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Stevens ready to give his all for Reggae Boyz
BY HOWARD WALKER Observer Senior Reporter walkerh@jamaicaobserver.com
Thursday, May 17, 2012
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AFTER having short stints in Russia and Vietnam, Reggae Boy Errol Stevens is back home, well focused on helping Jamaica qualify for their first World Cup Finals since 1998.
Stevens, who celebrated his 26th birthday on May 9, is back home after a fairly successful stint with Hanoi FC.
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"It was a very good season but unfortunately I am home right now but it's all about the national programme," Stevens told the Jamaica Observer before the team left for its training base at Braco Resorts in Trelawny on Tuesday.
"I was asked to return but due to certain circumstances with the clubs, I might be going back in November in pre-season, maybe with another team," revealed Stevens.
The powerful and skilful player, who made his international debut last September against Colombia, will be looking to cement his place in a squad bursting at the seams with talented players.
"I am more of a professional player now. I am more committed to the cause and there are a lot of improvement in different areas on the pitch and it will take time for the people to see it," he pointed out.
"I am confident in my ability and although there are a lot of players, as long as I put in the work I don't see why not," he added.
Stevens, a former student at Greater Portmore High School, who had a four-month stint with Russian club FC Khimki in 2009, was previously called to the national programme in 2007 under head coach Velibor 'Bora' Milutinovic.
The former Harbour View, Tivoli Gardens, Portmore United and Arnett Gardens player packs a powerful shot and could be a secret weapon for Theodore Whitmore's team.
"My favourite position is mainly behind the strikers, but due to my capabilities, I will play anywhere the coach and the team need me," said Stevens.
Stevens is apart of the Jamaican squad that will play Guyana in an International Friendly at Montego Bay Sports Complex tomorrow.
With the influx of overseas-based players now available for selection, Stevens will have to be at his best to impress coach Whitmore, if he is to be a permanent fixture on 'Road to Rio' campaign.
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Wearing Whitmore's number a dream - Stevens Published: Monday | May 21, 2012 0 Comments Stevens
Stevens
Ryon Jones, Staff Reporter
The Reggae Boyz number 11 shirt appears to be in good hands, as its new owner, Errol Stevens, continues to impress at each opportunity.
Stevens proved a game changer in the team's 1-0 win over Guyana at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on Friday evening, as the second-half substitute was responsible for creating the game's lone goal, which was scored by debutant Jeremie Lynch in the 62nd minute.
Aside from his part in the goal, Stevens tormented the Golden Jaguars on the right side of the park, as they found it difficult to contain him to the point where his shirt was torn and had to be replaced.
A great honour
The Reggae Boyz number 11 shirt was made famous by the team's current head coach Theodore 'Tappa' Whitmore, who ghosted past opposing players with consummate ease during his playing career. He, however, reached legendary status during the 1998 FIFA World Cup when he scored two goals to earn Jamaica its first victory at the tournament; a 2-1 victory over Japan.
"It's like a dream come true, even to wear the number 11," Stevens shared immediately following the game. "I remember marking the number 11 on my shirt with Whitmore in the back, so it is like a dream come true to be wearing it and playing for the country," he added while pointing out how honoured he feels to have Whitmore as his coach.
"It is a great motivation; I hope he knows the respect that I have for him, but at the same time it has to be kept professional, so I try to just stick to the work and do the job."
Stevens, who made his debut for Jamaica in the 2-0 loss to Colombia on September 6, 2011, was pleased with his performance in Friday's game, as he aims to thrill local fans.
Giving his best
"I just have to thank God for the performance. I think more than anything it is the hunger inside of me that just wants to come outside and with the environment and the spectators and the people who came out to support Jamaica, I could only do my best," the 26-year-old shared.
The former Greater Portmore High School student is hoping that based on his showing he will make the final squad, which Whitmore plans on naming today, for the next stage of World Cup qualifying, which commences on June 8 when Guatemala visits the National Stadium.
Stevens has played for local clubs, Harbour View, Tivoli Gardens, Portmore United and Arnett Gardens, as well as, Russian Premier League side FC Khimki and most recently Vietnamese outfit Hanoi FC.
"I am a free agent at the moment, as right now it is mainly about the national programme and to give the best to my country."
I am curious to the reasoning behind switching Senior with Stevens, is there some similarities with these two ballas? Are they playing the same roll? What is this roll really...questions...
_________________________ Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence
This yute never play with King yet...people talk about chemistry, he was able to look at King and read his gesticulations, giving King a through ball to goal, and creating a shot for himself to goal...in the little time he was on the field.
