Cavalier changing system after double departure

Reigning Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier will be without defensive midfielders Kamoy Simpson and Melvin Doxilly, of St Lucia, who will be taking up contracts overseas.

Simpson will be heading to Central America and Doxilly to Europe.

Coach Rudolph Speid admitted it will be very difficult to replace the duo, who he referred to as his "double-six". However, he is already conjuring a tactical solution that will enable them to put up a serious title defence.

"Kamoy Simpson is going to El Salvador and Melvin Doxilly is on his way to Poland," Speid told STAR Sports.

"Both are our pivots, so it is going to be a cause for concern to replace them. They are pretty strong players, our enforcers. So my double six is gone and that is going to be a blow for us," he said

Without that reassured presence of Simpson and Doxilly sitting in front of the defence, Speid is looking at changing things tactically to suit the players he has available, and so far he thinks he is on the right track.

The club has acquired Davar Thompson, an attacking player from Reno, and young St Lucia goalkeeper Vino Barclett. Kenroy Campbell and Kimani Gibbons who sat out last season, also return.

With new personnel to consider, Speid said they have adjusted to ensure they maintain their high standards.

"I might have to change my style," he said. "Those were hard players in front of the defence, they will not be there any more so we will have to look at how we play and I have to come up with a tactic that will work.

"But if you are not strong at something, you look at what you are strong at. Last season we had an impregnable defence, but this year we might have to outgun the teams."

Although losing the two key figures will be a blow, Speid said the players from last season have shown marked improvement and he expects a valiant defence of their title.

"Cavalier will not give up," he said. "We will give as good as we get. All the teams have improved and I expect them to be coming for the title.

"I see a lot of the clubs going for more experienced players than they had last year, but we will not go that route.

"I will dip into my youth system and bring up other players. We are not perturbed, we will come to play and defend the title. We will not be backing down."

Cavalier, with an average age of 20, defeated Waterhouse on penalties last season to win their first national title in 30 years.