Coley: Boyz team needs quality midfielders
Published:Tuesday | January 2, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
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Former national assistant coach Miguel Coley is impressed with the work of Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson but he believes the midfield needs additional quality if the team is to fulfil its immense promise. The Reggae Boyz had a very...
Former national assistant coach Miguel Coley is impressed with the work of Reggae Boyz head coach Heimir Hallgrimsson but he believes the midfield needs additional quality if the team is to fulfil its immense promise.
The Reggae Boyz had a very good 2023, making it to the semifinals of the Gold Cup and qualifying for the Concacaf Nations League semifinals and the Copa America tournament, but the midfield continues to be the main area of concern.
Despite making it to two Gold Cup finals, the Reggae Boyz have never conquered the region and Coley believes the team has most of the pieces it needs to reach the summit.
However, if the team is to take that next step, he said they will need high-quality players in the middle of the park.
“We have very good attackers and defenders. But I think we struggle to find those midfielders that are quality and world-class.
“They are functioning well in certain things and each time you see some players in the midfield, it’s improving.
“But to be a world-beater or to do well in competitions, you always need quality midfielders,” he insisted.
He believes the forward line consisting of Leon Bailey, Demarai Gray, Michail Antonio and Shamar Nicholson has the potential to beat any team, and is one of the best in the confederation.
However, he said they must continue to search for players who will lift the standard of play in the midfield.
“I am impressed with the forward line and the defence is still fine-tuning. As time goes by, the pieces will come together.
“They are getting into more competitions, which is good. Qualifying for the Copa America was good; that means they have more football at a high level and will in turn attract better players because they are getting into these competitions.
“They are also doing fantastic in terms of the recruiting, and at the same time trying to blend some local talent. So they keep everybody sharp and interested and it gives hope to everybody,” he commented.
Coley, who was assistant to Winfried Schäfer during the 2015 Copa America and Gold Cup tournaments and is currently coaching in the Middle East with Qatar club Umm Salal, as their under-23 coach, admits he still has aspirations to coach the national team in the future.
However, he insists that Hallgrimsson is doing a good job thus far and that it is important that there is some stability after undergoing three coaching changes in less than a year.
“At this point in time, I am supporting what the coaching staff is doing. I am not hoping that something goes wrong and they will need a coach.
“We are at a stage where we need stability as much as possible. The team now needs stability as they have the Copa America, Nations League and Gold Cup coming up.
“So my intention now for the Jamaica team is to give them as much support as I can. I will always have the ambition to coach my national team, but in the future of course,” he added.