BERMUDA'S head football coach Kenny Thompson wants to see his players be more confident in front of goal when they take on Barbados tonight at the National Sports Centre.

Tonight's match, which kicks off at 7.30, is the first of two friendlies against Barbados ¿ the second being on Monday evening ¿ before Bermuda take on Concacaf powerhouse Trinidad in a 2010 World Cup qualifier on Sunday, June 15 in Trinidad.

Thompson said that Bermuda's players can at times be a bit timid in front of goal and he wants them to "have a go" more often.

"I think it is a situation of a lack of self confidence in that part of the field," said Thompson. "People are afraid of making mistakes but you have to take some chances ¿ and it is especially in that part of the field where you can afford to take chances. We need one or two to be successful.

"We want to get the ball as quickly as possible from the backfield to the midfield and then to the front while still staying under control and in a composed manner. We have worked on that the last few sessions. We have been stressing to the players the importance of making an impact in the attacking third (of the field) and sometimes to have a go. Sometimes we are a bit reluctant to have a go in the attacking third. We have to shoot when there is an opportunity."

Thompson is in a confident mood ahead of the match tonight but admitted that facing Barbados will be a lot different than facing Trinidad.

"I think we have a good chance this weekend. I have always had a lot of respect for Barbados and we have battled them evenly over the years and I hope we can do the same ¿ at the very least ¿ this weekend."

And Thompson said it was important for Bermuda to adopt a "winning mentality".

"Winning (against Barbados) always provides a good situation and whatever the result we will have to try and build on it," he said adding that if Bermuda did win both matches this weekend they would also have to try and keep a level head. "It could go the other way and we could win both matches and think we are world beaters. We have work to do to try and get the mentality right for the Trinidad matches."

And Trinidad will be much tougher opposition than Barbados.

"Against Trinidad we are obviously talking about a different opponent as they represented Concacaf in the 2006 World Cup. They have a lot of experience and a lot of their players are playing at the highest level. But I do not believe (winning over both legs) it is beyond us. I think the players believe that it can be done although Trinidad are going to be a very tough opponent. We are going to have to make a very big effort and concentrate for the entire 180 minutes over the two legs with the possibility of extra time. And with a bit of luck we can do it. We have to take a positive attitude against Trinidad.

"I think that the boys have bought into what we have been trying to get across this week. They are looking better and better."

As of Wednesday Bermuda were ranked 139 in the FIFA world-wide list while Barbados were ranked 121 and Trinidad were ranked 87.

Thompson has also brought in two coaches to help him ¿ Richard Todd and former national coach and professional player Gary Darrell.

Thompson said BFA technical director Derek Broadley approached him about bringing in Darrell.

"Derek was interested in bringing Gary on as an advisor considering his experience in past World Cup campaigns and also his knowledge of the Caribbean (teams) and I was delighted to speak with Gary about that and he jumped at it without hesitation so I am very pleased that he is on board."

And although Darrell is not working directly with the players, Thompson said: "He is providing some observation in the sessions ¿ he is watching from the sidelines and also in the matches. He will be in contact with me as often as he feels to pass on information that he believes is relevant."

And during matches Darrell will be the eyes in the stand.

"I want Gary to be hooked up to the technical bench area during the matches so that he can pass on any information he sees from the stands. He is another pair of eyes. Richard and myself are on the sidelines and often you can see more from the stands and Gary will provide that for us. We are trying to cover as many bases as possible."

Of Todd, Thompson said: "I have known Richard for some time and we know of his accomplishments in the US. He is very committed. Also we share a lot of the same ideas on football.

"He has been tremendous help in the three sessions he has been with us so far. It is also helpful to have someone fresh ¿ we are singing from the same hymn sheet."

After playing Barbados in the second friendly on Monday evening Bermuda's team will travel to Trinidad on the Thursday.

Trinidad are expected to have Scunthorpe United forward Jonathan Forte in their team for tonight's game.

Forte impressed on his debut for the country against Dominica in March and has been rewarded with a place in the squad for the matches here and he has also been selected for Barbados' two FIFA World Cup qualifying matches against the US later in the month.

It is understood that two other English league players, Crystal Palace midfielder Paul Ifill and Doncaster Rovers' striker Mark McCammon, will not travel to Bermuda with Barbados and that has caused some concern in the country.

Barbados football writer Mike King said in The Nation recently: "World football like any other sport, is about professionalism and it goes without saying that we can't meet international sides with a team dominated by amateurs who have honed their skills in a sub-standard (Barbados) Premier League. Hence, it is important that everything be put in place for the English pros to join the squad for the forthcoming matches in Bermuda. It would be a major setback if we were to go into those two matches against Bermuda without English-based players Emmerson Boyce, Paul Ifill, Jonathan Forte and Jonathan Nurse or first choice goalkeeper, Alvin (Banana) Rouse and striker Reveire Williams, both of whom are plying their trade in Argentina.

"For those games on June 6 and 9, there needs to be a bond and harmony between the local and foreign-based players. In other words the team should leave Bermuda and head to California as a unit."

Barbados meet the US in their first leg of World Cup qualifying on Sunday, June 15 at The Home Depot Center in Carson, California.

Barbados, like many other countries these days, are scouring the world for players who are eligible to play to the country.

And last month two more English-based footballers had a trial hoping to gain selection to the national squad and improve the island's chances of making the third round of World Cup qualifiers.

Madalitso Mkoloma, a six-foot tall defensive midfielder, and Kieran Crichlow, a speedy striker, who both play in the English semi-professional leagues, are being looked at.

"It was my first time meeting with the players and the management and it was a good session ¿ I want to play for Barbados and I am hopeful," said the 23-year-old Mkoloma, who was born in London of a Barbadian mother and a Malawian father.

Twenty-six year-old Crichlow, whose Barbadian mother is a nurse in England, is a former Chelsea youth player but currently plays as a semi-professional for Hamilton & Richmond in the London South Conference.

"The word is getting around that Barbados is looking for players and I contacted the Barbados Football Association and came for training. As a player you always want to play at the highest level and I would love to play for Barbados," said Crichlow, who also had trials for Brentford, Millwall and Leicester City.