Aidy Boothroyd calls for aggression which JFC showed against East Bengal

The Jamshedpur FC head coach also heaped praise upon winger Ritwik Das.

Jamshedpur FC will host Bengaluru FC at the furnace in their next ISL 2022-23 home game. Both the teams have performed below par this season, but are coming off with some confidence boosting wins in their recent matches. Unlike the guests, Aidy Boothroyd's side are not likely to compete for the playoffs. Meanwhile, they certainly want to finish as high as possible.

Aidy Boothroyd is well aware of the downfall the team has seen during their rebuilding season. He reflected on finishing on a high note in the pre-match press conference here at Jamshedpur. Here are the excerpts from the same.

On the win against East Bengal

The head coach started off by elaborating his thoughts on last week's win. It was Jamshedpur FC's first win after a winless run of 10 games.

“The win against East Bengal was very satisfying. We've been very close to winning especially at home but to score in the way we did in the last few minutes of the game meant we just kept pushing and pushing and we have to use that aggression through the game which we haven't been doing. We've been lacking in confidence but I saw renewed confidence and maturity and we were well worth the three points,” he said.

On team selection

Aidy Boothroyd has made quite some changes in the line-up in recent games. The mentor has trusted younger players and was asked specifically about benching TP Rehenesh.

“I'm in a very good and difficult position because I have one very experienced goalkeeper in TP Rehenesh who has done very well and had a good career and another who is very young and has exceptional gifts especially his mindset which is very focused and it's a nice problem to have.”

The coach also heaped praises on this season’s joint top-scorer Ritwik Das. He mentioned, “Delighted with Ritwik Das and his three goals in two games. They were different goals as well, one with a dribble and next was with a header. So that was great to see. He was brave to get on the end of the cross and win the game for us.”

On expectations ahead

Jamshedpur FC have just one win at the furnace and have failed to deliver to the expectations of the loyal Red Miners. The coach thanked the fans for their constant support, as they have had their backs both during the happy and the hard times.

“The crowd will have the same expectations as me. Everyone likes a winning team and won that works for each other and the supporters know that. We have to keep doing what we're doing, push hard and win every game especially at home and then I think crowds will come back because they want to see the win as I do," he concluded.