'Tappa' says he didn't bow

Livingston Scott

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

National senior team coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore said that he did not bow to public pressure in calling up Harbour View midfield general, Jermaine Hue, to the Reggae Boyz squad preparing for a two-match friendly series against Cuba tomorrow and Friday.

"I never fall to public pressure, never," Whitmore said at the team's training session at the UWI Mona Bowl yesterday.

The Reggae Boyz coach insisted that he and his coaching staff are presently trying to get the blend of local players right so that when they World Cup qualifier begin in June, the programme would be in good stead.

Hue's selection, he said, was timely and justified at this juncture.

Whitmore said the Cuba ties are aimed at exposing the local pool, giving them a chance to strut their stuff for possible selection to the final World Cup squad.

"These games that we are preparing for are for the local based players, to really get a chance to try and earn a spot in the World Cup team... and I just felt it was time for Jermaine Hue to come in," he said.

Whitmore warned that the crafty midfielder should not be pressured into proving his ability, as his range of skills is well-known.

"Jermaine Hue is here and we know what he has to offer, so we just have to go out and work with him and try get the best out of him... better late than never... and we only saw it fit to bring him in and it's not because of the public outcry why he is here," the World Cup veteran.

Following the second match against Cuba, the Boyz will depart for New Zealand against that country's team on February 29. Jamaica open their CONCACAF World Cup qualifying campaign against Guatemala in Kingston on June 8.

Meanwhile, Boys' Town trio of Oneil Thompson, Renae Lloyd and Xavian Virgo, along with Arnett's Rohan Reid, missed their teams' Red Stripe Premier League games on Sunday because of national duty.

Waterhouse midfielder, Vincent Earle, meantime missed a rare senior team selection due to injury.