Under-pressure Teddy up for a fight against Faulkland

FAULKLAND FC coach, Gregory Palmer, has been in charge of the unit in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) for five matches and has garnered more points in the period than the team had in its previous 12 games.

Although Palmer sees today’s game against struggling Tivoli Gardens as another opportunity to grab some more points in an attempt get clear of the relegation zone, he anticipates a challenge.

“I have been in charge for five games and I have a win and two draws and two losses, and out of the five games we have three clean sheets. So it is just to get all the aspects of the team playing together at once and there is still time to put things together,” he said

He said Tivoli may not be the force they once were but that they can never be underestimated.

“Tivoli is not the Tivoli of old. They have been having some bad results as well just as Faulkland. But they have been more consistent over the season and Tivoli is Tivoli. But if we can put it together, we can do well,” he said.

He added that both teams were very much aware of each other’s capabilities and it was just a matter of who was better on the day.

“What we’ve seen of the Tivoli team, we will coach with that in mind. I know the Tivoli team has watched Faulkland as well and they are going to coach against that. So it is just who executes on the day.

“We drew against Arnett and Mount Pleasant. So it is just to concentrate a bit more when we play other opponents and not only teams in the top half of the table,” he said.

FEELING THE HEAT

His counterpart, Jermaine Johnson, has been feeling the heat after three consecutive losses along with no win in five games. Now, he knows he has to be wary of the relegation strugglers.

“They are like a cat that is cornered and will try to fight their way out. But we have to keep working, keep fighting and let the players believe in themselves,” he said.

He admits the morale is at its lowest, but he insists they will keep fighting to get things right.

“Morale is low but I am a positive person and I try to give them the right mental advice so they can go out and keep working and keep fighting.

“It is a very important game so we have to keep going and keep fighting as we need the win,” he said.

Tivoli sit 10th in the 14-team standings with 17 points, while Faulkland are second from bottom on eight points, one above last-place Chapelton.

livingston.scott@gleanerjm.com

Today’s Games

Monday’s Games

- Chapelton vs Waterhouse at Waterhouse Mini-Stadium at 4 p.m.

- Cavalier vs Dunbeholden at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

- Arnett vs Montego Bay at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5:30 p.m.

- Tivoli vs Faulkland at Edward Seaga Sports Complex at 3 p.m.

- Vere vs Molynes at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 5 p.m.

- Harbour View vs Humble Lion at Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex at 7:30 p.m