He can be described as the eternal optimist—when Tobago United are down and out, he always seems to find positives—Head Coach Peter Granville has raised some eyebrows this season with his new look Tobago United outfit and is aiming to create some waves in the T&T Pro League this season.
The boys from the sister isle lie at the bottom of the Pro League standings, without a point, but so far this year they have proved that they will be no walk over.
They have been narrowly defeated in all three games they have played—going down to champions North East Stars 4-3, United Petrotrin 3-2 and Caledonia AIA 2-1—However, unlike last season when they were being mauled by much wider margins, the Tobago Boys can consider themselves a bit unlucky not to have picked up a couple points.
As far as Coach Peter Granville is concerned, this year is about being as competitive as possible—Granville, told ttproleague.com, “In my opinion we have definitely made some improvements and I promise we are going to be a force to be reckoned with in 2005. We still have a lot of work still to be done, to get where we want to be, but the team has definitely closed the gap on some of the other teams that would have beaten us easily last year.”
“I can also promise that we have not began firing on all pistons just yet—I still have a few surprises to spring, and I would say that in the next month you would see the Tobago United team take it up a further notch.”
The former National under 20 Coach, admitted that Tobago United entered the Pro League in 2003, facing an uphill task with at least 29 of the island’s better players playing with other clubs in Trinidad, but they have managed to keep their heads above water and this year they have made a couple important signings which has made a significant difference.
Granville says, “While the likes of Ashford Leggerton, Daryl James, Dave Charles, Sellon Gray and Marlon Austin have come in and added a new dimension to the team—there are a number of players who have come though our ranks from the under 20 level and matured and will make their mark this season—Noel Williams has already been among the goals and Dwayne Jack is making a statement with each game he plays.”
The Tobago born coach main objective is to continue exposing as many Tobago based players to the highest level of football in the country as possible.
“We have a committed bunch of players, some of them never even went to secondary school but, they are willing to make something of themselves—they have been playing now for a couple years and they have been beaten and bruised by the more experienced teams in the league, and they believe enough is enough and they now want to show what they are really capable of”, said Granville.
Mr. Granville is not getting carried away—while, he is determined to see Tobago United improve with every season—he has set himself a few reasonable goals, he wants to get into the final ‘Big Six’ tournament, and make an impact in the knockout competitions.
Tobago United will next be in action against W Connection on Saturday in 6th round action.