JEROME Waite is the coach who is responsible for Arnett Gardens’ last two premiership titles, won over a decade ago.

But the way he has them playing this season not many are willing to bet against them being there, or just about there, when the Red Stripe Premier League ends in May, especially since a semi-final and a final are involved — the same scenario that confronted Waite when he led the ‘Junglists’ to back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002.

Yes, they were thrashed in their last outing, losing 4-1 to Sporting Central Academy, but those who were present at Juici Patties Park would have left with the impression that that defeat was more of a blip than a crisis that will suddenly cause them to capsize.

That belief was reinforced not only by the fact that they were losing for the first time in over a month, but also because Arnett just cannot play any worse than they did on Sunday. As Waite put it in his post-game interview, “It was like a day off for us.”

Perhaps it was just an off day. They let in three goals (Gregory Lewis, Huggarth Nugent and Renoir Elliot) in an eventful first half, in which they also missed a penalty (Newton Sterling), and could have conceded far more than the one (Francois Swaby) in the second.

But if Waite and the large band of Arnett Gardens supporters who turned up in south west Clarendon didn’t seem too worried by this performance, it’s because they are still in a position of comfort.

They are three points clear in fourth place — which at the end, would put them in semi-final — with a healthy goal difference and have an almost immediate chance in midweek, against cellar team August Town, to atone for a first defeat in five games.

In the other four games, Arnett were impressive, winning them all to create, for the first time this season, a sizeable gap between the top four and the chasing pack.

That Arnett are even being considered as title contenders at this stage is noteworthy, for when Waite returned to the South St Andrew club in October — following Calvin Lewis’ resignation — they were sitting just above the relegation zone, having amassed five points from five games.

Initially, Waite struggled to steady the ship before putting together a string of impressive results at the turn of the year to move Arnett within seven points of league leaders Harbour View.

“Hard work and discipline,” were the only words Waite uttered when asked what was responsible for the turnaround — attributes that he noted were missing against Sporting. “Sporting came out with a purpose,” he said. “We never looked the same.

It was like a day off for us, so we have to give credit to them (as) they captitalised on our errors.” While youngsters Kemal Malcolm and Fabian Reid are a visible part of the team’s surge up the league table, veterans Kevin Wilson and Cornel Chinsue, members of the club’s backto- back title success, are also playing their part in the revival.

Unlike Wilson, who scored Arnett’s consolation, Chin-sue was an unused substitute in Sunday’s game, but the impression being given is that both players’ contribution to the team is worth much more than game time. “It’s not about bringing back players,” reasoned Waite.

“They are professionals who kept themselves healthy and are working hard in training. They bring experience; they are helping to (groom) the younger players and I think if we continue on the same (path) we will be successful.”Harbour View.

“Hard work and discipline,” were the only words Waite uttered when asked what was responsible for the turnaround — attributes that he noted were missing against Sporting.

“Sporting came out with a purpose,” he said. “We never looked the same. It was like a day off for us, so we have to give credit to them (as) they captitalised on our errors.”

While youngsters Kemal Malcolm and Fabian Reid are a visible part of the team’s surge up the league table, veterans Kevin Wilson and Cornel Chinsue, members of the club’s backto- back title success, are also playing their part in the revival.

Unlike Wilson, who scored Arnett’s consolation, Chin-sue was an unused substitute in Sunday’s game, but the impression being given is that both players’ contribution to the team is worth much more than game time.

“It’s not about bringing back players,” reasoned Waite. “They are professionals who kept themselves healthy and are working hard in training. They bring experience; they are helping to (groom) the younger players and I think if we continue on the same (path) we will be successful.”