Three central defenders best chance to preserve shutout — Hall
Published:Friday | November 12, 2021 | 12:05 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
FOOTBALL ANALYST Michael Hall says that adopting a three-man backline gives the Reggae Boyz the best chance of continuing their recent defensive improvement.
Jamaica's 24-man squad for the upcoming qualifiers against El Salvador and the United States, respectively, were given a boost with the return of Reading's Liam Moore, who was unavailable for the October window because of injury. However, Brentford's Ethan Pinnock has been left off the squad for the second consecutive window.
After starting the campaign conceding eight goals from their first four games, the Reggae Boyz have posted back-to-back shutouts in their last two games, including a 2-0 win away to Honduras, their first win in the Central American country in their history. Additionally, they had to deal with an injury crisis in the defence with Moore and Pinnock injured, and midfielder Jevaughn Watson at one point filling in as a makeshift centre half against Canada, when Alvas Powell limped off injured. With Moore returning, Hall says that a system with three central defenders at the back, with Moore's insertion would be the best path for head coach Theodore Whitmore to take to continue the improvement they have made to their previous defensive woes."I think our best chance of doing it though is playing with three in central defence and finding two persons to play the wide defender role, probably Kemar Lawrence and maybe Oniel Fisher. But listen, once those three are there in the back with Blake in goal, we have every chance of keeping a clean sheet," Hall told The Gleaner.
Powell has been recalled to the team for the November games, while full back Gregory Leigh is also recalled.
No matter who is assigned the defensive duties, former national player Linval Dixon stressed the importance of ensuring proper communication from the entire team to maintain their shape and organisation
"It's about listening to each other as defenders on the field. One player or two players cannot defend the goal. It has to be a collective (effort) from the backline and, of course, the midfield and the strikers have to help. And they have to know that is all for one and one for all for each and every one of us," Dixon said.
"After those two games they played and got shutouts, I know they can have another one (against El Salvador) and against the USA in the National Stadium. I think all of those players are good players and it is for them to understand each other and work for each other."
The consensus of both Hall and Dixon is the importance of Anthony Grant to the team in defensive midfield. Dixon says that his performances so far is a marker for the team to follow.
"You can see that fighting spirit from Grant and we just have to keep going and get the other players involved to do the 'know-how' work that they have to put in to get results. It's really good to see that player doing good things on the field. And I hope that everyone can really follow it and get that drive to push," Dixon said.
"I think Grant really gives great support to the defenders and he is an excellent addition," Hall said. "I don't think there is any shortage of talent across the field, but somehow we haven't been able to get it right just yet. But two consecutive clean sheets, one of them a victory and away from home is a good, positive start of a turnaround.
Jamaica are in sixth place in the eight-team table with five points. They will play El Salvador on November 12 before hosting the US on November 16.