Bigger the league, the better, says Aidy Boothroyd on promotion of I-League winners

The tactician shed light on the availability of players ahead of the Hyderabad FC game.

Jamshedpur FC will aim to gain some positive result out of the fixture against Hyderabad FC. The team has had a shaky start to the campaign and will look to get back the momentum before it’s too late. Aidy Boothroyd and his men are very much aware of the threat against the Nizams. Undoubtedly they will give their all on the pitch and we can witness some entertaining duels in the game too. 

Here are some excerpts from the pre-match press conference where Jay Emmanuel-Thomas joined with the head coach.

Injury Updates

Aidy Boothroyd started with an update about the injured players and informed, “Eli is injured and he should be back within 2-3 weeks.” He also answered frequent questions asking about the game time of summer signing Jay Emmanuel Thomas. 

“We have been waiting to unleash this guy for a while. So he has the chance of playing tomorrow,” he commented.

Mistakes in the last game

Head coach Aidy was asked to explain what went wrong against FC Goa in the last game. The team looked ineffective in the first half and couldn’t score in the second one as well. 

He started, “After thirty minutes we were 2-0 back. Whatever strategy we had, couldn’t be applied and we were in a position to chase the game. At the same time not conceding three, four or five goals. I think sometimes you get the results and performances that are really cool. FC Goa are a good team and you have to give credit to your opponents.”

He continued, “Strategically what went wrong, we didn’t do what we were supposed to for the first 12 minutes of the game. And I was pleased with the second half. I was quite irritated with the result, considering the work and efforts that goes in from the players and the staff.”

Also Read: Preview: Vibrant Hyderabad FC seek first-ever win over shaky Jamshedpur FC

Pressure before the electrifying game

Jamshedpur FC and Hyderabad FC were last season's League Shield and ISL Trophy winners, respectively. This is the first time they are meeting since the game when Jamshedpur FC thrashed the Nizams' dreams of winning the shield. So, Aidy Boothroyd was asked to comment on the pressure they are feeling before this high profile battle.

“The pressure is in every game, in every training session and in everything I did with the team. Because we need to contain the pressure. I think every club is different. Hyderabad have been together for three years. Despite being the Shield winners, we are a different team (now) with different players, different coach and have lost 2-3 players to other clubs,” he asserted.

“We are rebuilding while moving forward. So I don’t think there is any more pressure in any of the games. We will prepare properly, we will make sure to have a game plan,” he added.

On I-League winners’ promotion

The manager also shared his views on the recent news of promotion of I-League winners to the Indian Super League from the 2023-24 season.

“I think it’ll help in the growth of Indian football. The bigger the league, the better it will be. Personally, we have played against I-League teams and they are very competitive. It will be better for Indian young players if we have a league of 20 teams. They will get to play more competitive games.”

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas on motivating JFC youngsters

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, who accompanied Aidy Boothroyd to the press conference, was asked to acknowledge how he motivates and guides the younger players in the squad with his experience of professional football. “I try to give them general information by my side and constructive criticisms in some areas,” he asserted. 

"I am excited to be involved in the game. And for us, it is great to have a home game after the defeat. It feels a lot better to play in front of your fans after the last performance,” Emmanuel-Thomas exclaimed about the game against Hyderabad FC.