BUCKNOR, Clarendon — Humble Lions’ new signings are adjusting to life in the tough Effortville community and might even make their much anticipated debut today against DPL champions Tivoli Gardens if all goes well, according to coach Christopher Bender.

Shawn Sawyers, Cornelius Henry (Portmore United); Denzil Watson (Harbour View); Owen Gordon, Phillip Peddie (Tivoli Gardens); Loxley Thomas (Arnett Gardens); Emil Thompson (Village United) and Peter Brown (New Bowens) have all been acquired by the Clarendon club through the January transfer window which remains open till month-end.

The Premier League new boys are currently ninth in the 12-team league with five wins, seven draws and 10 losses and are still in danger of being relegated. They are just one point above the drop zone.

But Bender reckons his new signings have blended well with the homegrown players and is confident they can get the job done.

“… The acceptance of the older players towards the new players has been going well” Bender said.

“In terms of when you compare the first set of players who brought the team to the Premier League you could understand a little resentment with new players coming in, but I think this adjustment has been different… the acceptance has been going well,” Bender emphasised.

He added: “Most of the players who have come in have some connection to Clarendon, so that has made it a little easier in terms of their acclimatisation, because probably only one of the (new) players (Loxley Thomas) is not used to playing here, but he has played corner league here and most of the players have been friends through the same Premier League.”

Team captain Kevin Mighty, who has been shouldering most of the weight up front all season, corroborated while noting that with the influx of new players he is not worried about losing his spot as getting a partner up front might just work in his favour.

“The vibes in the camp look right (because) the new players… most of them kinda used to each other from years gone by. Some of them used to come this side and play league… so we kinda blend together,” said Mighty, who scored the first goal of the 2009/2010 Digicel Premier League season against Tivoli.

“We glad fi all of these new players… dem bring more seriousness because most of our players is the first time dem playing Premier League, so it was like a learning process.

“And I feel like more things a go happen pertaining even to me scoring, because fi have a next forward fi tek some of the eyes off me it going be better for me” he said.

One of the new players, midfielder Thomas who played at Arnett Gardens before moving to Clarendon, said being at the club for the past two weeks feels as though Effortville is his birthplace.

“Honestly, it’s like I live here. The community really welcomed us as new players, so we’re comfortable right now,” Thomas said.

“We know most of the guys dem from a longer while, so it’s a pleasure to come in and play with dem… dem welcome you, is a brotherly love thing.”

The former Harbour View and Portmore United player said he is also getting use to taking instructions from Bender.

“It’s always good to learn new things from people, so me come in a new environment with a new coach and new payers, so is just each one teach one,” Thomas added.

Being a community-based club where the fans are passionate about their team, the addition of the new players is almost certain to draw some form of feedback.

Anthony Pringle, a founding member of the club, said the entire community has warmed to the new players and thinks their presence will pull more crowd support.

“Dem respond to them positively because the community passionate about dem football and dem jus want know seh Lion a play well.

“So, irrespective of where yuh come from, as long as yuh a play well, the people appreciate yuh,” said Pringle.

He added: “It a go impact positively on the turnout because most a dem a ‘name’ baller and people want see de players dem play.”

Winston Dunk, who has been following the club since the 1980s agreed with Pringle. He believes the team needed some experience players to help them stay alive.

“We see dat the side did need some personnel and we get them now, so we hope the coach utilise them inna the right way,” Dunk said.

Dunk and other hometown supporters will have to wait a bit to see the new players on show at home, as their first two games for the third round will be away to Tivoli Gardens at the Edward Seaga Sports Complex and St Georges at Lynch Park.