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Manders hoping for change of fortune

Bermuda's Taurean Manders (right) joins Chicago Mustangs for pre-season training next week.

Taurean Manders hopes to sign for professional indoor side Chicago Mustangs following his “worst ever season” at United Soccer Leagues outfit Antigua Barracuda.Manders and Barracuda’s endured a torrid campaign in the USL Pro League, losing every match, with the Bermuda midfielder admitting he lost form while playing out of position on the wing.But the 27-year-old believes a fresh start at the Mustangs, who he joins for pre-season training next week, could coincide with him rediscovering his best form.“It was a tough season (at Barracuda), not just on the field but off the field as well,” said the former North Village man.“I might have to say it was my worst season at this level.“I pride myself with being a utility player but I’m not a winger. I can get away with it in Bermuda, but not at this level.“No excuses, though, because I still feel I should get the job done in any position.”The former Canadian Soccer League professional said Barracuda simply lacked sufficient quality to achieve results at the USL Pro level.“At the end of the day, there just wasn’t enough quality in the team to get results,” he said.“You won’t get anything from games if you only have around eight or nine players in the squad that can realistically compete at that level.“Some guys were very young and while it was good for them to get experience, if you want results then you need more quality.”Midway through the season Barracuda appointed former Portsmouth defender Adrian Whitbread as their new coach in a bid to reverse their fortunes.While the changing of guard didn’t halt Barracuda’s losing streak, Manders believes the team did show significant signs of improvement.“When the new coach came in halfway through the season, you saw a difference,” he said.“The team just didn’t have the right structure and organisation until (Whitbread) came in.”Manders admits he has limited experience at the indoor level, although he did train with PASL side Syracuse Silver Knights last season.“I’m supposed to be joining indoor team Chicago Mustangs for pre-season next week. That’s my next step as of right now and we’ll see how that goes.“I trained with Syracuse last season for a few weeks and with Baltimore Blast almost ten years ago for a week.“Other than that I haven’t much indoor experience. Football is football, though, and as players we always love the small-sided games.”Mustangs play in the Professional Arena Soccer League.