Calm under pressure ... Bibi confident struggling Harbour View will recover

The challenges Ricardo 'Bibi' Gardner, coach of Harbour View FC, has endured during his playing days is providing him with the composure he needs to lift his side out of the uncharted waters they have found themselves in.

The Stars of the East carved out a 1-1 draw against Tivoli Gardens in yesterday's Red Stripe Premier League action at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex. That result coupled with Humble Lion's surprising 1-0 win over Mount Pleasant at Drax Hall, means that Harbour View, who are now on five points after six games, are at the foot of the 12-team table.

And though it is the first time that Harbour View have found themselves in this position since they were re-promoted to top-flight football in the 1995, a defiant Gardner said he is not nervous about the situation, and added that he has no fears that his club will be relegated under his tutelage.

NOTNERVOUS

"I am not nervous any at all," said Gardner, who had to deal with several serious injuries and other issues during his playing days. "I am definitely looking forward to this new challenge. Football has given me everything I have in my life and I will do everything to give back to the game and I know from experience that it is not always going to be smooth."

Junior McGregor had given the hosts the lead in the 37th minute but Harbour View skipper Nicholas Beckett pegged them back from the penalty spot with a goal on the 45th-minute mark.

That strike was only Harbour View's fifth goal of the season. Only Reno (three goals), who will face Montego Bay United tonight at Montego Bay Sports Complex have scored less. Harbour View's problems this season are also obvious at the other end of the field, as only Cavalier with 12, have conceded more goals than the 11 that have bulged the Harbour View net.

However, the former Bolton Wanderers player said that he believes he has the right squad in place to turn the season around and bring the four-time champions up the standings.

"I believe this group of players is capable of doing the job. They have to just learn to concentrate more. Football is a game that is played for 90 plus minutes and if you are not able to concentrate for the entire game, then you can give soft goals like the one we gave up today," Gardner said. "We are going back to training to work on our finishing and I have confidence that we will be able to get it right."

Yesterday's RSPL Results:

Dunbeholden 1-1 Cavalier

Portmore United 1-1 UWI

Mount Pleasant 0-1 Humble Lion

Waterhouse 1-1 Arnett Gardens

Tivoli 1-1 Harbour View