Coach Duncan defends Luggard
Accra Hearts of Oak coach, David Duncan, has jumped to the defence of goalkeeper Tetteh Luggard, praising the shot-stopper’s record and describing him as an integral part of the team.
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Contrary to perceptions among some Phobian fans that the goalie was the weakest link in the team, the coach dispelled that assertion, insisting that Luggard had contributed significantly to the success of the club this season.
Throughout the season, Duncan kept faith with his trusted pair of hands, playing him in the first team even when many held the view that his performance had fallen below standard.
Speaking to the Graphic Sports in an interview yesterday, Coach Duncan debunked those criticisms as being misplaced since the goalkeeper conceded the least number of goals in the second round of the season.
“He [Luggard] conceded the least number of goals during the second round of the season and I believe he is a good goalkeeper, so I nominated him as the second best keeper when PLB approached me to choose my players for the 2013 PLB Awards,” Duncan said.
For the coach, who intends to strengthen the goalkeeping department and also transfer some non-performing players, “all Luggard needs now is enough competition to make him better”.
Beyond goalkeeping concerns, Duncan hinted that the club would recruit about eight quality ones to augment the squad next season.
The coach was full of praise for his captain and the team’s most valuable player, Mahatma Otoo, for his outstanding performance which saw him scoring 20 goals to win the goal-king title and also annex the SWAG Premiership Player of the Year Award at last Saturday’s MTN SWAG Awards night.
Coach Duncan said he had no plans of leaving the Phobia family but intended to see out his contract to build upon the transformation he had started which saw him rescue Hearts from the throes of relegation to a respectable fifth position at the end of the league.
“I am not leaving. I have a two-year contract with Hearts so I must complete it.”
According to the straight-talking coach, although he “saved” Hearts from possible relegation, their resurgence in the second round was a product of various training regimen he put the players through and which they undertook with the help of God.
Story: Beatrice Laryea
