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McClaren: Brown a ‘nightmare’ for defenders
March 27, 2025
Reggae Boyz head coach Steve McClaren says Arnett Gardens striker Warner Brown's assets makes him a "nightmare" for defenders.
McClaren noted, too, that other local-based players made a good impression over their two-leg Concacaf Gold Cup qualifier against St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), saying that they competed equally with the overseas-based professionals for a spot in the team.
After a 1-1 draw in the first leg on Friday, the Reggae Boyz, through goals from Brown, an Andrew Johnson own goal, and a Renaldo Cephas stoppage-time goal, defeated SVG 3-0 in the second leg, to secure a 4-1 aggregate..
Brown, who earned a late penalty in the first-leg away tie in SVG on Friday, was given the start ahead of out-of-form Shamar Nicholson at centre forward in Tuesday night's return game at Sabina Park in Kingston. He opened the scoring in the 27th minute with a scorching shot from outside the area, justifying McClaren's decision to play him from the outset.
It was the first international goal for Brown, who leads the Jamaica Premier League (JPL) in scoring with 17 goals.
"The camp that we had a month ago with the local players was invaluable. We had great insight into the players, the culture of them, the work ethic and game intelligence was fantastic," he said.
"And then, in the squad, we chose 10 JPL players. Young ones as well as experience. Some played. Richard King was excellent defensively and with the ball coming out.
"Warner Brown came in and caused problems with his pace, held the ball up, and was always a target for us," he assessed.
"We have no problem giving people a chance, and Warner deserves his from the first camp. I felt, with his speed and running in behind (defence), he is a natural nightmare for defenders," he said.
McClaren pointed out that the local group provide intensity and enthusiasm to the training camp, and gave real competition to the overseas players for places. He said the coaching staff will continue to keep a close watch on the local players for Gold Cup and World Cup qualifying.
"The local players have really made it difficult for the UK and foreign-based players coming in. It was a balanced (squad) of 10 (local) and 10 (overseas-based players) and the local players never shied away from the challenge. They kept the tempo high in training, and the intensity, which was what the starting 11 required," he said.
"The more time we can spend with these players, the better everything will get. I want to see from now until May the local players maintaining the standard of what they've brought, developing, improving in game intelligence and tactical wise.
"They certainly have energy and enthusiasm, and we love that. We need to educate. That's what I learned from the camp. The local players, we need to educate them more into how we want to play, how we want to build up. It's coming but we still have a lot to do," he added.
