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September 2006 - by EZRA STUART Compliments of the Nation News

ST JOHN'S – New Barbados captain Norman Forde believes the unity within the team contributed greatly to them emerging as the Digicel Caribbean Cup Group "B" first-round winners with an unbeaten record in the just-ended qualifying tournament in Antigua and Barbuda.

"I've been playing with the national team for many years. This is my 94th cap right now and we probably don't have the best players but in terms of morale and the love and unity, it is a whole family atmosphere in the team," he said.

"The younger players look up to the older players and it is just good being among these guys," he added.

Forde also acknowledged the part England-based strikers paul Ifill and Mark McCammon played in the Barbados set-up.

"I think overseas-based players make a lot of difference to your team and once you have the right mixture of youth and experience, things will go well for you," Forde reckoned.

Playing the central midfield role in the team, Forde combined with Ifill and McCammon in the three matches to give Barbados a cutting edge in the forward line, resulting in the team scoring 11 goals in three matches.

"They both told me that the passes they have gotten from me in this tournament they don't even receive at club level or in the Premiership and that I am up there with the rest of the players," Forde said.

Forde said he was also pleased with his overall performance.

"From a personal standpoint, I think I had a good tournament, never mind I didn't score but at the end of the day, the team comes first," he said.

ezrastuart@nationnews.com

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