Bermuda's national football team will take on New England Revolution tonight at the National Sports Centre (NSC) in turmoil with a growing number among the ranks now calling for coach Keith Tucker to resign.

The Royal Gazette has already reported of discontent among players and others close to the national squad.

Top striker Aljame Zuill exchanged words with the beleagured Tucker and assistant national coach Jack Castle was sacked after falling out with his boss last week.

Bermuda's match against the top Major League Soccer side has been viewed as an ideal warm-up ahead of next month's World Cup qualifier second leg clash with Cayman Islands.

But according to various team sources, the senior national programme is presently in a state of "disarray" with the players "having lost all confidence" in coach Tucker and claiming unless he's removed the Island's World Cup hopes remain in jeopardy.

"We need to get rid of Keith Tucker and fast because the players don't have any confidence in the coach whatsoever," one team source, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, told The Royal Gazette yesterday.

"The players have absolutely no confidence in the coach and don't agree with his 4-5-1 formation."

It is understood that preparations for tonight's match have been less than ideal with attendance at practice sessions this week not what the Bermuda Football Association had expected in the lead-up to a match of vital importance to Bermuda's World Cup plans.

"Our preparation this week has been sub-par to say the least," the national team source added. "There's been no organisation or a structured plan put in place and to be honest I think this team is too good for Keith to coach. I think he is way out of his league.

"At this level a plan should have been in place and I honestly feel that our World Cup qualifying bid is in jeopardy."

Following Bermuda's 1-1 home draw with the Caymans earlier this month, most of the blame fell upon the players themselves. But the Gazette's source added: "I think the BFA must also be held accountable for hiring Keith in the first place.

"How did he get the job anyway? Does he have the credentials? These are some of the questions the BFA need to answer because at the moment we have a very serious problem on our hands.

"We have a serious problem with this whole scenario while our football has gone back."

Earlier this week, sacked assistant coach Castle insisted Tucker "was not the right man for the job".

Castle said: "The short time I was with Keith things were very challenging as a support team member for this disorganised coach."

Tucker, who has refused to talk to the Gazette on the criticism, admitted that he did not see eye-to-eye with Castle, telling the Bermuda Sun: "I can't have a guy coaching a system he doesn't agree with", in defence of his controversial system of play.

There are also claims now suggesting all is not well among the BFA hierarchy as technical committtee members are said to be divided over sensitive issues that are having a "negative influence" on the senior programme, something technical committee members Fred (Pinks) Lewis and Clyde Best both acknowledged but declined to go on record yesterday.

Meanwhile, First Division action will take prominence tomorrow with the Premier Division schedule having been scrapped this weekend.

At White Hill Field high-flying Somerset Eagles will look to complete the double over fellow promotion hopefuls Southampton Rangers, a team they beat earlier this week to book a place in this season's Shield final.

Elsewhere, promotion contenders Wolves should enjoy target practice against hapless Paget Lions at White Hill Field (12.30 p.m.), Hamilton Parish will look to get back on track against St. George's Colts at Lords, X Roads face a tricky home fixture against fast-improving Social Club, while cellar dwellars BAA host St.David's Warriors at BAA Field.