Some players should be very concerned in January window, claims Scott Cooper

Scott Cooper was furious of the attitude displayed by Jamshedpur FC players against Bengaluru FC.

Jamshedpur FC faced a narrow 1-0 defeat to hosts Bengaluru FC in a scrappy game at the Kanteerva Stadium. The game was decided by a penalty that was calmly put in the back of the net by Javi Hernandez. This defeat marked the fifth loss in the last six games for Scott Cooper and team. Frustrated by the game, the Jamshedpur FC manager made some bold remarks in the post-match press conference.

Thoughts on the game

“It wasn’t a great football game honestly. A penalty decided today’s game,” the coach started furiously. 

He continued, “Bengaluru surprised me because they were playing only long balls. It was like watching a tennis game. I was expecting a bit more football from them. Their chances came from second balls, long balls. It was like watching an English third division team. From our perspective we did try to pass more, we did try to play with our philosophy.”

What went wrong?

Despite playing good football, Jamshedpur FC never looked threatening in front of goal except the 10-minute spell at the end. When Scott Cooper was asked to explain what went wrong in the game, he asserted, “What’s missing is some players with the real desire to win. It’s a question of tactics, it comes down to how much you want to win.”

“Successful teams don’t always have the most blessed players, but they have the drive to win. And I am searching for those players in our football club. We have got some but we don’t have enough. In the January transfer window, some players should be very concerned. I am not here to make friends.”

On Emil Benny’s substitution

Emil Benny came on as a substitute in the second half of the game. And, surprisingly, he was later taken off for Nongdamba Naorem. The coach was asked to comment whether it was a tactical change or was there any injury concern.

“When you come on and you don’t look sharp and remember stuff more than anybody else I will run him out. There was no injury, he is a young player. We are trying to develop him, he came in and was slow to start,” he mentioned.

Plans for winter transfer window

Scott Cooper repetitively mentioned how harsh the upcoming transfer window is going to be for some players at the club. He said, “In the January window, we have to ask really hard questions to our team. The players can’t complain, they had 10 games. We have got quality but talent needs to work hard. If players don’t work hard, they won’t last in football. We need to see who is willing to go that extra yard.”

“Manzorro and Elsinho tried to do something in the game. Tachikawa and Imran came on and tried. We need to draw a line to list the players and start thinking about January,” he added.

On Chima’s season 

Daniel Chima Chukwu is the club’s all-time top goal-scorer but this season he has been lacked that lusture throughout. The striker hasn’t been among goals for quite some time now. 

The tactician was asked to comment on the season he is having. He stated, “The strain of creating chances, probably, has got him. Steve Ambri is injured and Alen Stevanovic is more of an attacking midfield player so it all falls on his shoulder. He is a good guy and works hard. But he just needs that assistance and support. We can’t put everything on him. I don’t need to tell Chima; he wants goals too!”

What’s next in the season?

With one win in 10 games a comeback looks too optimistic for a chaotic Jamshedpur FC side. The manager was asked to clear out some clouds on the team’s chances of any rebound. 

He asserted, “I am still learning the ISL, my Indian players and still baffled by the lack of VAR. The good thing is we have two games left (before the break) and we can address it aggressively. Our fans and owners deserve better. The support they give after every game, even on a losing streak, is unbelievable from football owners.”

“We will go to Hyderabad next. Not even a draw, we will have to win that game,” Scott Cooper concluded.

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