Nicholson wants extra intensity

National striker Shamar Nicholson has demanded extra intensity and concentration as they face the United States this afternoon in their World Cup qualifier at the National Stadium. Match time is at 5 p.m.

The Reggae Boyz will start the second half of their qualifying campaign in sixth place with six points, five adrift of fourth-place Panama and in desperate need of points to fuel a turnaround.

With two crucial points dropped last Friday in their 1-1 draw with El Salvador, Nicholson says that they cannot afford at this stage for anyone to assign blame for what has gone wrong so far, but has called for a collective action to get them back in the hunt.

"This is not the time to point fingers. It's time for everyone to look within themselves and see what they can do more. When I mean everyone I include myself," Nicholson told STAR Sports. "I think we have to give that extra."

Jamaica were on the verge of back-to-back wins when Michail Antonio scored what seemed to be the winner in the 82nd minute. A late equaliser combined with Panama's come-from-behind win against Honduras saw them miss their chance to close the gap on the top four places. The lapse in concentration which led to the goal is what Nicholson says must be corrected to get a win in front of limited vaccinated fans at 'The Office'.

"In Friday's game it was just one minute before added time (when we conceded) and those are the little details we need to focus on," Nicholson said.

Jamaica have only scored five times in seven games so far in this campaign.

Meanwhile, national midfielder Junior Flemmings says that he feels embolden with having home support again rather than pressure.

"I wouldn't say pressure. It's definitely that 12th man that we have been looking for. Because when we go to other countries, we can feel their presence. We can feel that they have help, not just the players on the field but their entire country supporting them. We hope that it's the same atmosphere here at home," Flemmings said.