WITH last season’s fourth-place finish still fresh in their mind, Arnett Gardens are bubbling with confidence ahead of the new Red Stripe Premier League (RSPL) season.

The ‘Junglists’ who had to produce a dazzling run of form to progress to the semi-finals after being out of contention earlier in the season, have now acquired the services of a host of new and seasoned players to strengthen the team in all areas which will see them knocking at the door as they seek to break their 12-year title drought.

Coach Jerome Waite, who was reappointed last season after the resignation of Calvin Lewis with the team in ninth position, is the most successful coach in the club’s history, having led them to two of their three titles in 2001 and 2002.

Waite is now hopeful that his presence at the start of the season can see the club going all the way. He told the Jamaica Observer that pre-season preparations have been going “fairly well” despite the lack of punctuality by a few senior players.

He further added that the team will be more tactically “balanced” with the addition of national defender Dicoy Williams, who is making a move from Harbour View, as well as Waterhouse’s Marvin Morgan Jr, Alonzo Adlam from the relegated Portmore United, Jameel Thompson and Fabian Campbell from Tivoli Gardens and the returning Anthowe Dawkins and Jerry Walters from Highgate United.

“The fact that I have started this season with them this time around will speak volumes. We have a nucleus of players that will see us being balanced in defence, midfield and attack…so I am looking forward to this team being a title contender this year,” said Waite.

“One of the key things this year is the fact that we have more defensive-minded players, unlike what we finished with last year, so this will also be a plus for the team,” he explained.

Jamar Martin, who picked up an injury in the last game of the season against Boys’ Town, explained that the addition of more defensive players to the squad will help them to step their game up a notch. The promising centre-half is positive that the team will win the title.

“We get some good defenders and we are working with each other so we won’t have a problem round there. It is not a matter of look like we a go win, but we will win,” he said.

Meanwhile, midfield player Andrew Phang noted that he is aiming to score at least 15 goals for the season to assist the club in its hunt for the title.

Phang, Vishunel Harris, captain Kirk Ramsey, Newton Sterling, Kamal Malcolm, Andre Clennon and Renae Lloyd, along with the new signings will attempt to make Arnett Gardens one of the top teams hunting yet another premier league title, as the

12-year wait is far too long for the ardent Arnett Gardens fans.