May 9th, 2004
Lynx Coach's comments after road trip to Richmond and Virginia Beach.
originally posted on Voyageurs message board.
Hello Fellas and good morning. just got back in town from Virginia beach overnight. I have no intention of joining your forum on a regular basis as I agree that this is a place for the supporters to discuss developments and exchange opinions. As this is media week for the lynx and also the home opener next up, I thought you may appreciate a little insight from me as to our start to the season. Firstly on behalf of the team I would like to thank those supporters that came to the Rochester game, even though we had a bad game it was very much appreciated by us all. As I am sure you will understand, our players are very tired today and obviously dissapointed (certainly with the last 2 results). I can assure you all, your Lynx players are giving 100%+ at both training and also in the games. As we are pretty much a new team this season I have been trying to get the whole squad involved early so that they all have a taste of the A league now as we rebuild. Shawn faria has been plauged with injury since pre season but is almost ready. We showed great character in Puerto Rico to win the game with 10 players. We gambled with 3 at the back in Rochester and gave away couple of very soft goals, although at 0-2 we had some good pressure and a couple of chances to get back in the match, although we did not deserve anything from that one . In Richmond we played with good pace and had easily more of the ball than they did. we did not defend well at all and again gave up 2 break away goals when there seemed no pressure. again we showed great fighting spirit, John barry scored an excellent goal from 20 yards and unfortunately Adrian missed from very close in to tie the game at around 70 minutes. Again we chaesd the game to tie it and Richmond caught us late with a simple breakaway again. Last night was by far our best performance as we outplayed the Mariners throughout the game. They had the ball in our penalty area 3 times only in the first half and scored 2 goals. Once again we where very nieave (spelling) at the back and gave ourselves another hole to climb out of. We tied at 1-1 from young Jamie (who has been playing very well indeed for a rookie player) but at the start of the second half we gave up another break away goal. Ali scored a rocket from outside the box and we were at them for the rest of the game. Unfortunately, at the moment we are simply giving away too many soft goals. Our opening is quite a difficult one, with 6 of our first 8 games away from home and all against play off teams from 2003 with the exception of PR. But we have to over come that, has does everyone else, there is no excuses from my bench. we do have the makings of a very good young team, one that I hope we can build on over the future, but these things take time and we are learning and getting better each day. the one main positive is that each performance has been an improvement on the last, so I feel we are definately moving in the right direction. Some of our marquee players are not yet performing as they know they can, so the new players have had some early opportunities to get involved. I feel dissapointed especially for Bryheem as he is playing ever so well, I am sure you will all enjoy watching him this summer as so far he has been quality. Richard is working hard everyday to push for a place and is committed to the lynx for the long term. I had to release kris O'Neil, he simply could not adjust to this and was unable to find his previous level of play. Darren Baxter (his replacement) has had two excellent back to back games and fits in very well. We'll all take the day off and get back at it tomorrow to prepare for Sunday's opener. As a football fan myself I totally understand your frustrations (I support Man Utd)so you see what I mean this season. I hope you will give the team your support, we will be doing all we can to get back on track and hopefully something for you to cheer about. I realize this is not a coaches forum, but I think you'll find some points for discussion (actually I'm sure you will) Happy Mothers day,
Duncan Wilde Toronto Lynx.
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