LeVaughn Flynn, Staff Reporter
Jamaica defender Claude Davis (centre) participates in a Reggae Boyz training session with teammates Ricardo Fuller (left) and Jermaine Johnson at the UWI Mona Bowl yesterday. Jamaica are preparing for their two crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Mexico and Honduras on Saturday and Wednesday respectively . - photo by LeVaughn Flynn
With all the odds stacked against them, the best move from here for the Reggae Boyz might just be using all the doubt, criticism and the element of impossibility to inspire them.
That's the philosophy recalled Reggae Boy Claude Davis is embracing as Jamaica prepare for two must-win games against Mexico and Honduras at the National Stadium on Saturday and Wednesday, respectively, in the World Cup qualifiers.
"The critics are always gonna be there and we need them sometimes. We need people to hate so we can use the hate to generate energy," said the central defender just before a national training session at the UWI Mona Bowl yesterday. "So sometimes you have to say thanks to them."
Value in criticism
With personal experience in defying the odds, Davis added that there is value in criticism and that the team will be looking to use it to its advantage in their upcoming games.
"That's just the mentality of some Jamaicans, they think negative and are always ready to kill you before you start playing," he said. "But if I listened to the critics, I wouldn't be where I am right now. I'm probably one of the most expensive players in the country and this is the same player a couple years ago who they said wasn't good. So critics motivate you. You just have to know how to use the negativity and turn it into a positive."
Davis, whose playing time at his English Championships club, Derby, has been limited due to rehabilitation from a knee injury, pointed out he received clearance from his surgeon three weeks ago and is close to 100 per cent fitness.
Jamaica, at the bottom of the group with one point, face a mammoth task of filling one of two qualifying spots to the final round. Currently Mexico (nine) and Honduras (six) are favoured to advance based on their position. Canada, the fourth team in the group, are also on one point but they have a superior goal difference to Jamaica.
Davis was one of nine overseas-based players who arrived in the island between Sunday and Monday that attended yesterday's session. The others were Omar Daley, Dane Richards, Jermaine Johnson, Ricardo Fuller, Ricardo Gardner, Shavar Thomas, Demar Phillips and Damion Stewart. Local based goalkeepers Duwayne Kerr and Donovan Ricketts also participated.
Davis, Johnson, Daley, Stewart and Richards were not selected for any of the games in the first leg of the qualifiers. Stewart, who last played for Jamaica against Costa Rica in February, said he always anticipated a recall to the squad. Now, the Queen's Park Rangers defender said his focus is getting on to the pitch and getting Jamaica to the final round of qualifiers.
Getting a good start
"No matter what I never count myself out of the programme," Stewart stated. "I always thought that no matter what I'm going to get back in and that's one of the things that motivate me to work even harder at my club and try to get a good start, which I've had so far."
Ten other overseas-based players are set to join the training camp which will run until Thursday. Tyrone Marshall and Omar Cummings were due in last night. Jamal Campbell-Ryce, who missed his flight yesterday, will arrive today along with Oneil Thompson, Demar Stewart, Luton Shelton, Rudolph Austin and Ian Goodison.
Marlon King, who was originally scheduled to arrive yesterday, remained in England to treat a back injury and is expected on Thursday, along with Wolry Wolfe who plays in Trinidad and Tobago.
