Jamshedpur FC

Jamshedpur, May 22: Head coach Owen Coyle has insisted the Men of Steel only need “that final bit of quality” to become genuine title contenders after concluding their campaign with a goalless draw against Odisha FC.

Reflecting on the season after Jamshedpur FC finished fifth with 22 points, Coyle admitted the side’s inability to convert chances consistently ultimately proved costly, despite the team dominating possession and creating numerous opportunities throughout the campaign.

“We had enough chances to score,” Coyle said. “Over the course of the season, there’s no getting away from it. We had probably more opportunities than most teams in the league. But we just lacked that final quality.”

The coach pointed out that Jamshedpur FC’s attacking approach consistently allowed the team to reach dangerous positions, but the final delivery and finishing often let them down.

“We always make chances. We get into the final third, we pass, we move, we attack,” he said. “But the quality of the cross, the quality of the final ball, and then the finishing touch and that’s the area we need to improve.”

Coyle also hinted strongly at changes to the squad structure ahead of next season, particularly in attack. Reiterating a point he had raised multiple times during the campaign, the coach emphasised the importance of having two foreign strikers in his preferred system.

“My make-up in a squad is always two foreign strikers,” he explained. “One can get injured, one might need rest, and you need competition and freshness in those positions. That’s important if you want to compete at the very top.”

However, Coyle expressed optimism about the foundations already in place at the club and highlighted several young players who impressed him during the season.

“You look at the young boys like Rosenberg, Puia, Nikhil Barla, Sanan, there are plenty of very good pieces moving forward,” he said. “Now it’s up to me to add that final bit of quality and bring my own flavour to the squad.”

Despite the frustration of narrowly missing out on a stronger finish in the title race, Coyle believes Jamshedpur FC remain well-positioned to build an even more competitive side for the future.

“There’s a lot of positives,” he said. “We work hard, we create chances, and the players always give everything. What we need now is to fine-tune the squad and add that extra quality in key moments.”
Coyle ended by thanking the supporters, who once again packed the Furnace for the final home match of the campaign.

“The fans were brilliant tonight,” he said. “They came in numbers and supported us throughout. We wanted to send them home smiling because we had enough chances to do that. We just needed that little bit of quality.”