No mind games – Hall speaks about resignation threat
Published:Monday | June 13, 2022 | 12:08 AMDaniel Wheeler/Staff Reporter
Interim senior men’s head coach Paul Hall admitted as much that when it comes to the Reggae Boyz, expect chaos. However, he said that reports of his possible resignation following travel difficulties last week were not mind games as they continue their Nations League campaign.
The Reggae Boyz, who defeated Suriname 3-1 last Tuesday, survived a turbulent preparation period which saw Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) General Secretary Dalton Wint resign after heavy pressure from the players, resulting from poor travel arrangements from Paramaribo, Suriname, after their 1-1 on June 4. Training the day before Tuesday’s game was cancelled, with the game at risk of not being played.
When asked in the post-game press conference if the chaos was part of a mind game in the build-up and if Wint’s resignation has fixed the outside issues, Hall said that the performance showed the players’ commitment and his (commitment) to the long-term future.
“I don’t think you can play mind games like that because you are playing with fire. I wish I could all the time if I want to get results like that. It’s a slow process. And what you saw out there was a result of the players being together and really wanting to show the public that they are together, committed,” Hall said. “And I am committed with them. When the pressure was on, they delivered.”
It is the latest chapter for a team that can never seem to step away from administrative issues off the field. But in the circumstances, Hall said that he was pleased with how the team responded in the midst of their recent storm.
“Sometimes Jamaica is chaos. Sometimes we operate really well in chaos. But again, it’s just one of those things where we didn’t want it to be like that. But the guys answered that question,” Hall said.
National defender Damion Lowe said that Hall has displayed the commitment both on the field and off in getting them focused on the task at hand and believes that now, they have to reward that effort with good performances on the field.
MAXIMUM EFFORT
“I believe that when players trust a coach you will get anything out of them. And he is trying, and we see that he is making every effort on and off the field to make sure that we are fully focused and prepared. So we have to pay him back with results and maximum effort,” Lowe said.
It was a sentiment echoed loudly by national winger Leon Bailey, who in the middle of Lowe’s post-game interview, gave his take on the current trajectory of the team.
“Good news! Good things happening!” he said.
Hall is the front-runner to take the job full time, and he says that one result will not deter him from his long-term mission for the programme.
“It’s the motivation from inside.It’s important that I’ve got to drive this country forward, and it means driving everyone forward. We all have a part to play in this,” Hall said. “One result can never derail what you are trying to do.”
Hall welcomed captain Andre Blake , who missed the last two games because of an undisclosed injury, back to training. However, goalkeeper Amal Knight and defender Richard King are unavailable for tomorrow’s game against Mexico at the National Stadium because of illness or injury. In a release at the weekend, the JFF confirmed that goalkeeper Jahmali Waite and defender Jordan Scarlett have been added to the squad.