Bermuda's performances against Trinidad and Tobago this week have been nothing if not encouraging.

While Kenny Thompson's team lost the first match 1-0 and drew 2-2 last night, we've seen a marked improvement over the team's showing against Barbados just over a month ago during the Christmas break.

And it should be remembered that Trinidad, even without some of their leading professional players during this trip, might still be considered a stronger side than the Bajans.

Indeed, even their coach remarked after Tuesday's opening match how he was surprised that Bermuda had dictated so much of the play, particularly in the first half.

But if there's still one piece missing from Thompson's jigsaw, it's a player with the ability to turn half-chances into goals. If Bermuda's frontmen had converted just a fraction of the opportunities that came their way on Tuesday night, the home team would have emerged with a comfortable win.

How ironic is it then, that in Shaun Goater Bermuda possess one of the most lethal strikers in the English League yet we can't persuade him to play for his country?

What an enormous difference his presence would have made in both of this week's games, and more importantly, could make, in the upcoming World Cup campaign.

Of course, it's a tired debate. The pros and cons of bringing back Goater for international games have long been exhausted, the bottom line being that as much as Bermuda Football Association, Thompson, his fellow players and the fans would all desperately like him to return, he insists that at this time in his career club football comes first.

And if he doesn't want to play, there's simply no point in taking the matter any further.

Yet if only he could have seen for himself this week how much the squad have blossomed under Thompson and how he could provide that missing link.

In fact, with Reading enjoying a lengthy break - they have no match scheduled this weekend - this week would have been a perfect opportunity for the Goat to return without compromising club loyalty.

That said, we have to respect his decision. It is, after all, difficult to criticise someone who for more than a decade now has been such a wonderful ambassador for the Island.

Thompson will have realised some time ago that he has no option but to work with the players he has available here in Bermuda.

On the evidence provided this week, it's a case of so far, so good.

. . . but what a difference it would make if he could only find someone with the same appetite for goals as Goater.

- ADRIAN ROBSON