You have served as head coach on an interim basis in the past. Now you have been installed permanently. Were you surprised at this new appointment?

TW: No, I was not really surprised. In the business of football one is always aiming to go as far as possible and with that mindset you have to be prepared for anything. One has to expect anything in this business.

What has the response been like since your permanent appointment?

TW: The players have given me their full support but this is nothing new. That has been the situation when I was appointed as interim coach. At that time, we got on well. We had a great relationship and we still do. I suppose what has helped the situation is the results that we have had. We’ve won five matches in a row with me as coach.

You had great results in one-off matches. How different do you think leading the team in a tournament situation will be?

TW: Well, we got knocked out of the World Cup so we have to see the Gold Cup as our major tournament and we want to do well. Of course, this being a tournament means we have to approach it differently. It will involve a lot of travelling to a number of cities which could make it mentally and physically taxing. So, we will have to manage our time more efficiently, pay greater attention to hydration and nutrition, and especially our rest schedule which will have to be planned properly.

There was a one-week camp in the Cayman Island before you departed for the Gold Cup. How did it help?

TW: To be honest, it was a great success. It helped get the players sharp, match fit and especially to bond ahead of this tournament.

You had expressed concern about the shape and fitness of some of the England-based players. What is the situation?

TW: I was really concerned about two members of the squad – captain, Ricardo Gardner, and midfielder, Jamal Campbell-Ryce. Both of them have not been very active since their season ended in May. Gardner, in fact, was inactive for a longer period and I am a bit unsure about their match fitness. Gardner has been doing a lot of personal training so he could be okay. Campbell-Ryce played in the game against Panama on June 7, but went off on holidays after so we will have to see how is. The good thing though is that we have a good squad so there are options.

The defensive part of the team was also an area of concern for you. With Ian Goodison’s status uncertain at this time, how are things in that department now?

TW:   Tyrone Marshall is a senior member of the team and has been a stalwart in that area. He will be around to lend his experience. However, the fitness of Claude Davis is a concern, but if he is not up to it, then there is Damion Stewart and Oneil Thompson who played in a central defensive role during the Digicel Caribbean Championships, so they could be called on.

What is the general mood that you are picking up from your players?

TW: Everyone is upbeat and ready which is a plus for us. The biggest headache for me right now is the team selection. It is a good headache though, as it means we have options. So far we had a good training session in Miami on Tuesday, and another one here in California on Wednesday. We haven’t trained at the match venue as yet, but we will do on Thursday.

Your opening game is against Canada on Friday July 3rd at the Home Depot Centre. How important is this game given the fact that the last time both teams met Jamaica defeated them 3-0 in November of last year?

TW: Yes we did beat them in November, but it is a different ballgame right now. Canada has a new coach and I suppose some new players as well who are eager to prove themselves and to show that they are quality players. They just played Guatemala and defeated them 3-0, which could be a big boost for them. We cannot afford to look at that game and believe that we have it won. That cannot, and will not, be the case.

Any final words?

TW: We will do our best to make our country proud and we look forward to the support of our people and fans. Thanks for always supporting us.