Gilbert’s unshakable self-belief
Published:Wednesday | May 1, 2024 | 12:12 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
EVEN AFTER helping Arnett Gardens to consistently impressive preliminary stage performances and into the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) quarterfinals, many observers still had question marks about coach Xavier Gilbert.
However, after outplaying and outcoaching Portmore United’s Philip Williams over two legs of JPL quarterfinal action, many are starting to give the long-time women’s football coach his due respect.
Gilbert expected the detractors, considering it a normal part of the business, but said he believes in himself.
“I believe in my ability and I believe in my players and that is the greatest motivation for me.
“Then it’s for you to put the pieces together. It’s not perfect, but the players stepped up. Even when we had players missing, you would never know,” he said.
“I am just happy to be in the semifinals and working with these players. It’s my first season with them and making it here, for me it’s a good feeling.
“But you have to prove yourself, as that is the nature Jamaica and football fans across the world. So this is pleasing for me.”
The Arnett Gardens crowd is also one of the most difficult to please, but he believes his professional approach has endeared him to them, the players, and management.
“Football fans in general across the world are tough to please but I understand that the (Arnett) people are very passionate about the football.
“This is what these (Arnett) fans look forward to. So I knew the situation I was getting into. But I just remained professional and did what I had to, and thankfully I got the respect and the cooperation of the players, the rest of the staff and management.”
Arnett defeated Portmore 1-0 in the second leg of their quarterfinal for a 2-1 aggregate victory, and Gilbert thought of the four times they played Portmore this season, this was their most complete performance.
“We started much better than the other games that we played Portmore, and didn’t start as good as we should.
“We made some tactical adjustments and I thought it paid dividends for us. We didn’t allow them to settle and we dominated for most part.
“We had a few instances where we allowed them too much space around the back but I thought we were the dominant team and I must credit the players on how they started the game and saw it right through.
“There was never a moment when we were not getting opportunities as we created chances right throughout the game,” he said.