Murray

With the two Clarendon-based teams - Sporting Central and Humble Lions - stuck in the dreaded bottom three after 11 games in the first round, the secret is out that they will be the target of other teams in slightly better position, whose season will most likely revolve around staving off relegation.

Both teams will be out of action in Sunday's scheduled start of the league for different reasons but so are the current moods despite similarly dire positions. Sporting Central Academy's owner/manager Brandon Murray appear unfazed, while Mike Henry, the chief spender for the Effortville-based new-comers Humble Lions, has already lost tolerance and has issued an ultimatum.

"As far as Sporting Central is concerned, there is no need for anything dramatic," Murray told The Gleaner.

The job of coach Donavon Duckie is safe, while Brandon Murray has expressed faith that the young team is talented enough to pull themselves out of a rut which saw them dive from second place to 10th after five games. An incredible slump which saw a five-match losing streak started after posting a 1-1 draw against eventual end-of-round champions Tivoli Gardens, in the top-of-the-table clash at that point in the league.

"We are glad that we were able to stop the losing streak against a good Rivoli team that had just beaten Portmore and came back to draw 3-3 with Tivoli, so we still believe we have the quality and we know we can regain the ascendancy with a couple of games."

disappointment

Murray also expressed disappointment with not being able to play Harbour View as scheduled, after that team asked for a postponement due to four of its players being on assignment with the Reggae Boyz. Sporting had gained their first point of the season in an away 1-1 draw against Harbour View, who are now in third place.

Meanwhile, Henry's tone is completely different, with the politician making no bones about how he felt concerning the way forward for a team that has only managed to garner seven points.

"I have issued my warnings to the team that this is a professional league and not a community one. They have to prove to me in the next three games that they are serious or I will invoke the necessary actions that pertain to the operations," a fierce-sounding Henry told remarked.

He hinted of greater guidelines for the coach, and he accused the team of being too amateurish and lacking in focus after showing promise, gaining five points in their first five games.

"Up to the last few games, I thought they were in a position that was acceptable but they have thrown away too many points from games they could have won or drawn. I have seen a lack of focus and the coach has to look at how he can get them to learn quickly what is needed to be done to improve."

Coach Chris Bender appears under pressure too, and while he disclosed that he had not received any ultimatum, admitted that his own role was the focus of stern reflection by the management team chaired by Henry.

"There was a review of all the players, plus the coach. But they understand that you can't make omelettes if you don't have eggs," Bender said.

Still, Henry remains confident that the ultimate goal of staying in the league will be achieved.

"I have made it clear I am looking for players and the team knows that. I am expecting them not to lose the next three games and I am sure we can hold on in the long run."

Jubilant Humble Lions spectators embrace Minister of Transport and Works Mike Henry (centre) seconds after qualifying for the Digicel Premier League earlier this year. - File