Jamshedpur FC still a work in progress, states Aidy Boothroyd

The former League Shield winners are yet to salvage their first ISL 2022-23 victory.

Jamshedpur FC played out a highly electrifying draw against Mumbai City FC in the crucial away game. The game was evenly poised throughout and the Men of Steel could’ve won all three points. But the coach was satisfied with the draw and is optimistic about the season moving forward. The manager Aidy Boothroyd attended the post match press conference where he discussed the team’s set-piece strategies and approach for the game.

Here are the takeaways from it.

Thoughts on the game

“It is a really good result because the opposition (MCFC) are a good team with a good coach. We needed to have a game plan for the evening which was a success in the end because we managed to stop them from playing their game and get ourselves some chances towards the end where we would have had all three points,” the coach started with his thoughts on the game.

Aidy Boothroyd continued, “But, if you get a point away from home and three at home then that is going to put us in a strong position. Considering how we lost our last game, I was very delighted to have seen this one out and think we deserved it.”

Specific set-piece strategies

Jamshedpur FC have always been a deadly team from set-pieces. Last season it was through Greg Stewart’s talismanic left foot. And now in his absence, Aidy seems to have found the solution. Long throws and free-kicks targeting players like Eli Sabia, Daniel Chima and Harry Sawyer look to fill the void. The tactician was asked to comment on the specific strategy for the dead ball situations.

Also Read:

• Jamshedpur FC frustrate Mumbai City to return with a point
• Ratings: Resolute Jamshedpur FC defence thwarts Mumbai City
• Des Buckingham fumes over second half penalty denial after draw

“We work on our set piece strategies as we have got good long throw and free-kick specialists. It can be an added weapon and we do work on it all the time in the training ground. When you come away to clubs like these and play against a team of such great quality then we have to keep it quiet because there is always a chance from a set play,” asserted the head coach.

On keeping Greg Stewart quiet

Last season’s Golden Ball winner for Jamshedpur FC, Greg Stewart was a severe threat for Aidy and the boys. But as the game progressed Greg was seen dropping deep continuously. And that should be a win for the talisman's former team. 

“Mumbai City do have a lot of good players but we certainly made it frustrating for every single one of them out there. And I will give a great compliment to how my players defended while keeping a man on him (Stewart) constantly and quiet him down throughout the game as we know how difficult he can be for a player to play against. Thankfully, it was not a fairy-tale ending for Stewart. But a very professional performance from us,” commented the manager on the former player.

Aidy Boothroyd signed off by saying, “ We are still a work in progress. It is a new dawn for Jamshedpur FC. We want to keep building on the top work that has already been done.”