Head coach of Jamaica Premier League (JPL) leaders Montego Bay United (MBU), Xavier Gilbert, says the club will be looking to strengthen its defence in this month’s transfer window.
Montego Bay United sit atop the JPL table with 29 points from 15 matches. The western outfit has recorded a league-leading nine wins, along with two draws and four defeats. However, despite their strong results, MBU have conceded 19 goals, the most of the top six teams to date.
Gilbert says squad reinforcement is necessary as the league enters a demanding phase.
“Yes, we want to strengthen the entire squad for sure, but the main objective is to stay atop the league,” Gilbert said.
“It is going to be a difficult period, we have lots of games, and we need squad rotation, and hence we think that we need some additional personnel to fix some of the issues that we think we are having,” Gilbert said.
Gilbert admitted that defensive improvements are at the top of his priorities.
“I think that defence will be our main focus. We are happy to be back on top of the league, and we want to keep it that way, but we haven’t had the best form of late. Now we are settled, and we anticipate that we will get better,” he said.
“I think we just need to continue to win, continue to get positive results, and don’t let the people that are beneath you get the better of you when you play them,” Gilbert added.
Montego Bay United have also had to adjust to playing their home matches away from their traditional base after Catherine Hall Stadium was damaged by the passage of Hurricane Melissa on October 28. As a result, the club has been playing home games at Jarrett Park.
Since the resumption of the league last month, MBU have lost their only two home matches at Jarrett Park, a stark contrast to their early-season form at Catherine Hall, where they had a perfect record.
Gilbert pointed out that the temporary relocation has had an impact on the team because they have lost both games at Jarrett Park this season.
“For sure, because we had a 100 per cent win record there at Catherine Hall, and we have two home games at Jarrett Park, and we have lost both of them, so it definitely has affected us,” he said.
Robert Bailey
