If national coach Kyle Lightbourne could take the entire national squad and find them places in teams abroad, he would ? without hesitation.

The new man at the helm of Bermuda soccer is a strong believer in sending young players away for experience and believes players like Damon Ming, Kevin Richards and Domico Coddington will do more for the national team thanks to their time in England and Canada respectively.

Lightbourne, a pro for 11 clubs in nine years in the UK leagues, realises that his wish is just a pipe dream but he is all too aware of the shortcomings of life in the Bermuda domestic scene.

?That is the reality of what we are dealing with,? said Lightbourne, appointed to the top job in Bermuda soccer on a part-time contract until May.

?I am not knocking the league here but that is the situation. Players are given a lot of time on the ball here, that is one of the main differences. A lot of it is to do with fitness levels, players don?t go hunting the ball down here as much ? everyone gets a lot of time on the ball.

?There are some good players playing here, but there are not enough of them. You will get a team with five or six really strong players and the rest are average ? or not-so-average.

?That doesn?t really help player development because too often the good players and the average players are breezing past the not-so-average players.

?In the full-time game, that doesn?t happen. If you are up against a right back, then that right back is going to be as fast as you and as good as you ? every player is of a certain standard.?

Lightbourne, whose assistant Paul Scope has played a large role in getting UK trials for Khano Smith, Ming, Stephen Astwood and Richards, is a big believer in time abroad.

?I think these young lads are going to have something extra in their games now,? continued Lightbourne, who personally used his contacts to get Smith a trial with striker-light Rochdale.

?They will have learnt a lot and that can only benefit the national side.?

And Lightbourne, in a candid interview with also revealed his ideal formation ? for when the national team do eventually play in the Caribbean Cup ? would include the use of wing backs.

?I would be looking at playing three across the back, with wing backs and then possibly two in midfield with a player tucking in behind the strikers,? he said, with a glint of excitement in his eyes as he finally was given a chance to talk tactics.

?I have looked at the players we have and our options and I think we have the players to play in this style. I?d be looking at Blenn Bean and Kevin Richards possibly to fill those wing-back roles, players who can attack and defend.

?Obviously we could play four-four-two if need be, as that is a system the players are used to.?

With the hurricane-damaged Cayman looking unlikely to host their group stage of the regional Digicel Cup any time soon, Lightbourne is still unsure of when his team would next compete ? but isn?t prepared to take a chance with their readiness for when international soccer finally does come their way.

?We are looking at trying to get a couple of friendly games sorted out for the first week of November,? revealed Lightbourne, whose training sessions have been dogged by poor turn-out since he took over from Kenny Thompson.

?Possibly a Scandinavian team ? because their season is over ? or an American league side, but it is tough to get anything sorted out.

?It is a lot of hard work getting matches arranged because of the cost and where Bermuda is, but we are hopeful of getting something ? I don?t really want to go into this competition without having played a game.?

A good showing in the regional tournament, which could see matches being played up until April if Bermuda progress, is exactly what Lightbourne is looking for as he looks to make his relocation back to Bermuda increasingly worthwhile.

In a part-time position until May, the former Stoke, Walsall, Coventry and Fulham player admits he would like to get a chance at the job full-time next year.

?I want to do a good job so that when May comes around I can be considered for a full-time role,? he added.

?I assume that they will be looking around again then and I may have to re-apply but that is something I intend to do. I have moved back here now ? my family should be coming just before Christmas ? and to coach the team full-time at the end of the season would be great.

?It was made clear that the job was only part-time and only until May but I would like to be in a position by then to make a case for staying on.?

Whatever results he picks up in the Caribbean Cup, however, Lightbourne will remain at the mercy of the fickle Bermuda Football Association executive who didn?t give Kenny Thompson a second chance despite his generally-accepted good performance during his stint at the helm.