Jamshedpur: Stingy in defence and profligacy in-front of goal has been debutants Jamshedpur FC’s tale in the Indian Super League (ISL) so far. While they have conceded just two, they have been miserly while scoring, managing just two goals in the past seven encounters and coach Steve Coppell like most of fans of the ‘Men of Steel’ hoped his side retuned to netting goals. “The sooner, the better.”
“I hope (that we can score goals). I am exactly like every supporter who comes to games and am desperate to see the team score goals. It hasn’t happened so far but I am confident that we will score. It is a big priority for us,” said the Jamshedpur gaffer at the pre-match conference.
But what deserves praise is their defence that has shipped in just two goals. Led by the experienced duo of Tiri and Andre Bikey and with the Indian spiderman Subrata Paul guarding the post, Jamshepur’s defense has been ever tight. “You have to appreciate that defensively, we are strong,” said Coppell.
But finding the right balance between both attacks and defence is the way forward feels the former Manchester City coach – “The intent is there and the players are giving everything.”
Mumbai on the other hand are placed fifth with 13 points, the same as Goa on fourth, but having played a match more. Currently on a wining run of two matches the ‘Islanders’ will look to continue their run by what coach Alexandre Guimarães said “finding gaps.”
He was however cautious against Jamshedpur who he feels fights very hard to recover the ball and fill spaces in defence. But having thrashed a depleted Delhi Dynamos 4-0 Guimarães was hopeful that they will succeed once again.
“We have to understand that we have to work the game in a way to find gaps – it is difficult but I am glad that we did that in the last game, when we took profit of certain situations. That is important in these type of games,” he said.
The hard pitch of Jamshedpur has been under the scrutiny for all the wrong reasons this season but Coppell reiterated that his boys are ready to “play on anything.”