Jabloteh mean serious business

Fenwick was brought back to the San Juan based club in the middle of the last season, after Jabloteh got off to a shaky start, spending the first part of the season in the bottom half of the standings.

He has made it clear that last season he had to use the players who were on the roster and made the best use of his resources, but this year, the Englishman is promising his team will be transformed into a well- oiled machine.

Jabloteh officials have taken a decision to go 100 percent local this season and Fenwick says

he has been able to bring in the players he feels can get the job done.

“I have had the time to hand-pick the players that I feel can make a significant difference and will make us stronger as a team and I really believe we can win all the honours this coming season,” he said.

The coach says he has made a thorough search and firmly believes from what he has seen of the local players his squad has what it takes to compete at the highest level. Jabloteh’s mission is to continue producing players that can make the national team he said.

He is not overly concerned about some of the teams in the league who are signing up Brazilians, Colombians, and Jamaicans.

“I am confident we can win the league and we will be going after all the knockout competitions, I know it won’t be easy because I am sure that some of the teams will be better prepared this year. I am aware there are a lot of foreigners coming into the various teams, but we are very organised this year. Our boys are fit and we are well prepared, so bring them on. We are ready,” said Fenwick.

The core of Jabloteh’s squad from last season returns, but this year experienced captain Angus Eve, who recently retired from international football will not be in the ranks as a player.

And the man likely to take the captain’s arm band is midfielder Kerry Baptiste.

Fenwick admits Eve’s leadership qualities will be missed.

“At this stage of his career I don’t think he has 90 minutes of football in him. He is a great guy and his focus now will be coaching the young players at the club. But we have young guys that will step up in his place,” Fenwick said.

Jabloteh have brought in six or seven new players, which Fenwick thinks will make a difference in his squad this year.

“I now have competition for every place in the squad and that will only bring out the best in my players,” he said. He is looking forward to some of his senior players stepping up their performances.

As far as I am concerned Aurtis Whitley, Trent Noel, Kerry Baptiste and Cyd Gray need to step it up, because this year we have some youngsters coming in that will certainly be putting pressure on these guys and that will guarantee me better performances from some of the older players and that’s great for Jabloteh,” Fenwick said.

Jabloteh has signed brothers Anthony and Glenton Wolfe from North East Stars; national midfielder Brent Rahim as well as former TT striker Peter Prosper. Young talented midfielder Keston Pierre from North East Stars has also come on board.

Fenwick is particularly excited about the signing of Anton Wolfe. “He epitomises what a striker is. He just loves to score goals. I am working on a couple weaknesses in his game but I think he is a wonderful player,” Fenwick said.

“As for Brent Rahim, I think he is a hard worker, but I believe his game has suffered because he has been playing in the lower Leagues in England and Scotland, where the standard of play is just fast and furious with little quality.

But I plan to work on him and see him improve. I believe he is a quality player that just needs sharpening, and I think he is a great addition to the squad,” says Fenwick.

Commenting on 35-year-old striker Peter Prosper, the Jabloteh coach, said: “I was delightfully surprised when I saw him in pre-season. He is a big strong guy, a great header of the ball.

He still has a hunger to score goals, and I am looking forward to his contribution this season,” Fenwick said.

The Jabloteh boss is generally a very satisfied man and feels that his players got the best possible preparation for what will be another long season.

“We have had three intense weeks of preparation, a string of practice matches, which we won 5-0, 7-1, 11-1 and 6-1 and while I am a bit concerned about the couple goals we have been giving away, I am pleased with what I have seen. I believe we are the best footballing team in the league and I sincerely believe Jabloteh is the team to beat this season,” Fenwick said.

TEAM PROFILE

Coach — Terry Fenwick

Assistant Coach — Michael Grayson

2004 Achievements — Runners-up in the League competition, FA Cup Champions and Pro Bowl Champions.

Last Season’s Top Scorer — Josh Johnson and Kerry Noray (15 goals each)

New Players— Anton Wolfe, Glenton Wolfe, Brent Rahim, Kestern Pierre, Michael Alexis and Peter Prosper

Registered Squad — Kerry Baptiste (Captain); Goalkeepers — Daurance Williams, Brian James;

Defenders — Nigel Daniel, Ian Gray, Cyd Gray, Keyno Thomas, Karlon Murray and Ronald Primus; Midfielders— Kerry Baptiste, Josh Johnson, Brent Rahim, Michael Alexis, Kestern Pierre, Aurtis Whitley, Glenton Wolfe and Trent Noel; Forwards — Anton Wolfe, Peter Prosper, Jason Marcano.