THE Reggae Boyz are fine-tuning under rather fortunate circumstances, fiddling with new players and formation ahead of upcoming World Cup qualifying matches on Sunday and next Wednesday against The Bahamas.

Due to the low FIFA ranking (167th) and standard of their opponents, the Boyz have been afforded a certain amount of luxury to prepare as they search for the right combination to first, clear the first hurdle, then deal with more serious obstacles down the road .

Though the saying wisely advises 'never count your chickens before they're hatched' - as proven in Olympic qualifiers last year when they shockingly eliminated Jamaica 1-0 in Haiti - one can't help looking past The Bahamian fixtures as they have no record of success or reckoning in regional football.

Between 1989 and '98 they failed to advance to the group stage of the Caribbean Cup competition, in 1995 and 2005, they were eliminated in group play and last year they got as far as the second round. Additionally, they drew matches 1-1 and 2-2 against The British Virgin Islands in late March.

Senior ballers

As far as World Cup qualifying goes Bahamas' senior ballers, called the 'Rake n' Scrape Boyz' or 'Baha Boyz', were eliminated in the first stage of the 2006 qualifiers when they tied, then lost to Dominica. If they had advanced, their opponents would have been Mexico, the team which subjected them to their worst defeat, 13-0 in 1987.

The fixtures have also become more advantageous because both legs are to be played here, as FIFA deemed venues in that country unfit for World Cup qualifying competition.

Over the last two weeks, the Boyz have intensified their tune-up with a training camp at Braco and three matches in one week. During this period, technical director and head coach Rene Simoes had looked at almost 30 players, some in several positions, and he has also made use of the opportunity to change the 4-4-2 formation for the interchangeable 3-5-2/5-3-2, that is expected to lend greater assurance, stability and flexibility to the team in attacking and defensive aspects.

Such alterations are sure to prove beneficial in the expected scheme of qualification to impending tough clashes down the line against Canada, Mexico and Honduras who, like Jamaica, should cruise through this second round CONCACAF series.

A sweeper will offer more coverage at the back, as opposed to the flat back four in which Jamaica have struggled to find a workable central duo with a level of cohesion to deny the clear runs to goal as happened on Trinidad and Tobago's first goal in their 2-2 draw with the Boyz at the National Stadium on March 26.

Simon Ford, one of the new recruits - from Scottish team Kilmarnock - filled that role fairly comfortably in the St Vincent and the Grenadines game and based on the fact that he has been used in that position up to yesterday, the last practice match, he appears to be Simoes' choice for the position.

There is another competent sweeper, Shavar Thomas, who missed several Major League Soccer games for his club Chivas USA, through injury, and is now just back on the bench. He was selected to the Jamaica squad in Simoes' first game upon his return this year, against Costa Rica, but was not used. That match ended 1-1.

Preferred choice

A bigger search, though, is on for a central midfielder. Omar Daley played in that role yesterday and Oneil Thompson looks to have played himself out of the role with a back-pass that led to the first goal against Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday in the 1-1 draw.

In the previous 4-4-2 formation Rudolph Austin operated well, but in the new scheme of things, he does not seem to be the preferred choice in the central area. He has been funnelled into the flank position where his capabilities for attacking and defending are still being utilised.

Tyrone Marshall, whom I consider to be the best player in the team, has been used just about everywhere, but his all-round ability, knowledge and understanding of the game makes him the perfect choice.

Fortunately, the Boyz are playing The Bahamas now. There's a bit more time to fiddle as they fine-tune.