Simon Grayson: We respect every opponent but don't fear them

The Bengaluru FC boss heaped praise upon youngster Namgyal Bhutia during the session.

Battered and bruised but still full of confidence and spirit, Bengaluru FC take on East Bengal in a crucial encounter at the Salt Lake Stadium. BFC are eighth on the table with 10 points, while East Bengal are ninth with nine points and a game in hand. The last time these two sides faced each other, East Bengal emerged victorious through Cleiton Silva’s goal. BFC head coach Simon Grayson was joined by new signing Pablo Perez in the pre-match press conference.

Here is what they had to say.

Not being clinical in front of the goal

Fresh off a crushing 3-0 defeat at the hands of Hyderabad FC, Bengaluru’s bad luck in front of goal continues to haunt them. Grayson provided an honest assessment of the defeat and said, “My assessment of the last game was similar to what it was right after the game. We created good chances and worked hard out of possession and the only thing we did wrong was that we weren't clinical enough. We've got to keep improving. It's what we've been working on in training.

He added, "When you have opportunities, we've got to put them away. We have to be clinical and ruthless in both 18-yard boxes. It's frustrating when it doesn't work on the pitch, but we've just got to keep believing in each other and work hard on the training pitch and keep at it.”

Pablo Perez's preparedness to start the next fixture

Since signing for Bengaluru FC as Prince Ibara’s injury replacement, Pablo Perez has only made appearances from the bench. As the player is just returning from injury, Grayson reasoned, “I've said from day one that I don't want to rush him (Pablo) into the team, but at the end, I do want to rush him in because he's such a good player. Getting the balance between him being ready to start. He's worked really hard since he has been here.”

Silencing the opposition crowd and a return to the Salt Lake

East Bengal and Bengaluru FC have been involved in a fierce rivalry that always guarantees fireworks whenever the two teams clash. BFC return to the Salt Lake for the first time since winning the Durand Cup, and Simon Grayson believes Stephen Constantine always has a trick or two up his sleeve.

“When you play against teams that have a big following, it's got to inspire you. When you go out on that pitch, you have to do all you can to silence the crowd. We have to be positive with our approach, and not give the crowd the opportunity to make more noise. We're looking forward to going back to the ground where we have good memories.

"East Bengal will be much like us, frustrated at how the season's gone. They're more of a counter-attacking team and we have to do all we can to get back to winning. In football, things can change. Stephen Constantine might completely throw a curveball in and play something different. He might think we're 3-5-2 or 4-3-3. We're respectful of the opposition, no matter who we play, but we're not fearful.”

Rapidly improving Namgyal Bhutia

Grayson does not think that any of his players have reached the standards they are capable of, barring Namgyal Bhutia. He said, “If you ask me, and if we're being honest, as a group, I don't think any of the players have reached the standards of what they expect as individuals. Me as well, given where we are in the League. The one player who has stood out is Bhutia.

He added, "He's shown that he's a very good footballer, who can play in various positions. In the games that he has played, he has shown some good qualities and he's learning all the time. A lot of the young players have learned from the experience of not having an easy season.”

Positives from the last few games

Simon Grayson outlines the positives he had seen in the recent fixtures, and how it is crucial not to drop points further on the road to the playoffs. The Englishman said, "We've developed better in possession, created more chances, and we've been pleasing on the eye. We've got to now turn good performances into good wins. We're trying to win the next game, regardless of who we're playing. We've not been able to achieve back-to-back wins this year which can give us the confidence we need."

He added, "We don't like where we are at the moment. While the objective is achievable, we've got to believe that we can do it. As a staff, we have to get the balance right in terms of dealing with the players. A lot of it has to come down to individuals. They have to analyse their performances themselves. As a staff, we can be firm when we want to be and look after them when that's needed."

"In last week's game, we were confident and showed a desire to keep going till the very end. We never gave up on that game. I've been a manager and played in teams where at 2-0 down, with 10 minutes to go, your team gives up. These boys kept going, and that makes me proud.”

Perez's role in the team

Pablo Perez spoke about Javi’s influence on him and how he plans to help the team, “I'm very happy to be here. It's my first time outside Europe. It's a good team and this is a good city. I have great teammates and a good coach. Javi, especially, is helping me a lot being here. We have a really good team and I am enjoying playing with them. I hope to help the team to achieve victory through goals, assists, and good football. I hope to do as much as I can to achieve victories.”