By Paul-Andre Walker, Staff ReporterARNETT GARDENS, on top of their poor run of form, are facing numerous internal dilemmas stretching from injuries to disputes that threaten to push the former kingpins into the doldrums of the lower leagues.
Currently, they are fourth from bottom in the 12-team championship on 18 points, and last in the second round standings with four points from seven matches.
In their last outing, the 'Junglists' fielded a weak team lacking a number of top players on its roster.
MISSING PLAYERS
Missing the likes of players like Walter Boyd, Keith Kelly, Gregory Messam, Everton Bunsie, Gerald Neil, Selvin Collins, Alex Thomas, and Alberto Fray they were outgunned by a powerful Waterhouse team at full strength, that was reduced to 10 players before half-time.
Their 0-3 defeat begged the question from the fans: "A weh di baller dem deh?"
A source close to the team told The Gleaner the team has a quagmire of problems that go much further than on the field of play.
After their 2-3 loss to Harbour View just over a week ago it is alleged that a squabble ensued between Neil and a spectator and it is further alleged that this was the reason for his absence.
After the Waterhouse loss, the tension in the air between some players and their fans was evident with strong arguments flying either way and it could be said, based on that fact alone, that all is not well at home.
Thomas' absence from this week's game is not too troubling. Their coach, Jerome Waite, confirmed he was serving his suspension for accumulating too many yellow cards. He said the same holds for Kelly and Messam, who have been suffering from the flu. Kelly is slated to have made a visit to the doctor yesterday.
Bunsie, who suffered a fractured leg against Seba in all likelihood will be out for the remainder of the season. Alberto Fray, who everyone was waiting on to make his mark on the team, suffered a broken hand and until X-rays are done to evaluate how he has been healing, the tenure of his absence remains unknown.
In a Gleaner interview last Friday, the club's president, Patrick Roberts, announced that Walter Boyd was the only player from the Arnett Gardens team who had voiced his will to use the transfer window come January.
"He (Boyd) told me that he wants a transfer. No other player has come to me and said they want to leave," Roberts said.
Boyd's absence from the team for much of this season, and lately, has been duly noted.
When asked why 'The Pearl' wasn't playing, Waite said: "I cannot comment on Walter Boyd at this time."
There had also been growing speculation that ace goalkeeper, Julian McLeish, would be heading to Tivoli Gardens. The rumours were strengthened by the fact that McLeish, a former national juvenile representative who won a top goalkeeper award last season, was not seeing any action while Allan Reid and Selvin Collins shared the position between the sticks.
DISPELLED RUMOURS
But Roberts, in the same interview last Friday, dispelled these rumours.
"No. Up to a little while ago he stated it clearly in front of his team members," he said.
Backing up that claim was the surprise shown by Arnett's fans on Sunday to see the former skipper back between the sticks and saving up a storm. What this means for the alleged transfer to Tivoli is unsure.
What is known though is that the recently preferred 'keeper, Selvin Collins, has a swollen hand and so was ruled out.
What is next for the Arnett Gardens team is as unpredictable as the direction in which the wind will blow, and until they can muster some consistency off the field, woeful may well be their calling card.
