ST JAMES, Jamaica— Despite touting one of “the best first rounds for the club in years”, Montego Bay United (MBU) chairman Yoni Epstein says a “lack of depth in the squad” may have cost them points in the Wray and Nephew Jamaica Premier League.

MBU picked up 15 points to be ninth in the points tables after their first 13 games, winning four games, losing six and drawing three, compared to 13 points at this stage last season and a mere five points after 11 games midway the 2021-22 season.

“It’s not where we projected or wanted to be,” Epstein told Observer Online at a media event to launch the MBU Youth Academy at Itel offices in the Montego Bay Freeport on Tuesday.

“But I think one of the issues that we have had is truthfully depth in the squad,” he said.

He said opposing teams are able to substitute players of equal or closely matched skills to the one they are replacing, and “that was an issue for us.”

He said finding players to bolster the depth of the squad is the main focus of the club.

“Our main focus in this last three months is how we are going to increase the quality within the squad and the depth so that we can match that,” Epstein said.

He argued that they were not far off the top six spots and he said they were adding up to seven players.

“[These players] will help us to shore up what’s necessary to get us into the top six this season. So I’m expecting a much stronger second half and one that you can look forward to for the future of MBU,” he stated.

Club president Dr Germaine Spencer echoed Epstein’s comments, adding that “this issue at hand is the depth in the squad and we’re addressing that and as stated in our first interview, the aim is to be top six, and that’s what we’re aiming for.”

Former national players Jourdaine Fletcher and Owayne Gordon were introduced to the fans at a recent Wray and Nephew game against Harbour View at Wespow Park and Observer Online understands that three Caribbean nationals have also been signed by the club.