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Duckie: Drastic changes needed at Humble Lion
January 08, 2025
Donovan Duckie, the Humble Lion coach, says the Clarendon-based club is in need of drastic changes in order to once again become a competitive force in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).
Between 2011 and 2017 Humble Lion were one of the standard bearers in the league, both in terms of player quality and financial power.
However, since topping the preliminary stage of the league in the 2016-17 season and losing in the semi-finals, the Effortville club has been a shadow of their former selves and have been battling relegation each season since then.
Humble Lion are currently at the foot of the JPL standing with 10 points and just one win from 16 matches and are likely to end their 16-year stay in the top-flight.
Duckie admitted the club has been in stagnation for the last few years and have not taken the path that most prominent local clubs have, and that there are two main things they need to address just to get Humble Lion being competitive this season.
"Everyone knows Humble Lion is not a newcomer to the league. It is a club with good reputation. But we have to be honest with the fans and also people who work in the industry and know of the team.
"We have to be honest with everyone and be honest with ourselves, and I think Humble Lion are the only club in the JPL that has not made the transition in the direction that the football has evolved," he said.
"The game has evolved to a fast transition game with counter attacks and counter pressing. So the age of the team is one factor we have to look at. We have to lower that.
"We also need to bring in players with good running ability, players that can suit the football that is being played now. So basically that is the direction that the club is looking to go in now."
He revealed that the club wants to change at least half the squad in the January transfer window, but they are worried the players they are aiming for may not be readily available.
"We want to maintain a certain amount of senior players to help guide the youths. So it is important to have players with age but what percentage of the team?
"We are looking at about 10 to 12 new players and that tells you exactly what I am trying to say. We are definitely looking to get in some fresh blood. Some from the daCosta Cup. Some from JPL clubs and others from Tier Two," he added.
Duckie believes a lot more work will be required to fight off relegation this season.
"The team is in a transition phase but we still want to be competitive in the league. We might be at the foot of the table but two or three wins can put you back in contention for a top six position.
" There are more than 20 games to be played. It is not time to press any panic button. It is time to be more serious and more focused and try to look forward to our first victory in the New Year," Duckie said.
