Pacific FC is hoping its recent swoon song doesn’t turn into a swan song.
“We know we need to be better. We are not happy with our recent weeks. We know we’ve had some games where we were not at our best,” said PFC head coach James Merriman.
Those recent outings, three losses and a draw in the last four games, have seen the Tridents slip from a comfortable perch atop the Canadian Premier League and into a sudden melee in the top half of the table with Cavalry FC of Calgary, Forge FC of Hamilton and York United.
“This can happen. You don’t want to go through this but sometimes you need to in order to shape yourself as a team. We need to respect the process and continue to play our way and believe in the way that we do things,” said Merriman.
“We are staying focused on our daily work and training environment and are pushing as a group. We have come even closer as a group and keep believing and have trust in what we are doing.”
The Tridents are in Winnipeg today to play a Valour FC team at 1 p.m. PT at IG Stadium that also has three losses and a draw in its last four games. But without benefit of as strong a start to the season as PFC, the Manitoba club is languishing in seventh place at 3-6-7 in wins-losses draws to the Tridents’ 7-4-5.
“We are aware of Valour’s situation but are very much focused on ourselves,” said Merriman. “It’s the time of season where you ask more from your players.”
Meanwhile, PFC striker Djenairo Daniels continues in concussion protocol and will remain home following the frightening head knock in the loss to Forge FC at Starlight Stadium last weekend that caused a lengthy delay in the game while Daniels was attended to.
“DJ is responding really well, is in good spirits, and will be fine,” said Merriman.
“We hope it’s not too long but we won’t rush the process.”
CORNER KICKS: PFC has hired Pedro Guerreio as the club’s new goalkeepers’ coach to replace Daniel Ortiz, who left to join Brentford FC of the English Premier League as assistant goalkeeper coach.
Guerreio has worked with top-level pro goalkeepers José Moreira of CD Cova Piedade and Amir Abedzadeh of Sociedad Desportiva Ponferradina in a career that has seen him coach in the top leagues of his native Portugal as well as Finland, China, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
“We are investing in the development of two young goalkeepers [Emil Gazdov and Kieran Baskett] with big potential,” said Merriman.
