With nine games left to complete the 2008-09 Digicel Premier League season, it is distinctly possible that Trelawny-based team, Village United, could wrestle from the vice-grip of relegation.

Only four points separate the next two spots above them and their next four matches are against teams that are likely to remain in their present positions in the bottom six, heading into the final round which starts on May 3.

However, it was a grim picture which was created of the turnaround needed following the 4-0 hammering they received at the hands of Sporting Central Academy at Brancourt last Sunday.

Cassman Williams, the former Seba midfielder/striker who gained most of his national caps under the watch of Geoffrey Maxwell in the late 1980s, was handed the enormous task of resuscitating a team that has occupied the cellar spot since the early weeks of the league last September.

He spoke clearly of that tough road ahead to change what many feel is an inevitable course.

rebuilding phase

"I started on Friday with this team, going through a rebuilding phase with mostly Under-21 players as that is the mandate from the management," Williams said.

"We are hoping we can gel quickly and get our act together, but right now, after this game, there is a bit of doubt. We needed to win this game in terms of moving forward," said Williams, who is in his third stint at Village.

He had served in an assistant capacity to previously sacked coaches Maxwell and Allan Aarons.

As Sporting Central dictated the pace in that game on Sunday, several fans were overheard discussing whether Village had sufficient quality to even compete for the remainder of the league.

Though the first goal was conceeded after 32 minutes, Village merely looked to play a containing strategy as only goalkeeper Jacomena Barrett and captain Ian McAnuff in midlfield looked the part.

There were open verbal clashes on the field and the indiscipline further reared its head when one player was actually given a red card, after flashing his hand at the referee for a second caution, as the team trailed 3-0.

There was even a comical moment late in the game when goalkeeper Barrett came upfield to take an indirect free kick given in the six-yard area.

Marvin Tate, who previously served in both the capacity as technical director and coach at Village, was noticeably overheard trying to calm tempers during a post-game team meeting on the field.

Easing such tensions can only help in a tough but not impossible task of breaking free from the clutches of relegation.