Portmore’s Demar Rose ready to lead

Portmore United's Demar Rose is prepared to play a leading role in the club's rebuilding project after the departure of a number of its senior players.

The midfielder scored their only goal in their win over defending Jamaica Premier League champions Cavalier on Sunday.

He says he been adjusting his game to be more effective for the team.

"I have always been criticised for not getting into the box," he said. "So I am trying to implement that in my game and every day in training, I try to push myself to get into the box whenever my wide players get the ball.

"That's what propelled me to attack that ball and we got a goal that helped us to win the game."

Portmore released players who won them back-to-back titles in 2018 and 2019. This includes Ricardo Morris, now at Mount Pleasant, Chavany Willis, who transferred to Arnett Gardens, and goalkeeper Kemar Foster, now at Waterhouse, among others.

That left only Rodolph Austin, Emelio Rousseau, Rose and goalkeeper Eric Edwards as players with any meaningful experience in the league.

Rose said that they have been helping the young players to find their feet and build confidence.

"The senior guys are trying to help the younger guys to do their best and have confidence on the ball because they are all quality players.

"It is a lot of responsibility, but I have to think about the team first and we want to keep on improving, day in day out, and see what happens."

Rose says the team was extra motivated for the game against Cavalier, and that played a role in them getting their first win in three matches.

"We played them last year and they defeated us," he said. "But they are the defending champions and that motivated us to fight hard.

"The drive we got from that defeat last year, was what lifted us. We also got some stern words from the managers and coaches, and that helped us."

The 24 year old, who recently got his first national call-up, said that is added incentive for him to be consistent and keep improving.