Ryon Jones, STAR Writer

Jamaica's string of four consecutive losses has raised concern among local diehard football fans, but president of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Captain Horace Burrell, is not one such as he believes the team's performance has to be looked at in context.

"When you look at the teams we have played, we are not playing against the usual teams which are below our strength," Burrell said while speaking at the press conference to announce six additional sponsors for the National Premier League yesterday, at the JFF head office.

"We are playing teams with pedigree, we are playing stronger teams than ourselves in most case and it is not that we have been outdone; we have been competitive and also I think this is the right thing to do at this time," he added.

The 43rd-ranked Reggae Boyz four losses - all in away matches - have come at the hands of 28th-ranked United States of America (2-0), 69th-ranked China (1-0), 66th-ranked Ecuador (5-2) and 35th-ranked Columbia (2-0).

Burrell is of the view that even if we were to lose some ground in the FIFA standings, it will be well worth it if we achieve qualification for the 2014 World Cup to be staged in Brazil.

not ready

He further believes that the international games have afforded the coaching staff the opportunity to identify players who are not ready for this level of football, before the Reggae Boyz get engaged in their first set of qualifiers in June next year.

"There are some players, and this is just my own observation, who are finding it difficult to make the transition to the higher level and by virtue of playing these games against stronger opponents we are able to see them before we get into competition," Burrell pointed out. "By the time it comes to qualifiers we will be able to have a blend; the coaches will be able to know who the players are that are able to step up a notch or two when it is necessary," he added.

Burrell also used the opportunity to encourage more sponsors to support the Premier League and football in general.

"Once the clubs are supported it makes a huge difference, as the structure will be in place and so it will make for a better league," Burrell declared.

"If we have a well run league, chances are our national programme will also improve significantly, especially where our local-based players are concerned," he added.

The six additional sponsors unveiled yesterday for this season's Premier League were Wisynco, through their Wata and Powerade brands, NewsTalk, Fruita, KLAS FM, CNS and the Jamaica Observer.