A chicken without a head, a lack of cohesiveness, lack of movements, poor communication, the need for a good passer of the ball, players out of positions; were some of the reasons given why Jamaica slumped to their first defeat of the CONCACAF World Cup qualifying play-offs on Tuesday night, crashing 0-2 to Costa Rica in that country.

Coaches Dr Dean Weatherly of Montego Bay United and former Sporting Central Academy’s Nigel Stewart struck similar notes in their assessment of the Reggae Boyz.

Dr Weatherly noted that the team started very well defensively, but lost concentration and conceded the first goal in the 22nd minute.

“For players of that calibre that we have, there is no way we should have a free man standing at the far post and nobody marked him,” noted Weatherly.

“After the goal scored everything went through the window as far as game plan. We were disjointed and there was no leader on the field to say ‘come on now, get back together and forward again’.

“We were like a chicken without a head. It was very obvious and I didn’t like the game,” Dr Weatherly told the Jamaica Observer yesterday.

“Donovan (Ricketts) in the goal is kind of too far to motivate them like that. We needed somebody like a senior midfielder to do that,” he added.

“Panama came here and [taught] us football possession-wise and playing a similar team like Panama, which is Costa Rica, we lost everything. There was no composure, but the team spirit was there, I saw the fight and they never lie down and play dead. But the fight was individualism. I didn’t see the cohesiveness,” said Weatherly.

Meanwhile, Stewart pointed out that the team started well and looked as if they went there to win, “but then for some reason we just crumbled”.

“We lacked movement and we needed somebody in midfield to pass the ball. We just win it and turn it over, win it and turn it over,” noted Stewart.

He then made mention of players playing out of position and a few names came to mind.

“If Jermaine Taylor cannot make the team at his rightful position he must sit down. I not sure which position he really wants to play and which one suits him.

“Plus, I think once Austin (Rodolph) start to play the offensive role… he must go back in front of the defence and play that role. Since he has been up there we haven’t got any shots from him. We need to look at that,” said Stewart.

“They make it look like we play our best game against Mexico. Last night the movements were poor, we were not consistent, and I think because the players not playing in their right positions. For me Austin is one of the best holding midfielders, not attacking midfielder,” he reiterated.

“We have forwards and nobody to pass the ball to. I am not saying he (Jermaine Hue) is the solution, but at this time he should play.

“Tappa as a skill person playing midfield (in his playing days), it is very hard for me to believe that he is picking the team and not picking a skilful person. Everybody in midfield is just hard tacklers. Like Austin last night, a lot of bad passes. We don’t have anybody who can weigh the ball and secondly, we don’t have anybody, to score the goals,” Stewart added.

“For some reason I don’t see Shelton right now in the team. We should give the guy Ryan Johnson another chance, because if you don’t put yourself in the position, you are not going to get the chances. He gets himself in the positions,” he argued.

“Most of the bad passes were because of poor communication. The player want it at their feet, while the passer want him to run it down. I don’t think we have the cohesiveness needed.

“I would start Teddy Johnson, because he need to prove a point, Shelton is already concrete in the side… we need hungry players to prove themselves. How can we play 90 minutes of football and only get two chances,” noted Stewart.