Bigger buy-in needed from Barbados

There is a bigger buy-in needed from the public if Barbados’ football is to achieve its full potential. This from the Barbados Tridents Head Coach, Russell Latapy, as he spoke ahead of tonight’s match against Anguilla in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers being played in the Dominican Republic.

Speaking to members of the media during a conference via Zoom yesterday, Latapy said that there were a lot of talented players in Barbados and the Caribbean, but there was a need for greater support from the public to see us turning the corner as we attempt to get better and improve the quality of the game.

“I have to say as well that we also need the support for some of these young players. The reality is that we have our expectations and I don’t know if the expectations that we have as a general public match the support that these players get. We have players who are working eight hours a day and then they come into training and, as coach, it is my job to demand off of them.”

Going on to say that there was a greater effort needed by the players and administrative staff as well, Latapy added that there was work needed on both sides of the spectrum.

“I think it’s a question of changing one or two elements in the way we look at football. I think it’s about changing our mentality. It’s about correcting our work ethic. I think if we can improve on one or two of these things, it would keep us moving in the right direction,” he said.

Noting that the Tridents consisted of fantastic players, Latapy went on to say that the Barbados Football Association was trying to put the right things in place to ensure that support for players comes, but that it is not the easiest thing as additional assistance was needed.

“I think if we can put all the factors in place, it gives these young players and this young talent a better opportunity to mature and to do well in a sport that they choose to play and then football would be in a good place.”

Stating that he understood the desire for the team to pull out results over teams, Latapy said that expectations of fans should be realistic.

“I also understand that the football fraternity wants the best for the team as well. What we are asking for is that we work together to come up with the best possible solutions, so we can make this a reality. I think sometimes when we criticise and it’s not constructive criticism, it is not always the best way to go about helping develop these young players and making our football the best it can be,” he said. (MP)

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