WHAT THE PUNDITS SAY
THE 2023/24 season of the Wray & Nephew Jamaica Premier League (JPL) concludes today with the final between defending champions Mount Pleasant Academy and last year’s runners-up Cavalier FC. The Jamaica Observer spoke to some experts and analysts to get their views ahead of the final, as well as giving their take on some of the season’s bests.
FINAL PREDICTION:
Jeanae Robinson: Mount Pleasant 2-2 Cavalier; Mount Pleasant to win on penalties. They have the stronger team and in comparison to how they were affected from the two weeks to Cavalier, you can see that their training programme aims for them to peak and do very well around this time.
Daniel Blake: On the fence. Hard to go against the defending champions and league leaders but Cavalier having Dwayne Atkinson, Richard King and Jalmaro Calvin this time around, plus a more mature squad, I see them having a better chance than they did last season.
Trishana Mcgowan: Having watched both teams in regular season and the play-offs I’ll pick Mount Pleasant to retain their title, but I expect Cavalier to be stubborn and make it difficult.
Mario Dacres: Mount Pleasant 2-1 Cavalier, just due to the sheer quality that Mount Pleasant have in their team.
PLAYER(S) TO WATCH IN THE FINAL:
Jeanae Robinson: Mount Pleasant – Devonte Campbell and Daniel Green. Cavalier – Jalmaro Calvin and Dwayne Atkinson.
Daniel Blake: Mount Pleasant – Sue-lae Mccalla, his influence on the game and overall dynamism makes him a defensive and offensive weapon. Demario Phillips because of his creativity and constant involvement in the game.
Cavalier – Jalmaro Calvin has been a threat all season with his smart movement and versatility up front. Kyle Ming and Richard King, their defensive contributions will be needed due to Mount Pleasant’s attacking nature.
Trishana Mcgowan: Mount Pleasant – the team isn’t short on quality all-around but I expect the seniors, led by Sue-lae Mccalla, to have a good game.
Cavalier – Jalmaro Calvin. He has scored quality goals this season and will likely be knocking on Mount Pleasant’s backline.
Mario Dacres: Mount Pleasant – Devonte Campbell, young and energetic on the wing which can cause any full back problems, and Sue-lea Mccalla, captain and saviour. No matter how difficult the game becomes he will always pop up with a goal.
Cavalier – Jalmaro Calvin, one of the youngest and best strikers in the league, he always scores no matter how difficult the game is, and Dwyane Atkinson can cause any team problems with his creative and dribbling abilities.
PLAYER OF THE SEASON:
Jeanae Robinson: Mount Pleasant’s goalkeeper Shaquan Davis has shown significant improvement. Good usage of ball, great decision-making by not being still in goal, and hungry to save the ball.
Daniel Blake: Tivoli Gardens’ Justin Dunn. To go from being a full back a few seasons ago to scoring 16 goals this season is Gareth Bale-like. Also, his contributions in terms of assists and chances created for the highest-scoring club this season can’t be ignored.
Trishana Mcgowan: “Captain Fantastic” Sue-lae Mccalla, consistently effective as a player and has led his team to another final.
Mario Dacres: Mount Pleasant Captain Sue-lae Mccalla, possibly the most consistent player throughout the entire season.
COACH OF THE SEASON:
Jeanae Robinson: Mount Pleasant’s Theodore Whitmore has calmly led a group of boys, with the backative of a good staff, to a second-consecutive final. He has to be doing something right, not only in the football development but [also with the] holistic development of his boys.
Daniel Blake: Whoever leads their team to the title. However, Mount Pleasant’s Theodore Whitmore, Cavalier’s Rudolph Speid and Tivoli’s Jerome Waite all have a good case after finishing in the top three while facing different on- and off-the-field challenges this season.
Trishana Mcgowan: Mount Pleasant’s Theodore Whitmore and his coaching staff. He won the title for the first time last season, returned, and won the regular season. He’s back into the final with a chance to claim another victory.
Mario Dacres: Tivoli Gardens FC’S Jerome Waite or Cavalier FC’S Rudolph Speid. Waite brought a team who was struggling from last season to finish this season in the top three and to the play-offs. Speid with a young squad, competing on multiple fronts including the Caribbean Cup and also the Concacaf Club Championship, and finishing second place in the regular season, and getting past fan favourites Arnett Gardens to make it to the finals — back-to-back finals with a young squad.