KINGSTON, Jamaica — Tivoli Gardens head coach Andrew Price is quietly optimistic about the club’s prospects for the upcoming Jamaica Premier League (JPL) season, but says his team will have to take things one game at a time, as they seek to rebuild momentum.

Price has retained a core of players from last season while adding new faces to strengthen the squad and 0believes the combination can give Tivoli Gardens the depth required to be competitive throughout the campaign.

“We have retained several players from last season. Those will be amalgamated with players that we have brought in to assist with the depth of the squad going forward,” Price said.

Tivoli Gardens have brought in veteran Leaughn Williams, Dasha Satchwell, the wily Damari Deacon, Shakur Adair and Rushane Thompson. While Nickalia Fuller, Nathaniel Francis and Janoi Williams have left.

Five-time champions Tivoli Gardens, who  last won in 2011, finished outside the playoff spots last season in 10th place on 44 points, with a record of 11 wins, 17 defeats and drew 11 games.

The veteran coach is resisting the temptation to make lofty predictions ahead of the new campaign, preferring instead to allow his team’s performances to dictate their progress.

“I am quietly optimistic going into the season. We will take each game one at a time and build momentum as the season progresses,” he said.

Price said his players have responded positively to the demands of pre-season and are beginning to embrace the philosophy he wants to establish at the club.

“The players have responded well to pre-season training and embraced the philosophy we are developing at the club. Once we keep them healthy and injury-free, we will be competitive this season,” he said.

However, Tivoli have had to accelerate their preparations with the JPL season getting underway earlier than in previous years.

“Preparations have gone good so far. The season is starting a lot earlier than in previous seasons, so that adjustment had to be made in order to be prepared to hit the ground running,” Price explained.

The early September start has added urgency to Tivoli’s preparations, particularly with some clubs already having competitive matches under their belts through their participation in the Caribbean Club competitions.

“Some of the other teams are already in competition mode, particularly the ones competing in the Caribbean Club Champions. So, we must get ourselves up to speed and be prepared,” Price noted.

While the focus has been on the players and preparations, Price was quick to acknowledge the support being provided by the club’s leadership and the wider Tivoli Gardens community.

“The support from the president and the management team has been great and they have been very supportive and accommodating,” he said.

He also welcomed the growing presence of community supporters at training sessions, saying their involvement has provided encouragement to the squad ahead of the new season.

“The community supporters are also providing great support at the training sessions, which is proving very encouraging,” he stressed.

Price knows that expectations remain high around Tivoli Gardens, a club whose supporters are accustomed to success. But rather than promise an immediate return to the top, he is preaching patience and consistency.

“The players with which we are going into the season will make the team a competitive unit and we will see where it leads us at the end of the season,” he said.

“We will stay grounded and take it one game at a time. Of course, the community and long-time supporters are used to success, and we hope we can start the process in that direction, slowly but surely.”

For Price, the objective is clear — build a competitive unit, develop momentum and let the results determine just how far this Tivoli Gardens side can go.

And while there are no extravagant promises coming out of the orange-and-black camp, there is a growing sense of belief that they are taking the first steps towards reclaiming their place among Jamaica’s football elite.

—     Howard Walker