Price quietly optimistic as Tivoli rebuild for new JPL season

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tivoli Gardens head coach Andrew Price is quietly optimistic about the club’s prospects for the upcoming Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, but says his team will have to take things one game at a time, as they seek to rebuild momentum. Price has retained a core of players from last season while adding new faces to strengthen the squad and 0believes the combination can give Tivoli Gardens the depth required to be competitive throughout the campaign. “We have retained several players from last season.

Those will be amalgamated with players that we have brought in to assist with the depth of the squad going forward,” Price said. Tivoli Gardens have brought in veteran Leaughn Williams, Dasha Satchwell, the wily Damari Deacon, Shakur Adair and Rushane Thompson. While Nickalia Fuller, Nathaniel Francis and Janoi Williams have left.

Five-time champions Tivoli Gardens, who last won in 2011, finished outside the playoff spots last season in 10th place on 44 points, with a record of 11 wins, 17 defeats and drew 11 games. The veteran coach is resisting the temptation to make lofty predictions ahead of the new campaign, preferring instead to allow his team’s performances to dictate their progress. “I am quietly optimistic going into the season.

We will take each game one at a time and build momentum as the season progresses,” he said. Price said his players have responded positively to the demands of pre-season and are beginning to embrace the philosophy he wants to establish at the club. “The players have responded well to pre-season training and embraced the philosophy we are developing at the club.

Once we keep them healthy and injury-free, we will be competitive this season,” he said. However, Tivoli have had to accelerate their preparations with the JPL season getting underway earlier than in previous years. “Preparations have gone good so far.

The season is starting a lot earlier than in previous seasons, so that adjustment had to be made in order to be prepared to hit the ground running,” Price explained. The early September start has added urgency to Tivoli’s preparations, particularly with some clubs already having competitive matches under their belts through their participation in the Caribbean Club competitions. “Some of the other teams are already in competition mode, particularly the ones competing in the Caribbean Club Champions.