…is not a walk through…if others doing it, they can as well
I walking wit Lipton tmrw…alyuh want ? Lol
Of course sir. Green tea keeps the pressure down Kirwin Weston ?
Lol, soursop
That’s not what I said Kirwin Weston. What I said is everyone is talking about the players but nobody cares to look at the coach at all.
I’m not saying the coach is wrong or right. What I’m saying is I would like to hear your opinion on him too.
His standards as a coach is just different to what others have adopted in my opinion.
He’s a bit naive right now and obviously doesn’t understand our culture…because all the “big guns” in his bad book already. I personally would’ve preferred if he found a way to have them in squad, but if this is his style, I say let him be.
I will support his decisions 100% right now
No Kirwin. I pointed specifically to two cases. What he said about Cyrus and then what he claimed he didn’t say. And what he said about Molino not wanting to play on Monday and then what he said on Tuesday…
Why is that not worth comment too?
The Cyrus issue is a bleh to me…he say they came hour half late and had a decent smell of alco around them…that is enough for me.
I’m not sure of the Tuesday comment about Molino
He said Molino didn’t want to play on Monday. On Tuesday, he said Molino didn’t want to play at first and then he told Saintfiet he was available. The coach turned him down.
I not understanding that Molino story na…
Well, I’m just giving you how I got it. I find a lot of things are strange around this team to be honest.
Word
This nonsense is really getting annoying lol, I just hope we can actually win football matches
We probably won’t 🙂
If this is true…… what an unprofessional set of developments. Tom as leader has to get his staff to operate more professionally and collaboratively. Send a message by his brother ….. right?
Do you have proof any message was ‘sent’ via his brother?
Richard Zen O’Brien go back and read my statement again …….
Ok..I did…and my question remains.
Richard Zen O’Brien in that case I can’t help
Brian, some need a special kind of help.
Junior Noel – that I’m observing …… how you doing bro ? Happy new year and best wishes to you and family
Once you guys not ‘helping’ anyone, it’s ok. 🙂
He couldn’t join camp just like that but could go train and play a practice game with another club ?
Brrr…explain this to me…I getting ah headache
He spoke to Saintfiet and agreed to join camp on Jan. 1st…then in the next paragraph he want the Manager to call him to tell him about the camp date he agreed to join ?
Look eh…
He suggested that his turning up on January 1st was contingent on him getting clearance from Seattle Kirwin Weston. And he said it did not come in time for him to enter camp at noon on January 1st.
Okay..understood. But not buying that, thanks
Kirwin Weston better you keep your money and don’t buy anything. Professionalism goes across the board. Management cannot tell a player to contact another player for an issue of this sort. These are not little boys, so management needs to take some responsibility.
I completely understand where you coming from Zane
But did management tell Alvin to contact JJ ? Or was Alvin just informing him…I don’t see why JJ has to be reminded again by staff if he was informed already.
Saintfiet said he informed him in the initial talk.
But he didn’t get clearance from his club to go into camp. Why didn’t they contact JJ personally? I’m sure he told them that he was waiting for clearance which came the morning of the 1st. And if that’s the case he sent back a message with the initial messenger stating that he will be present on the following day. I don’t see that as a problem
So Zane Coker isn’t it now his responsibility to inform the manager that is has not been cleared by his employer and would be unable to join?
The team management would not have known.
Kester, it is ridiculous that these discussions were not happening between team manager and club to start with. That is absolutely bizarre. All those things would have been done by William Wallace before.
That should never have been Joevin’s responsibility.
I fully agree with Lasana Liburd. It is the responsibility of the management to ensure that everything is in place between all entities not the responsibility of the player to be going back and forth dealing with things of that sort.
I would even say that if the management sees Jomal Williams absent at 12.01pm, they can take initiative to call him and even get him a taxi if necessary.
But that is only if the national team management considers it in its best interest to get their best team at camp.
If not and it is Jomal to catch rather than the team losing the services of a talented midfielder… Well, we’re going good.
So long as we win our games of course.
Totally disagree with this dude.
The manager should have called players to find out “wey yuh is?”
That only sounds correct if its the U17 team.
And similarly i disagrer with the Joevin issue.
Players are told to assemble at noon at the hotel. Joevin is unable to so do because he has not gotten a release from his employer as at the morning.
Shouldn’t he not phone the manager and say “eh manage, i eh get meh release yet yuh know, so it eh look like ah go be in the camp today nuh”.
Seems I’ve been doing it wrong all these years.
I will tell my job to call me whenever they don’t see me by 7 in the morning because I keep their production up…righttt
Lasana, I want to know what has been the norm for players to be released from club. Ideally we’re saying manager should contact, but I want to know what was done the last few times JJ needed clearance.
Kirwin, never in my life have I heard about a player handling his own release to represent his country. And you haven’t either. It doesn’t happen. But you all don’t want to look at anything but the players here.
Kester, I agree that the player should be responsible and get there in time. But you would be surprised how many millionaire athletes you see on tv get help in same way.
Why do you think many clubs enter camp the night before the game? Or travel as a group?
It ent all about bonding eh. It is part safety mechanism too.
Pogba is known for his late coming. You think Mourinho will say: “Dais you!” and pick Fellaini?
Professional staff know they have to do their part to have their best team too.
It is up to everyone to decide where to draw the line and which player is worth it.
It is fully within Tom’s right to leave out anyone he wants. But let’s not be overly moralistic about it. And that doesn’t suddenly mean Tom is “already a winner even if the team loses”. That is just retarded thinking to me.
I’d love to know what happened in past releases…ok to u never hearing about it…but I’d love to know the procedure followed the last few times
You have got to be joking Kirwin. So I don’t cover football? Or you didn’t read about William Wallace handling releases? Suddenly you find the TTFA handling releases sounds strange?
So before match days, players all over the world are sitting down with club directors to get permission to go home and play Kirwin Weston? Feasible?
Not referring to all that…I wanna know about this specific case
If what Joevin described happened, it is wrong and someone at the TTFA was very irresponsible.
It is not the norm. I don’t think a professional club would release a player without proper request anyway. But everything about Joevin’s Christmas holidays seems to have been strange.
With the connection game being the highlight.