Daraine Luton, Freelance Writer IT IS ironic yet understandable. When Jamaica played the United States at the 'Office' on August 18 and were unlucky to come away with only one point, fans with whom The Gleaner spoke, gave newly-appointed head coach Sebastiao Lazaroni the nod of approval.
However, after Saturday's surprise 1-2 loss on home soil to Panama a country with very little sporting history except for probably being the birthplace of Jamaica and West Indies cricket great George Headley some fans now feel that Carl Brown should have been left in charge.
Cries of 'retribution' and 'jungle justice' have surfaced following Lazaroni's failure to eke out a win in 11 games all spanning two stints.
"A that happen when we 'swap black dog fi monkey'... is it we a feel now," one Reggae Boyz supporter shouted when the final whistle came, signalling a disappointing finish.
This propelled The Gleaner to comb the National Stadium, getting reactions to Jamaica's performance.
"I cannot believe it," said Donald Smith who played Division 1 football in the 1970s with Leonard 'Chicken' Mason and Allan Cole at Real Mona.
BAD COACHING DECISION
"I cannot believe we have not learnt anything in 25 years. I came here expecting to see our people playing like true professionals but they let me down... I think bad coaching decisions cost us the game. I don't like calling names or anything, but some of the older players are not up for this level of football," added the former goalie.
As it relates to the journey to Germany, all Smith could say was "it looks grim".
One female fan could not help factoring in her superstition.
'Platinum', the name she calls herself, said: "Panama come with them obeah, strong strong obeah and we think we could break it. But right now we need to reshuffle the cabinet and come again. The team underestimated Panama and that cost us the game. Lazaroni come from Brazil with him bad luck and Panama come with obeah we bound fi lose. A better if we did a work with Carl Brown."
Dwayne, who like most fans were too stunned to get out of their seats even long after the game was finished, opined that "if Damani Ralph and Johnson had start, it could have been different... the starting line-up was bad. I am not disappointed with Lazaroni as yet though. We need to give him some more time."
Dwayne is not the only person with whom The Gleaner spoke that felt Lazaroni needs a bit more time.
"I really don't have anything to say about him. Whatever it is about Lazaroni, I have nothing to say about him. I was never a supporter of him and he is still to prove himself to me. It would be unfair to judge him off just two performances."
On the contrary, Hylton Cobron felt that poor coaching decisions cost Jamaica the game.
"It must be the coach. He has not made much of a difference. I think we could have stuck with the former coach."
