Ainsley Walters, Freelance Writer

I don't think it would be appropriate to comment, externally, on a soon-to-be-had internal decision. - Clyde Jureidini

AFTER THREE draws and a loss, the heat in Harbour View's kitchen has obviously started affecting coach Harold Thomas, who was given five games to prove his worth, following the axing of Lenny Hyde at the end of the third round.

When asked to comment on Harbour View earning just three points from four games, and how he believed that could affect his chances of retaining the head coach post, Thomas got extremely upset on Wednesday night and dismissed the queries as "foolishness".

"What kind of foolishness you're asking me," said Thomas. "Ask me about the game, you can't ask me about that," he insisted, flatly refusing to comment on his future with the outgoing champions.Thomas, who has a chequered Premier League résumé - having left coaching jobs mid-course at Waterhouse and Rivoli - was an assistant to Hyde before Harbour View promoted him to the top job. It was specifically stated his tenure would be tied to performance.

Dashed hopes

Seeking to improve on fourth in the standings, Harbour View saw their hopes dashed after playing to a 0-0 home draw against third-place Boys' Town, following a 2-0 away loss at second-place Tivoli Gardens.

Harbour View's general manager, Clyde Jureidini, who said in a previous interview that Thomas was being looked at as an option for the club's 2008-2009 programme, starting with its participation in the new CONCACAF Champions League, was tight-lipped about the coach's performance in four games.

"I don't think it would be appropriate to comment, externally, on a soon-to-be-had internal decision," Jureidini said.

"It would be unfair to any and everybody for me to comment at this time," he said.

Harbour View have fired two coaches since the start of the season, parting ways with assistant Max Straw before giving Hyde his marching orders.

Straw had the dubious distinction of being fired by two clubs in one season; leaving Harbour View to take up the top job at Arnett, where he was axed after a disastrous run which left the famed club in relegation peril.

Didn't last long

Upon his return to Harbour View as an assistant near the end of the second round this season, Straw didn't last long, sent packing due to what Jureidini described as his failure to have been the "stabilising force" he was the previous season when the east Kingston team lifted the title under Hyde.

Meanwhile, Boys' Town coach Andrew Price, whose team secured third spot, five points ahead of Harbour View, said his side did well after finishing ninth last season.

"The objective was not to lose third spot," Price said. "We did not come to defend but didn't come to lose either.

"Assessing the season, after finishing ninth last season, to finish third, ahead of the outgoing champions, I believe my team did well.

"With a little more luck, we could have challenged for the title," he said.