INEFFECTIVE tactics, insufficient preparation and a faulty recruitment system are high on the list of the Reggae Boyz’ shortcomings, according to Sporting Central Academy head coach Lenworth Hyde.

Friday night’s 1-2 defeat to the United States at the National Stadium, left the Jamaicans — precariously tucked into last place on two points — trailing further behind the other five teams in the CONCACAF World Cup qualifiying final phase.

The loss meant a second straight disappointing result for the Theodore Whitmore-coached team, who went down to Mexico three days earlier, and leaves the Brazil 2014 campaign gasping for air much like an out-matched boxer suffering from critical body blows.

Hyde threw fierce verbal punches of his own when he spoke to the Jamaica Observer moments after the USA encounter.

“I don’t know what the coach is telling the players, but, tactically, for both games we made a lot of mistakes,” he lamented.

He noted Jamaica’s continued concession of goals from moves stemming on the flanks and criticised the technical staff for using O’brian Woodbine in an unnatural left-back position as replacement for the injured Demar Phillips.

According to Hyde, a better option would have been former Portmore United left-back Andre Campbell, who now plies his trade in Europe.

“The defensive unit is not right and we (are) giving up too many goals.

“Look at this game tonight, it’s (the USA opener came from) a square from the flank where we should have two persons tackling, but we leave him (the opposing attacker) with one player (Woodbine) who isn’t fit… (and) he’s not a left-back.

“Why we can’t find a national team with left-footed players? What happen to Andre Campbell, who plays left-back?

“Phillips is out but we are supposed to have a left-back to fill in. We can’t take a right-back and put at left-back.”

“Everytime the ball comes to our left, instead of looking up the field he always goes back in and switch to his right foot and closes the game so we don’t have that width,” he said.

Hyde also had a problem with the combination of Rodolph Austin and Marvin Elliott in central midfield roles and with the use of a 4-5-1 formation.

He argued that while the pair deter penetration down the middle, it means Jamaica give up too much room out wide and are consequently marauded in those areas.

“No team comes down our middle and score because we play with two central midfielders (but) they (the opponents) always choose to come down the flanks. We need to have people on the flank so we can double-team.”

“I prefer we start with a 3-4-3… I like that formation because when you do that you nullify their wing backs from coming to the attack. Most of the goals that score on us is from the flanks so if you have players over there working up and down the flanks you can prevent that,” Hyde argued.

His next aim was at Whitmore’s seeming hesitation to replace either deep-lying midfielder with a more offensive-minded player.

“I always want to know why we need goals and you still have on the two central midfielders. We are supposed to pull out one and put out an attacker. We don’t need two central midfiders and you have two points and you are home.

“I would have started three strikers out there. When we used to play that including the injured (Dane) Richards we used to get a whole heap of attacks,” while questioning the omission of strikers Luton Shelton and Jermaine ‘Tuffy’ Anderson from the squad.

He also felt the constantly menacing Jermaine ‘Teddy’ Johnson should have been used differently.

“We are taking too long to make changes. The coaching staff there and see… we don’t have a man from the bench who can come on and inject something. You should have left one of those on the bench and you don’t have to start Jermaine Johnson. Bring him on the last 25 (minutes) to run at this (defence) when they are tired.

“We have no trump card from the bench. But because people calling for Teddy, Teddy, Teddy you going to start him?” Hyde asked.

“The whole system nuh right and the whole preparation and the fitness of the players… I don’t see that. What does it say about our programme here?

“You (are) not supposed to have so many makeshift players, (but there is) the recruiting issue. We are not picking players for positions we want (to) fill. We just ‘willy-nilly’ pick up some man to play and I know you can’t win unless you prepare (properly),” Hyde concluded.