LIVING THE DREAM Lawes relishing participation in RSPL final
Ahead of the Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) championship match against Portmore United at the National Stadium on Monday, Waterhouse’s national defender, Shawn Lawes said that it is every player dream to play in a final .
“This is a player’s dream, playing in the final. Not every player gets to do that. I am living one of my dreams at the moment, and it really means a lot to me,” Lawes told STAR Sports during the RSPL press conference at the Jamaica Football Federation headquarters yesterday.
“I have played at other clubs, and to come to Waterhouse in my first season and make it to the final, means a lot,” he emphasised.
Looking back to the early part of the season, where the Drewslandbased club struggled, Lawes said his being away affected the team chemistry. “I would take some of the blame. At the beginning of the season, I was not here as I was away in the US with my daughter. I came in like two games before Donovan Duckie came in,” Lawes pointed out. “We had a poor start, and I am a part of the team nonetheless, but I think that the system coach (Glendon) ‘Admiral’ Bailey used did not fit the players. I think that kind of hampered our performance,” he added. “Coach Duckie came in with his system, and I think it fit the players. He also hand-picked four players during the transfer window. He told us that we were good players, so he would just add a few more players,” Lawes said about his team’s turnaround in form. Now, Lawes is looking forward to the final. “We are trying to keep humble. The last game is behind us, so the focus is on the final against Portmore. Playing at the Stadium is a different environment, [it has a] quality field, so I personally don’t have a problem playing there. It is a boost for players as not many get to play there,” he concluded.