‘We have to believe’
McClaren backs Reggae Boyz resilience to take them past US
Published:Monday | November 18, 2024 | 12:10 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
REGGAE BOYZ coach Steve McClaren will bank on the team’s remarkable away form to overturn their one-goal deficit when they square off against the United States in their Concacaf Nations League, League A second-leg quarterfinal at City Park in Missouri tonight at 8:00.
The Reggae Boyz lost the first leg at home 1-0. However, unlike the three draws, two defeats, and a win in their last six games at the Office, they have been outstanding away, with six wins and a draw from their last seven outings.
McClaren pointed to the team’s incredible comeback win against Canada at this stage of the competition last year as well as the resilience and quality they have shown in the two away games under his watch as reasons to believe in their chances.
“Belief is so important,” he told a pre-match press conference yesterday.
“The process, tactics (are important), but if you don’t believe, don’t bother showing up.
“So we have to believe. That is the first thing. And we have to have the confidence to do that. It doesn’t matter if we concede a goal because we know we need to score two. So we have to be ambitious and creative.
“We’ve done that in away games. We’ve been solid. We defend well, and our transition has been very good, and that’s why we won in Honduras.
“When I reflect on the (Canada) game a year ago, 2-1 down against Canada, and go to Canada and win 3-2, there is resilience in this team, there is resilience in this squad.
“It’s more apparent, you see it more, in away games. That is what I have seen in the two away games, and I want to see that tomorrow. The resilience, being hard to beat, the work rate.”
With the away goal rule in effect, even a 2-1 win would be enough to see the Boyz through to the last four, and McClaren noted that it is critical they get off to a good early start.
“I watched Honduras-Mexico (quarterfinal), a game of real aggression and intensity, and that is what we have to be. We have been doing it away from home and we have to do it tomorrow.
“The USA are a good team. They have good players. They play with a new system under (Mouricio) Pochettino. We reviewed the game (first leg). We created opportunities, but we were a little too open.
“We have to start well and be on the front foot. We have players in our squad that can win games. So if we do our job defensively, we expect our match winners to win the game for us,” he commented.
The Boyz will be missing regular starters in Ethan Pinnock, who picked up an injury just before the camp, as well as Michail Antonio and Kaheim Dixon, who both lost their passports and were unable to get new ones or visas in time to travel to the US.
Bobby Reid is also out injured and Mason Holgate is suspended.
However, the Englishman has called up midfielder Ravel Morrison and striker Corey Bennett, and in Morrison he believes he has another match winner in the ranks.
“I am always looking out for good players, players who can make a difference, handle the ball, and Ravel has always been one of them. I worked with Ravel for two years at Derby County. I got to know him well. He is a great personality and an unbelievable talent.
“He wasn’t picked before because he wasn’t playing. All of a sudden he has a club in Dubai, and he has been playing well, scoring goals and assisting, and this is a perfect opportunity for Ravel to come into the squad.
“This is a big game, and whether he starts or comes on, he is one of the players who can win a game of football, like Leon, and we got plenty of them.
“So it’s to allow Ravel to start or come off the bench. He is a big plus. We need goals. We need creativity. I am looking forward to seeing him play, and it’s a big opportunity for him to come in and show what he can do,” McClaren said.
According to the coach, the loss of Holgate and Pinnock can be made up for with the talent in the squad.
“We have good players in the squad. Di’shon Bernard comes back in the squad. He is very capable. He has played in these big games. We have no problem with that. We have enough defenders.”