Cavalier sticking to principles

THE VIEW from the top may be bringing unexpected challenges for defending Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier Soccer Club, but technical director Rudolph Speid says that their philosophy has remained the same in their development as they seek back-to-back titles.

Cavalier SC will face Vere United tomorrow at 1 p.m. at the UWI-JFF Captain Horace Burrell Centre of Excellence.

After back-to-back defeats, Cavalier have recovered, winning back-to-back games against Humble Lion and Harbour View, respectively, vaulting themselves to third place with nine points, four points off leaders Mount Pleasant.

Speid has acknowledged that being the hunted this season has been an adjustment, from building yet another young core of players to not having his preferred midfielders such as Nickashe Murray on the field because of injury. Despite that, he says that commitment to their principles has made them work smarter, not harder.

"It is a little different. Every team is coming with their A-game now. Because they are playing the champions and they want to take us down a peg or two and also our team is younger than last year. So those really don't go hand in hand to win the title," Speid told The Weekend STAR. "But we believe in our philosophy in bringing across young, talented players, and we believe in playing our style."

In preparing for Vere United's organised block, Speid said that they will have to be patient not only in how they break down their opponents' backline, but to take advantage of any cracks in their defence.

"Clearly, because that is his strength, we have to take away the counter-attack from him, so we'll be prepared for that. At the same time, the game is 90 minutes. (Their defence) has to at some time get disorganised and we'll be trying to spot it and penetrate," Speid said

Meanwhile, Arnett Gardens will face Montego Bay United in the second game of tomorrow's double-header, at 3:15 p.m. Arnett are currently fourth in the table with eight points after their 2-1 win over Vere United, while Montego Bay are in ninth with four points after their 1-1 draw with Tivoli Gardens.

Sunday's slate of games will be headlined by Molynes United's pursuit of back-to-back wins as they face league leaders Mount Pleasant at 3:15 p.m. Humble Lion will face Waterhouse in the early game at 1:00 p.m.

Molynes United caused a shock as they defeated previously unbeaten Waterhouse 2-0 last week, and head coach Garnett Lawrence has already brought his team back down to earth in getting them ready to face another top team in the league.

"We have been telling these guys all season there is a difference between doing your job and doing your work. If we continue to tell you to do your work, you are not doing it," Lawrence said. "They did their job (last week) and I hope that they continue to do that for the rest of the season."