MARTYN DE GARIS is talking down claims that his Guernsey side are big favourites for today’s under-21 Muratti at Springfield.
The newly appointed island U21 coach has been blessed with an experienced and talented squad. Six players from last year’s victory are available to him including Alex Le Prevost, who wins an unprecedented fourth Guernsey under-21 Muratti cap.
Jersey on the other hand, have six under-18 players in their ranks and are missing a number of key personnel.
‘I’m not taking anything for granted,’ said de Garis. ‘We’ve prepared as if we’re playing their full side. We’re just going to go out there and do a job.
‘I don’t want the players thinking they can turn up and get a trophy.’ Earlier this week, Jersey manager Dave Kennedy was calling for the date of today’s big match to be changed to Easter when both island’s university students are at home.
His comments were probably triggered by the fact that he will be without influential centre backs Joel Speight and Tom Wherry, who are both away studying. They are also without their danger man Jack Boyle who two weeks ago signed professional terms with Southampton.
James Queree will lead them out and the 18-year-old recently returned to the Channel Islands after two years as an apprentice at Bournemouth. De Garis is keeping his starting line up under wraps but has confirmed that St Martin’s centre back Naro Zimmerman (pictured), who de Garis worked with when the pair were at Sylvans, will lead the side.
Zimmerman acknowledged that the greens are favourites to claim the spoils for the third year on the trot.
‘We’re fairly confident about it,’ he said.
‘If we do our jobs, I don’t think we’ll have too many problems, but it’s all about on the day.’
While the island is embroiled in the deputy chief minister Bernard Flouquet’s race-joke row, Zimmerman’s appointment makes him Guernsey’s first black football captain in any age group.
This is something he is proud of.
‘Indeed – It’s always nice to be asked to do the job,’ he said.
Article posted on 22nd November, 2008 - 9.30am
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