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McClaren hopes to work more with local-based players
February 11, 2025
After what he described as a "delightful" experience, Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren is hoping to have more camps with local players.
A largely local-based Jamaica squad played to a 1-1 draw with Trinidad and Tobago in the last game of a two-match international friendly series at the Anthony Spaulding Sports Complex on Sunday night.
Trinidad and Tobago's Josiah Trimmingham was both hero and villain, as he scored both goals. The Montego Bay United defender put Trinidad ahead with a 29th-minute header, but also inadvertently scored an added-time own goal to salvage a draw for the home team, when he deflected Kimani Arbouine's finish past his goalkeeper.
McClaren said he "enjoyed" his time with the players, who showed attitude, character and spirit. and that at least four players could make the step up to the regular squad.
"The players are a pleasure to work with. Attitude, spirit, they showed that in training, they showed that in the game and I look forward to seeing them again, and not just playing for their clubs.
"If we can organise more games and get-togethers like this, I think it will benefit the national team, the JPL (Jamaica Premier League) and the players going forward," McClaren said post-match.
INTEGRATION
The former Manchester United assistant coach said monthly camps would help local players integrate into his system better.
Asked about locally based players with the potential to make his World Cup squad, McClaren responded, "Most definitely. But as I said, we should do this more. If we can have the players two days, once a month going forward, I think it would benefit everybody involved more, in terms of football, the national team, the league and individually.
"More games, more get-togethers. We tried to give them a lot of information, a lot of detail; that is what international football is about. We just try to give the players some experience. We had them for a week. I am delighted with the way they behaved, they trained.
"They've never been late, [they were] attentive in meetings, cooperative, collaborative; I really enjoyed it. It's a really good set of players and I hope everybody benefits from this exercise, and we will take the positives and go again," he said.
One of the criticisms of the senior Reggae Boyz team, with its influx of England-born players, is that the team lacks passion and hunger, which many local football observers believe local players would bring.
CHARACTER
McClaren was also pleased with the energy and character showed by the group, and said they have set the template for regulars to follow.
"When the boys came to the camp, the number one assessment was character; how they handle the shirt, as it can be heavy. Can they play for Jamaica like they play for their clubs? That's the key thing. So character, attitude and spirit. I call it energy," McClaren stated.
"In all the camps I've have, I had unbelievable energy from the players and this was not different, and that kept us going all the way. We never gave up. It showed in the consistency and commitment of the team, that they scored in the last 10 minutes and went on to salvage a point.
"I like the second half. The intensity. That's the demonstration of what a Jamaica team should be like going forward. That's what I want. That's what I want to see.
"I was pleased with the performances, especially the second halves. The tempo was better, that is the tempo we want to play at. When we play with that intensity and tempo we dominate games and create chances, and that's what we did," he noted.
He added that the aim of the camp has been achieved, which was to see players and give as many of them an opportunity.
"The first game we really wanted to win. So we tried to keep the team on for long periods and make sure we were strong all the way through, and we won," he said.
"This (second) game was different. We wanted to see the players who played in MoBay, if they could recover. International football is very hectic. Could players recover in two days and play again. That was one intention we had," McClaren explained.
"The other one was to see every player we could. Unfortunately, there were two or three we couldn't get on. But I wanted to use as many players as possible, to see as many as possible.
BIGGER PICTURE
"(I am) not so worried about the result, it's more the bigger picture. I want three or four to emerge from this squad.
"I will continue watching the JPL and other players may catch my eye. I want players who will improve this squad as we go forward into the World Cup, and this exercise that we've just had will help that," he stated.
