John Barnes, former Head Coach of the Reggae Boyz, speaks exclusively to www.digicelfootball.com about how he thinks the team will fare in the upcoming Gold Cup.

John, you spent seven months preparing this squad for the Gold Cup, before moving on to your new role in Tranmere Rovers in the UK. As a team, how do you think they will perform?

If you have a group of committed players, they will do well. It doesn’t matter who you play if you have the right mindset, organization and desire. We saw that against the Nigerian team which was ranked in the top 20, and against Grenada who were ranked over a hundred. They had the elements, not just the quality.

One of the catch phrases from your association with the team is the word ‘belief’. Do you think the players believe in themselves?

The most important thing is for the players to believe in themselves. I believe in them because they have the quality. I also think I have taught them how to believe in themselves, but most importantly, Jamaica must believe in them. A lot of people have always talked about the overseas-based players, but I have never focused on that. They have the ability, but maybe to a degree they were marginalized which could have affected their confidence. We have not always had the overseas-based players but have always competed.

Do you think your departure will have any effect on the team and its performance in the Gold Cup?

I hope it does not affect them and it should not. I had my own way of doing things and Theodore may decide to do his own thing, but there is not a lot of time right now to adapt to a new philosophy. Overall though, a new manager (coach) should not affect the attitude of the team.

Theodore Whitmore has been your assistant since your time with the Reggae Boyz, how do you think he will do in the role of Head Coach?

I think he will do well because he is very disciplined. He knows the players, he knows what to do. If the players are focused and their (positive) attitude remains intact throughout the tournament, Jamaica will do well. It is not a one-match situation.

Do you think Theodore will be respected by the players?

I think he will get the respect of the players. They know the magnitude of the situation, but my hope is that he will be allowed to coach and manage in the way that he knows how. That has been a problem in the past. The greatest thing is about the organization and selection of the team. We need to embrace more qualities of discipline, desire and organization (in a team). We saw the United States beat Spain and they (on paper) were certainly were not a better team than Spain.

Any parting words for Theodore, the Boyz and the Jamaican people heading into this tournament and beyond?

I have always maintained that this country is blessed with talented footballers. What they are in need of is the exposure and the belief of the Jamaican people. If you believe in them and give them the opportunity to perform, they will believe in themselves even more. It is not about playing overseas or playing at home it is about the ability and the pride in representing one’s country. In my last three games, it was especially pleasing to see the emergence of a number of local-based players like Keammar Daley, Devon Hodges, Navian Boyd and Adrian Reid.

For Theodore, it is simple. He is a good coach who can and will go places. He has to continue believing in himself and his abilities. I believe that he is intelligent enough to seek support and advice should he need it.

As for the tournament, we will do well providing we remain focused, committed and disciplined. For the long term, as country, we need to support the players and the coaching staff and believe that they can deliver.