Whitmore says Mount Pleasant lack aggression in attack
Published:Tuesday | January 17, 2023 | 1:38 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Despite a winless run that has now stretched to two games, Mount Pleasant head coach Theodore Whitmore says that there is no reason to panic after a 0-0 draw with 13th place Vere United yesterday in their Jamaica Premier League fixture at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex.
The St Ann-based team was left frustrated by Vere, failing to unlock a defence that has conceded seven goals this season, tied for fourth best in the league despite their inefficiencies in front of the goal.
Mount Pleasant saw their unbeaten run end at the hands of Arnett Gardens last week Monday. While not deterred by their recent rough patch, Whitmore acknowledged that the intensity in their attack was missing.
“I wouldn’t say there are any (major) changes (to be made). I don’t think that we played with enough aggression in the attacking third. We didn’t create enough scoring opportunities and I think that cost us,” Whitmore said.
Whitmore said that they are looking for reinforcements in the attacking positions to give themselves options so they do not depend solely on Trivante Stewart
“If Trivante is not scoring, we need someone to put the ball in the back of the net and that was our downfall today,” he said.
Meanwhile, Vere assistant coach Paul Young said they are proving that they can defend with the best of the league, with their attacking deficiencies the only problem they need to solve.
“We are satisfied with the effort that they put in last night. It is a long and hard road ahead. The results showed that we can defend. We are just not scoring. We just have to get a quality striker in this transfer window and you can expect some better results going forward,” Young said.
Vere have only scored two goals so far this season in 10 games and while aware of the tough task of being more clinical in attack, Young said he still has faith that the young core that they have assembled will shine and help them to steer them away from the relegation places.
“It’s very difficult but the attitude and work that they put in and the ability to listen and their coachability make our job a little bit easier. In a matter of time I think we will get there.”
Vere United are still without a win this season, as they are languishing in 13th place with seven points but are much closer to getting out of the bottom two. They are just one point away from fellow strugglers Chapelton Maroons who are in 12th spot.