Thomas: There is no pressure

Coach of Portmore United Football Club, Shavar Thomas, says he is under no pressure to deliver the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) title in only his first season at the club.

After Portmore were defeated in the two previous finals, to Montego Bay United in 2016 and Arnett Gardens last year, Thomas came in to replace Linval Dixon. Now, Portmore are in another RSPL final, this time against Waterhouse next Monday at the National Stadium, starting at 8:35 p.m.

"It was not a situation where when I joined the team, they said, yeah I must win this season or at least get back into the final. My ambition from the outset was to be here again. From last season, I knew that we have the quality players in the team to deliver," Thomas said during a RSPL press briefing at the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) yesterday.

"My ambition from the outset was to do one better because the team has quality players and the blueprint was already there. To get to this stage in my first season as head coach is tremendous. I have been there as a player but this is my first time as a coach," the former national player shared.

Thomas is looking forward to a tough game when the teams battle for the RSPL championship title and $2.5 million cash incentive. The losers will pocket $1.5 million.

"At this stage it is the last game of the season, what we did earlier is irrelevant at this time. We have been the most consistent team while Waterhouse have improved since coach Donovan Duckie took over. They have quality so that is something to go up against," Thomas said.