Latest News
Mount Pleasant, Arnett aim for positive result
August 27, 2024
After losing their opening game in the Concacaf Caribbean Club championship, Mount Pleasant United FC Academy goalkeeper Shaquan Davis is convinced that they can rebound with a victory against local rivals Arnett Gardens at Sabina Park today, starting at 5 p.m.
Davis, who watched from the bench as Cavalier fired two unanswered goals past his team last week, said although things look bad right now they can turn it around and get back on track.
"Sometimes a bad start can be very bad," he told the pre-match press conference. "And looking at the group (standings), it seems very bad but it definitely can be fixed," he argued.
"We just know that we have to put our minds to it and know that we cannot afford to mess up anymore. So we have to start on the front foot and start very positive."
Arnett, who are playing their first game of the competition, are also hunting their first point. So defeat for either team could be damaging.
The St Ann team had a coaching change which saw Harold Thomas and his staff removed after their first game in charge, following the Cavalier loss.
In an equally dramatic turnaround, Theodore Whitmore, the coach who was sacked for Thomas, was immediately reinstated.
Davis noted that the return of Whitmore has lifted the spirits of the players.
"We went to back-to-back finals (Jamaica Premier League) and in doing so we created a very deep bond with the coach. It is good to have coach Whitmore back. So we expect to do well," he reasoned.
"We are working for a positive result. The spirit in the team has been lifted highly. We are just happy that he (Whitmore) is back. We just hope for the best. Hopefully, we can do the job," he said.
In Whitmore's previous stint, the team was built on a solid defence. But that defence came under heavy criticism, after a sloppy display in the last game.
Nevertheless, Davis' presence is expected to make a difference in stabilising their solidity.
"First, I am expecting a very decent game from myself and the lads. Every player who is a goalkeeper wants to keep a clean sheet, no matter which match it is. So that is definitely my focus, to get a clean sheet.
"Just being there as a senior player should help the team itself. Commanding the box, playing well, giving the right instructions and doing the right things, the simple things and that will do a lot for the team," he said.
"We have a lot of quality players. We have experience. We have international players. We just have to continue to be positive, keep going and be strong and keep fighting for one another and I definitely believe that we will get the result," Davis noted.
Arnett Gardens are coming off a high, having won the regional Caribbean Football Union Caribbean Club Shield after defeating Antigua and Barbuda club Grenades FC 1-0 in the final.
The Junglists' head coach, Xavier Gilbert, said it is important that they also start the competition on a positive note, stating that they will be taking a cautious approach.
"This game is going to be extremely tough. They are coming off a loss and will want to ensure that they stay in the hunt," Gilbert noted.
"They are a quality team. They have acquired some good players, so it is going to be tough. But we are going to put our best foot forward and ensure that we get something out of the game," he said.
"We just have to be cautious and try not to concede any goals for the entire game. If there are openings and we can take advantage of that, we will," said Gilbert. "But we know we have to come out and execute. It will not be easy. Hopefully, we can get the fans behind us to give us that added push."
