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Wells: Ideal time to play T&T

Team Bermuda prepare for World Cup qualifiers at National Stadium Tuesday evening( Photo by Glenn Tucker )

Nakhi Wells believes Bermuda couldn’t be playing Trinidad at a better time considering their opponents are missing several of their most influential players for Friday’s must-win World Cup qualifier.Star striker Kenwyne Jones, Ipswich winger Carlos Edwards and LA Galaxy midfielder Chris Birchall are all absent for the Soca Warriors either through injury or unavailability.And without their key triumvirate, Wells reckons Trinidad could be slightly vulnerable although he insists Bermuda will still start the game as underdogs.“We’re in a predicament where a win is mandatory for us,” said the 21-year-old. “I would probably say Trinidad’s key players are missing so this is the best time for us to play them and really show we can handle the pressure.“But I wouldn’t say just because they are without Kenwyne Jones and Carlos Edwards that it’s not going to be just as hard a game.“The youngsters who take their place will be striving to take their chance because they will know you often only get one opportunity in football.”The Bradford City striker acknowledges Bermuda’s hopes of advancing from Group B are hanging by a thread having failed to pick up a point from their opening two qualifiers.With that in mind, Wells admits they will have little option but to attack Trinidad with anything less than a victory almost certainly signalling the death knell for Bermuda’s qualifying chances.“We can’t win without scoring so we have to be attack-minded. But Trinidad will also be looking for goals because they are behind Guyana on goal difference and that could be crucial in terms of the qualifying picture.”Wells has made just one appearance for Bradford since returning to the League Two side from international duty last month.And he concedes Bermuda’s qualifying campaign couldn’t have come at a worst possible time for him in terms of trying to break into the Bantams first team.“I need to get some minutes under my belt because I’ve hardly played for Bradford recently,” said Wells.“Decision wise, it’s been difficult because it’s a hard predicament to be in when you’re on the verge of the first team. But you want to represent your country at the same time and do what’s best for yourself which is playing football.“I wouldn’t say I made a bad choice but I would say things have fallen in the wrong path for me at the club. However, I still have a good six months still on my contract and hopefully I can settle in that time. If it doesn’t work out, I’ll just look to get some time somewhere else.”The former Dandy Town man believes a strong performance against Trinidad would give him renewed confidence that he can force his way into the Bradford first team.“The last time I went back I felt good as I got some good minutes under my belt so I’m sure I’ll go back feeling the same way this time around,” he said.“It was big boost for me to score against Barnet and I believe football is 80 percent confidence.“As a striker you need goals as they make you feel on top of the world. If I do score a goal or two against Trinidad it will do me the world of good.”