Western Bureau:

I was not at the National Stadium, in Kingston, on Sunday for the important friendly football match between Jamaica's Reggae Boyz and their Panamanian counterparts, so I basically did the next best thing, which was to watch the game on television.

Like most of the local fans I have spoken to since the game, I believe the performance fell way below expectations, especially in regards to organisation and structure. However, I am not about to press the panic button because, as far as I am concerned, the poor performance was due primarily to the personnel used.

I can understand the reason for some of the criticism being levelled at coach Theodore "Tappa" Whitmore, especially since the 2014 World Cup campaign is now looming on the horizon. I totally agree that we should now be fine-tuning our preparations, not experimenting with new players.

What I am having a problem with is the attitude of some of our so-called local football experts, who are seemingly trying to spark a "Tappa Bashing Campaign". The truth is, while the team did not play up to expectations, those who are honest would have no problem admitting that with a little bit more luck Jamaica could well have won the game.

For me, the most disappointing thing emanating from the Panama game is the sad realisation that there are several persons, some who have coached in the national programme, who are seemingly so paranoid with the fact that Whitmore is the national coach that instead of constructive criticism, all they seem capable of doing is trying to tear him down.

I am not for a moment suggesting that Whitmore is the best coach in the world, or even in Jamaica for that matter. However, in terms of his record since he took the job as national coach, his resume is far more impressive than some of those who are convinced that they are the best thing since the proverbial slice bread.

I could not conclude this column without expressing my disappointment with the posturing of former national coach Carl Brown, who, by his recent utterances, seems to be trying to bully his way back into the national set-up. While I have respect for Brown's patriotism, I believe he is allowing sections of the media to get him to act out of character.

I just wish to remind coach Brown that in the 2004 World Cup campaign he was in the same position that Whitmore now holds and despite doing reasonably well, for reasons he is still yet to explain, he surrendered the job to the Brazilian Sebastiao Lazaroni, who promptly squandered the good foundation he (Brown) had built and possibly cost us a place in the World Cup.

Looking forward to the upcoming 2014 qualifying campaign, I believe we need to give the coach a break and allow him to do the job he was entrusted with. For his part.

Whitmore must not allow himself to become flustered because, as he showed as a player, he knows what it is to be successful.