AS the clock winds down to the start of the CONCACAF final-round World Cup Qualifying playoffs on February 6, the Reggae Boyz have precious little time to get their house in order before facing regional kingpins Mexico in an away game.

In the aftermath of the much-publicised sacking of two members of the coaching staff, technical director Walter Gama and goalkeeper coach Armando Bracali, whom the JFF’s Technical Development Committee deemed demonstrated “a lack of proactive technical leadership” at the CFU Caribbean Cup in Antigua, the local governing body has at least given the impression it has finally awakened from its slumber and is playing its part in helping the country qualify for its second senior FIFA WC Final.

Given equal mileage, however, is the perception it was a case of much ado about nothing as the sacked duo was reportedly probably on its way out anyway, and was, therefore, mere scapegoats subsequent to the Cup fiasco in December.

After all, where else does one witness peripheral members of staff at a tournament being dismissed after a dismal performance, while the head coach gets to keep his job?

With a measly three weeks before the first kick-off, the Reggae Boyz will presumably bank on the experience and professionalism of their overseas-based players, including their new recruits, to get them off to a fair start, if ever that were possible with the present crop of local players, and with not much time to galvanise invitees into anything resembling a competitive outfit.

By now, football watchers would be united in the knowledge that unlike the build-up to the 1998 campaign, the core of the players will not be local-based. As such, the Boyz will have to hit the ground running when they assemble, which calls for a professional approach by both players and coaching staff who have little time to entertain anything but a single-minded focus.

In fact, to avoid embarrassment in the perennially packed and intimidating Azteca environment, the Jamaicans will be well advised to adopt a ‘safety first’ approach in light of the fact that with the final squad expected to draw heavily on the seven or eight new foreign-based recruits, it could be a dishevelled aggregation grappling with a variety of playing styles and philosophies — within a short time frame — which is a recipe for disaster.

This means playing a compact and counter-attacking game centred on midfield without being ultra-defensive, as in the semi-final round return match against the United States when the Boyz were pinned against the ropes and peppered for inordinately long periods. Indeed, they could have easily been five goals down before half-time.

Consistent with the philosophy that the opponents cannot score if they don’t have the ball, the Boyz will be further be advised to shore up their possession and passing game for this encounter. This is another way of taking away the game from the spectators.

But how can the Jamaican players achieve this feat? It’s a case of being confident on the ball and exercising an impeccable first touch, thus minimising the risk of losing the ball and having to chase on a large field and in high altitude as well.

But as we all know, the first touch has been the abiding bane of the Jamaican-born players who, influenced by poor playing surfaces from the outset, have cultivated poor ball control and find it difficult to adjust, even when playing on international standard pitches. As such, some will start behind the proverbial eighth ball and must significantly lift their games.

Another crucial component in this strategy is providing passing options to teammates, which is where committed off-the-ball running comes into play. For too long, successive Jamaican outfits have performed poorly in this regard, with Jermaine Taylor, followed by Jevaughn Watson and Jason Morrison, being so culpable in the last series.

However, things will certainly get better following the Mexican baptism in which the Jamaicans will have to sink or swim, with the players expected to become more familiar with each other’s strengths, weaknesses and idiosyncracies, which will augur well for the remainder of the 10-match series.

Of key interest as we gear for the announcement of the training squad for the upcoming game are, which of the seven English- and/or one German-based players (who recently accessed their Jamaican passports) will be summoned by coach Theodore Whitmore? As it stands, despite the fact that all facets need bolstering, the forward line seems most needy of quality, experienced players at a time when scoring goals seems an onerous undertaking.

With the experienced and wily Marlon King retired from the international game, and young hope Raheem Sterling being summoned to the England national setup, if we’re not careful, it could be a case of ‘as you were’ with those we paraded in the last WCQ series and, to a lesser extent, the Caribbean Cup.

The technical staff, therefore, prepares to asemble a local-based squad for training while the nation awaits the final composition for the Mexico match. The selectors will hopefully gradually infuse the newcomers into the squad as a sudden influx will only disrupt team unity.