GORDON WILLIAMS, STAR Writer

If Theodore Whitmore is worried about job security as national Under-20 coach, after Jamaica's stumble to a single point from possibley six in its first two games of the 2015 CONCACAF Championship, he isn't showing it.

"No," Whitmore responded Monday to questions about mounting public frustration over his team's performances a day after Jamaica's 1-0 loss to Guatemala and two ahead of a 'must win' clash with Group A leaders Panama (six points) today. "It's more disappointment than pressure."

What looks like slow-burning disaster to many local football fans is, according to Whitmore, a continuing test the young Reggae Boyz must pass. At stake is qualification for this year's World Cup. But Jamaica, playing at home, are third from bottom in the six-team group - goal difference in front of United States and pointless Aruba. In the opening game 2-2 draw with Trinidad and Tobago, the Boyz started badly, fell behind early and were "lucky," Whitmore admitted, the visitors finished poorly.

"We could have lost the Trinidad game," he said, underlining his squad had been assembled on short notice and secured only five practice games - three during a Venezuela tournament, the others and at home against Cuba.

Jamaica has struggled early in both CONCACAF Championship games.

"I think it was more nerves for some of the players," said Whitmore, who admitted the current squad "... may not necessarily be the best under 20 players in Jamaica.

"The second game against Guatemala was different," he said, pointing to Jamaica's composure and stepped up pressure late after another sluggish start. "I don't think we deserved to lose."

He must now win minus senior national striker Michael Seaton, ruled out with a damaged knee ligament. There are injury concerns over three other starters - Jevaun Waugh (thigh), Junior Flemmings (ankle) and Roberto Johnson (ankle).

But Whitmore believes Jamaica is poised for the remainder of the tournament. The finish against Guatemala, sparked by the introduction of substitute midfielders John Luca Levee and Martin Davis, both unused against T&T, injected hope.

"As long as the game went on," he said, "they grew in confidence."

However, the use of 17 players - most by any team in the group over two games - signals disrupted continuity in a tournament where Jamaica should have long been settled. Whitmore dismissed that impression too.

"We can't be feeling that," he said. "Injury has had a major part to play."

The coach said he wanted to use multiple player combinations anyway, with Jamaica possibly engaged in six games over roughly two weeks.

"Rotating players was part of the plan," said Whitmore. "It's not like we're changing a whole lot. Our preparation is sort of mental. We didn't spend a lot of time together. We haven't spent two months together."

What's not by design is dropping points to Panama, the most impressive Group A team so far. US and Aruba also await. It's time, the coach believes, for now battle hardened Boyz to step up.