Head coach Dennis Lawrence has completed his first week of training with the National Senior Men’s Team ahead of the upcoming international friendly with Suriname on March 10th in Paramaribo.
Lawrence began his sessions on Monday at the Larry Gomes Stadium and closed off the first part on Saturday at the Ato Boldon Stadium in Couva.
During this period, he welcomed back W Connection defender Alvin Jones who returned from a trial with MLS club Minnesota United while Central FC’s Darren Mitchell was also drafted into the provisional squad.
“The payers have applied themselves in the right way. I think this week was important for us getting together as a group for the players to understand the way myself and the staff wants to work. I think they have showed a fantastic attitude towards the work and hopefully it’s been beneficial towards the players with regards to fitness first and foremost,” Lawrence told TTFA Media.
“Technically we have to improve on things but in generally the players have showed a good attitude. I am pleased with the progress but there’s still a long way to go,” Lawrence told TTFA Media on Saturday.
This week also saw the introduction of the General Packet Radio System (GPRS) into the senior team programme overseen by football scientist Stephen Bradley who was named as a member of Lawrence’s backroom staff.
The GPRS is a software designed to analyze players’ physical condition in detail. The jacket worn by the players during the training has a tiny radio inside it which sends all the data of the player’s physical condition to the computer, operated by Bradley. GPRS Trackers clarifies everything, from the player’s pulse rate, blood pressure, his endurance capacity, the blood circulation, the condition of important bones in his body and Lawrence and his staff will be able to know every aspect after using GPRS tracking system.
“I think it’s been fantastic. We allowed the players to feel themselves into it. We did a full presentation on it and the players are fully clear on what the GPRS does and I am hoping to see a reaction to that,” Lawrence said.
The Training camp will continue on Ash Wednesday following a break between today (Sunday) and Tuesday.
“I think it is important to work in trust in any organisation. I have given the players trust. They all understand and they know exactly what I expect of them over the next three days. We have worked hard over the past six days.
“They are going to be back on Ash Wednesday. I understand as well that Carnival is part of our culture and I think it was necessary to allow the players some time with their family and Ash Wednesday we will be back on the training ground working hard again,” Lawrence added.