Jamshedpur FC

With kick off to Jamshedpur FC’s first fixture imminent, Head Coach, Owen Coyle talks about the preparations, challenges faced and his thoughts on his former team in the pre-match press conference.

On the biggest challenge for the team in the opening fixture

The biggest challenge is going to be Chennaiyin FC. They are a very good side and I know that quite well. I think there are lots of challenges in the situation we find ourselves in (with the pandemic and quarantine). But, the most important thing is the game of football. But, the important thing is that football is being played again and it is bringing a smile on everyone’s faces. The Chennaiyin side have some wonderful players and I personally know them really well. Equally, we have some real good talent in Jamshedpur FC as well, and we are all set for the tough opening match and are looking forward to it immensely.

On the strengths of the Jamshedpur squad this season

Well, obviously it is very early to say. In the previous seasons, we got almost 6 weeks of training before the season commenced, but there have been time restrictions in the pre-season this year. Our training period got cut down to 3 weeks. So, we understood, the more we work and play together, the more improvement will come out of the time we had on our hands. Regardless, we have worked to be an offensive and a more attacking team and that will be dictated by how well the opposition team is going to be. The lads will be looking forward to passing the ball around, creating as many chances as possible and ultimately try to score goals to win the upcoming matches.

On the difficulties in preparations for the season under bio-bubble

I think the difficulties have almost been the same for all the teams this season, it has been a challenge and there is no denying that. The important thing is, as I said, that the league is up and running, but we did have some time constraints this season. The reduced pre-season caused a little difficulty, because our job is to get the players to a reasonable level of fitness, so that they could do justice to themselves and the fans in the games ahead and that is normally possible with the extended period of training time. So, to balance the level of fitness and physicality while ensuring the players are not picking up any injuries before the season commences, was a really big challenge for us.

On the availability of the entire squad for the first fixture

We do have a couple of injured players who will not be able to play in the first game and that is something that all the teams have to deal with. Keeping that in mind, we also have to focus on the players that are fit and available to play the first fixture, to make sure we are on our top forms and give our 100% right from the beginning of the season. Chennaiyin FC have a very strong set of players and their manager, Csaba Laszlo, is really good and knows his football well, but, as I said, the boys of Jamshedpur are geared up to face them in the first game of the season.

Thoughts on your former team (Chennaiyin FC) as your opponent

Chennaiyin FC will undoubtedly be a major force in the league this season. I know Csaba Laszlo really well and he is a lovely guy and a fantastic coach. He knows he has inherited some amazing players on his side - domestic as well as some strong foreign signings. They have the experience of being one of the top teams in the league and they will be a major contender for the play-offs this season. The boys are looking forward to going head to head with them and showcase the true potential of the team.

On Valskis being under your coaching last season and this season as well

I think it is always a pleasure when you have a natural goal-scorer in your squad. He is the golden boot winner of last season for a reason and none of those goals have been scored from the penalty spot, which really shows how excellent of a player he is. The important thing is that he will create opportunities for the team because when you have talents like him on the field, they thrive on chances. Valskis is a tremendous addition to Jamshedpur FC and he is not just a goal scorer, he is also a dedicated team-oriented player.  So, we will look to seize the most out of the opportunities and score as many goals as possible.

On having an advantage over Chennaiyin FC as a former coach of the team

Well, I would not say it is an advantage over them. I think we are aware of their strengths but it is a challenge as well. I always felt that when you come up against your former team players that played remarkably well for you, they would want to show that they are still the exceptional players you believed they were. We at Jamshedpur, are very respectful of their abilities and skills. The Chennaiyin FC boys are really humble, hard-working and fantastic players and the same goes for the players at Jamshedpur FC as well. I love these qualities in a player which are especially inherited in Indian players. There is no doubt, it is going to be an interesting game with two very offensive teams going head to head. We, as a team, have to make sure we come out on the right side of the margins at the end of the match and acquire those 3 points at home.

On Stephen Eze and Nick Fitzgerald playing the first match

Obviously, with Nick and Eze having their visas and travelling periods delayed, their quarantine period ended late as compared to the other players. Regardless of the situation, they both have been training really well as they are quite fit and healthy and have also been a part of the team in the practice matches as well. It depends on the next couple of days of training whether they will be a part of the starting 11 for the first match.

Message for the fans

Thank you very much for your understanding, unwavering support and heart-warming messages this year, as well as in the previous seasons as the stadiums were always packed with fans. They were really vocal while the matches were in action. We hope to do our best this season and give you a team to be proud of.