Nicholson will improve – Price

June 27, 2019
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Shamar Nicholson’s former coach, Andrew Price, said although the national forward had an off day against Curacao in their Concacaf Gold Cup match on Tuesday, he should quickly put the day behind him and get ready for the next opportunity that will come his way.

Nicholson, who was earning his first start of the tournament, got on the scoresheet in the 12th minute but wasted numerous chances to add to his and Jamaica’s tally.

In the opening minutes, the former Boys’ Town striker had two great chances but he placed his first effort wide before heading the other over. In the 10th minute, he got another header, but his effort was blocked by a defender. Two minutes later he produced an excellent curling shot that hit the post and rebounded into play. However, a minute after, he scored the most unlikely of his chances when he quickly readjusted his feet to redirect a shot by Andre Lewis on goal.

But the 22-year-old, who could have had a hat-trick on the day, missing another two easy chances in the second period, heading over from a corner from six yards in the 61st minute, then blasting over from close range with the goal at his mercy in the 70th. But Price says it was just one of those days and strikers will have games like that.

BETTER DAYS

“It wasn’t one of his better days,” he said. “I have seen Shamar play a lot better, but this wasn’t one of his better days. Sometimes you will have days as a young striker where things just don’t go right. He scored one but could have easily have a hat-trick, so he needs to be more composed in front of the goal. He is a young player and will continue to learn. He just has to dust himself off and get ready for the next opportunity that the coach will give to him,” his former coach commented.

Price thought the other aspects of the forward’s game were impressive and that he gave the Curacao defence a lot to think about on the evening.

“I am not sure (if he will start next game), but what I have seen is that he seems very aggressive coming from the bench and he scored a goal in his first start,” he said. “But it (Nicholson starting next game) depends on the coaches and what they think is the best combination. He does gives a lot of variety because of his size and strength, but coach (Theodore Whitmore) will make the right decision.”

Price believes it is a big confidence booster for the striker to get his first goal of the tournament, and he hopes Nicholson can build on the work he has done so far.

“It is always good to score goals at any level in any competition. For him to get one yesterday (Tuesday) was good. He could have gotten more, but I am sure he will be mindful of that and that the next game he will have to be more clinical in front of goal,” Price added.

 

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