Reggae Boyz coach sees similarities with Simoes’ 98 team

REGGAE BOYZ boss Steve McClaren said having met former head coach Rene Simoes, he believes his style of play is very similar to that deployed by the Brazilian during the team's successful 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Simoes visited the Reggae Boyz camp ahead of their second-leg Concacaf Gold Cup preliminary tie against St Vincent and the Grenadines, which is set to kick off at 7 p.m. today at Sabina Park.

During the visit, the two coaches spoke extensively on their football philosophies leaving McClaren with the realisation they both favour possession-based football.

McClaren pointed to Jamaica's recent 1-1 draw against St Vincent where the team came away with 75 per cent of the possession, but rued missed opportunities.

"I was talking to Rene last night and we were talking about the style of football and what he did in 1998, and he talked about keeping the ball and the possession of the ball," said McClaren.

"The principles are the same, so in terms of possession, St Vincent defended deep so we had a lot of possession."

He explained that it will take some time before the team completely understands his style.

"I think what it is that we've started, I wouldn't say a new style, but it is my way of playing and they have to get used to that," he stated.

"When they go away to their clubs and they come back, we have one or two days in which to recreate certain patterns in terms of build-up, in terms of pressing, and sometimes that takes a while to synergise.

"We've yet to do that. Sometimes it's a little clunky and sometimes we have it so we can show the team 'that's it, that's great play'."

The winner of the two-legged tie will advance to the group stages of the Concacaf Gold Cup set to begin in June.

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com