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THE EDITOR: This is an open letter to national coach, Mr Bertille St Clair.

Dear Mr St Clair, I am sure that you cannot be pleased with the performance of the national team in the game against St Vincent. It was not good although a victory is a victory. However the team has to improve a lot to qualify for the World Cup in Germany. We can blame the players for their poor attitude and make excuses, but you also have to check yourself and see if you need to change the way you are doing the job.

I have not seen all the games but I have watched a few training sessions. It seems that you keep doing the same things over and over and therefore the team keeps making the same mistakes over and over. I believe you can still take us to Germany but you have to change your approach and the first change is to stop doing everything yourself.

All the top coaches in the world have people around them who assist in training sessions, who scout the opposition and who give good technical and tactical advice. Do you think that Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger conduct all the training sessions? I was happy when you brought in Graham Taylor and now you have added Alvin Corneal and David Nakhid. That is great and it shows that you know what has to be done but it would make no sense if you do not listen to these people and let them assist you.

No man is an island and the World Cup is too big for one man alone to be doing everything. We all know that there must be someone in charge and that has to be you because in the end it is your neck that is on the line. But you would be cutting your own throat if you do not use the good, knowledgeable people around you. Do not let your ego destroy as it has destroyed so many other coaches.

You will remember the story of a coach who came back from the US and travelled to Forest Reserve to advise us about the US team before the November 19 clash. He was chased away and we lost 1-0. So talk to your coaches, listen to their advice and then decide for yourself. Once you do this, I am sure that we will get to Germany.

A TRUE SUPPORTER

Barataria