Following his recall to the Golden Jaguars senior men’s program for the Courts Caribbean Classic after being omitted since 2021, former captain Sam Cox (SC) sat down with Stabroek Sport (SS) to discuss his possible new role within the setup, and his expectations for the future.
Below features the transcript of the entire interview:
SS: What are your thoughts on being recalled to the program?
SC: “I’m absolutely delighted to be back in the squad, it’s always an honour to be called up to the national team and I think it’s been clear over the last seven years how much pride I take in representing my country. Of course after being omitted from the last two squads under the tenure of Marcio Maximo, to get recalled now under Jamaal Shabazz who’s had a heavy influence on my career. It was the manager that gave me my debut in 2015 so it’s an absolute honour and I can’t wait to get started and linking up with the squad which seems to be a new era under a new regime and one which I am looking forward to.”
“I am excited with this batch of talent which we have now and I know now with myself being one of the more experienced players in the group, now I know I have a different role within the squad. On and off the pitch I know I can provide my leadership qualities and experience and help those youths to develop along with having an impact on the pitch too. I am very much looking forward to it and can’t wait to get started.”
Cox, 31, who last played for Hampton & Richmond Borough of the National League South (6th tier of English football), previously suited up for the program on March 30, 2021 against the Bahamas in the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers. The right-back made his debut under Jamaal Shabazz on June 5, 2015 against St Vincent and the Grenadines in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers.
SS: What are your expectations of the program going forward?
SC: “The expectations are simple for me, I set out with a goal or target which is to uplift the program and to ensure that when I step out of the national team and do hang my boots up one day and go into full time coaching and managing, that the program will be left in a better place. I do feel we were on track to do it; if you look at what we achieved in 2019 by reaching the Gold Cup and really solidifying Guyana as one of the most competitive nations within the Concacaf region, I think we were well on our way. Do I think we have deviated over the last couple of years? If I am honest, I think so. We probably lost our way a little and we need to get back to where we were, winning football matches and achieving what we feel is doable with the current cohort of players that we have.”
“Now we know that is going to take time to reset and buy into the ‘gaffa’s’ philosophy. It’s a new regime but we know that under Jamaal Shabazz he is someone that has the county’s best intention at heart and wants to progress and wants to develop young players but also achieve. I know my role is going to be a little different from what it was a few seasons ago. I have made 29 caps, I think that is one of the most within the squad if not the most and having captained the side for five years previously, I think my leadership qualities on and off the pitch can help some of these younger players, as well as with [Neil] Danns being called up too. That is priceless experience which I think these boys need.”
SS: How important are the two matches especially with the 2022/2023 Concacaf Nations League commencing in June?
SC: “I think every international game is important, not so much about the importance of the result but the importance of cohesion amongst the squad, buying into the philosophy and developing ideas and players for the nation’s league in the summer. That is the most important thing, of course these are friendly matches and they should be used to build for what we have going forward.”
“Obviously Barbados, we know that they are always a challenging opponent and of course the rivalry with Trinidad and Tobago. It’s always going to be competitive and important matches but I think the priority within this week of football is that the team builds cohesion, develop new ideas and buy into the system that Jamaal’s trying to implement and with one eye on the nations league, look at areas which need improving and working on our strengths. Those are the most important things. Of course it would be fantastic to get two wins and you go into every match trying to win but most important is the performance and trying to buy into what the ‘gaffa’ is expecting of us with the nations coming up in the summer.”
