BY RICHARD BRYAN, Freelance Writer
Wendell Downswell - IAN ALLEN
NATIONAL SENIOR COACH Wendell Downswell has issued an SOS call for genuine right-sided wingbacks to fit his national senior set-up.
According to Downswell, "That is one area, I have had difficulty filling at every level of the National team. I just can't be able to find players that can fill that role in a wholehearted way."
Downswell, an exciting winger throughout his heydays at STETHS, Premier team Reno, and his brief stint as a national player, made these comments as he watched, mostly unimpressed, the flank players of the second- tier national squad which played a Clarendon All-stars team at Jamalco on Sunday.
Fabian Davis who started in that position on Sunday, was for the most part unassertive, never seemed keen on attacking, while Rohan Reid, who had several sprightly runs offensively from that side in midfield, appeared unaware of the need to "run back" each time the national team was under attack.
"What I find is that if I get a player who can attack, he does not defend well and vice versa," Downswell said. A primary example, he cites, is Tyrone Sawyers, who he claims has good defensive qualities but is not able to capitalise on opportunities to create an attack from that position.
He insists he has no such problems on the left side, and even pointed to being impressed with Christopher Powell, who played in a left-wing back position for the Clarendon All-stars team.
But so concerned was Downswell in his lament at the absence of genuine right backs who can fit in the balance of attack or defence that he confided to THE STAR: "It looks like I have to stick with Omar Daley a little while," tangible evidence Daley, who is primarily a midfielder, will play right back in the upcoming two matches against Ghana and England.
One person who could solve that dilemma, in the national coach's mind, is Portmore player, Rudolph Austin.
"He is the perfect person for that role," quipped Downswell. Unfortunately, for him, Austin has played largely injured, and is yet to get back to full fitness whether for club and country.
Do
you have a problem? Is something bothering
you? Write to 