He was able to take the ball from the defense, turn his defender and start an attack, he was able to take the ball from Phillips on 2 occasions both ending in an attacking move. He is a brucky boo like most JAMAICAN ballers, but has the pace and the awareness to track back and tackle...did that twice in the game.
Guyana:
He totally changed the urgency of the Jamaican team, he created 5 chances in the time he was on the field and one scored. He hounded defenders from high, and he seemed extremely comfortable on the ball and aware of his surroundings.
YET: Errol Stevens is not on the list to go to Panama, an explanation is necessary! Errol Stevens is not being given the opportunity to play that creative midfield roll, the roll he worships, since he is such an avid fan of whitmore, being so proud to wear the number 11.
Can anybody tell me why this yute is being shafted up the arse?
_________________________ Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence
Just spoke 2 team management...All I getting so far is coaches decision...My rebuttal is coaches lack the requisite brain power to name a completely sensible squad.
Stevens off the bench is a very good ammunition to have..Someone that can come in and chnage the game for you...I don't know what the coaching staff is thinking but when you have a team that is doing so bad creating goals you need tht spark in Stevens. Grandsion, Senir, Reid are all backups to Steel in the middle while you have no backup for creativity
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Blessed all CC massive zeen
Dis yute would suck up a contract so fast over dada and senior, his professionalism, athleticism, hard work, vision, not to mention his ability to beat defenders would make him an asset in any midfield. The fact that he knows if he loses it he has to chase back and regain it is enough for me...forget his over zealousness on the ball, he has one aim, to put the ball on the forwards foot or create himself an opportunity...that is the definition of an attacking midfielder...we are obviously playing with one...why isn't he starting the game for trial and to atleast put fire under dada so he learns what is needed of him.
_________________________ Truly great madness cannot be achieved without significant intelligence
Dis yute would suck up a contract so fast over dada and senior, his professionalism, athleticism, hard work, vision, not to mention his ability to beat defenders would make him an asset in any midfield. The fact that he knows if he loses it he has to chase back and regain it is enough for me...forget his over zealousness on the ball, he has one aim, to put the ball on the forwards foot or create himself an opportunity...that is the definition of an attacking midfielder...we are obviously playing with one...why isn't he starting the game for trial and to atleast put fire under dada so he learns what is needed of him.
Could not agree with you more. Was really excited about WCQ but Tappa and JFF killing ma vibes even before things start.
It can only be that they think they have Stevens' qualities in other players. They obviously feel that senior has qualities that they need. Don't know what those are. I guess with all the midfield talent they think they have many people who can mimic and even better Stevens' style of play. I don't agree.
I like a squad with utility ballers: JT :right back; left back; center half; defensive midfielder Omar Daley: right back; right midfield; left midfield; (dire emergency) holding midfielder Errol Stevens: top link (playmaker); wide midfielder
Injuries, cards and loss of firm will give him another chance. Just not this time around.
Only thing i can say is that maybe tappa done make up his mind about him and have him name down for world cup qualifiers.....atleast a hope so. I am hoping the same for N. Smith.
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Originally Posted By: Plush
Stevens off the bench is a very good ammunition to have..Someone that can come in and chnage the game for you...I don't know what the coaching staff is thinking but when you have a team that is doing so bad creating goals you need tht spark in Stevens. Grandsion, Senir, Reid are all backups to Steel in the middle while you have no backup for creativity
"Butter (Grandison) is only 19 years old, but I think he plays with a lot of maturity. At the beginning of the game he was a little nervous, but after 20 minutes he settled down and gave a good game in the middle.
"But we have said that the (lack of) creativeness was because of the characters of our players which is mainly velocity and speed. Most of those players in their clubs... work a lot with speed," he said.
"We have players who did very well in the game... but we really need to work on that creativeness in the middle of the field so that we can give more opportunities to our players in front," he added.
...I think Errol can be a very important player in the squad because of his versatility and the attacking spark he can introduce-like he's done the last few times he came off the bench.
Look at the size and tenacity of dis yute...how can dada be getting game over him? how is it possible that Senior is getting game over him?
Is this a ploy to save him for WCQ...wah kinda...cho!
trust mi iya. Mi feel it fi d yute. A d most bias decision I think I av seen. Why the coaches givin playing trials fah wen dem heart set pon certain players a ready. A so JFF av money to waste. There is no way that Dada and Senior should be goin over dis yute. Him and phillips change the game in the second half. D yute got his opportunity and made the most of it. Yet him get shafted.
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FORMER President - F.A.A.B.A.C.B(Fans Association Against the Baseless Attack on Captain Burrel)
