Vanzie works to bring experience to Humble Lion’s youth
Humble Lion’s captain Andrew Vanzie admits the Vassell Reynolds youth revolution is proving more difficult than anticipated, but they are working hard to get it right.
Reynolds took charge of Humble Lion in late December and has since embarked on a youth policy, replacing several veterans who made them competitive in recent seasons.
However, Vanzie, their talisman during that period, reasoned that the young players are very short on experience at this level and find it hard to keep pace with top-flight football. He believes it is up to the senior players to assist the young members to get up to speed as soon as possible.
“It has been a difficult process for us, because most of the young players do not have senior-level experience,” Vanzie said.
“Most of them just came out of D (daCosta) Cup and realised the pace is much higher than D Cup, so it’s taking some time for them to adjust to the Premier League.
“A few of them are doing good, but sometimes they go into their shell (with criticism). We, the senior players, are trying to get them out of their shells so we can move forward.
“It is a new system. It caught us in the middle of the season. There are a lot of youngsters, and they are trying to build a team around me, but we have to keep fighting every game,” he continued.
Humble Lion are 10th in the table with 18 points, five adrift of Waterhouse, who are in sixth, the last play-off spot (sixth) and are 11 points clear of relegation trouble.
Nevertheless, Vanzie with two goals from free kicks already this season, said the focus is not on making the top six this term but on getting it right and surviving demotion.
“We are not thinking about the top six now. We are taking it a game at a time. We will continue to work hard and move forward, but aim to try and hit 25 points for this round and see if we can stay up.
“It (3-2 loss to Molynes in the last match) is a setback because we didn’t get the result,” he said.
The 33-year-old, eyeing a role in coaching shortly, swore to do his best to help Humble Lion transition.
“I will continue to push on and do my best for the team. It has been up and down for me this season, but I have to continue to work hard and work for the team, as I am the captain, so I have to lead from the front,” Vanzie said.