Patrick promises Racing’s survival
Published:Saturday | November 9, 2024 | 12:08 AM
Despite sitting just inside the relegation zone of the Wray and Nephew-sponsored Jamaica Premier League (JPL), Racing United head coach Anthony Patrick says he is confident his team will ensure their survival by the end of the season.
It has not been the best of starts to their maiden campaign for the St Catherine-based club, as they sit 13th in the league with five points, with only Molynes United separating them and the foot of the table.
Racing have only won once this season, with a 1-0 victory against Dunbeholden which came in match week two.
Despite their slow start, Patrick is confident his players will turn their fortunes around and begin their climb out of the relegation zone.
He stated it is far too early in the season to sound the alarm bells regarding any possible relegation fight.
“I am not worried,” Patrick insisted. “We still have two more rounds plus the games in this round left to play. As I said, we are not worried and we’re pretty confident that we have what it takes to stay up in the league and create some damage.”
History will not be on the side of Racing, however, as, for the past two seasons, no promoted team has survived their first season in the JPL.
However, Patrick is confident his players can defy the odds, as he believes they have the quality to avoid the drop.
He said, while Racing may be making their first-ever appearance in the JPL, they are no strangers to the teams in the top flight.
Racing, before their promotion to the JPL, would often play matches against JPL opponents, and Patrick believes this experience will prove vital in their fight for survival.
“I think we have adjusted very quickly. The thing about us, for the past two seasons, we’ve been playing in the Tier II Championship and we played a lot of practice games against the Premier League teams. So moving up to the JPL wasn’t a bother for us,” he explained.
Racing’s next assignment will see them taking on fellow promoted team Chapelton Maroons tomorrow at Sabina Park.
They will hoping to get all three points and claim their second win of the season so far.
“Definitely, we want to get certain things right up front and at the back. We want to keep away teams from scoring against us and, at the same time, trying to put away the chances that we’re creating. If we can do that, then things will be okay for us going forward,” he said.
“We definitely want the three points. They are in front of us now but we need the three points as a team.”