We want to win but I'm not talking about revenge, says Scott Cooper ahead of Odisha FC game

Scott Cooper also shared some harsh thoughts on the Super Cup.

Jamshedpur FC will face Sergio Lobera’s high flying Odisha FC at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Friday. Both the teams are heading into the game after a win, but the season has been completely different for these two sides. The Juggernauts are among title contenders whereas the Men of Steel find themselves at the 10th position on the ISL table.

This will be the final challenge for Scott Cooper before the much awaited winter transfer window. The team is looking to revive the season, and they can’t afford to drop points.

Scott Cooper speaks about tomorrow’s game

Jamshedpur FC faced a narrow 1-0 defeat when they hosted Odisha FC at the Furnace. The manager was asked to share his thoughts on this upcoming clash.

“If tomorrow’s game turns out anything like the game in Jamshedpur, it will be a good football game. These are two teams that play the ball on the ground instead of in the clouds. I like the way Odisha FC and we play, so I think the fans who like football should watch the game, it should be a good game.”

He added, “Of course, we need the points, we feel we should have more points. Even the coach of Odisha FC said in the last game that we are a team that should have more points but the reality is we don’t.”

On Odisha FC

Odisha FC have been a force to reckon with under talisman tactician Sergio Lobera. Are Scott Cooper’s men looking for revenge in this reverse fixture? 

The manager commented, “It’s never personal. I’m not talking about revenge. Do we want to win? Yeah, we want to win because the defeat in Jamshedpur doesn’t mean that they will win this game too. It doesn’t mean we want revenge. It means both teams want three points. There’s a very good coach here. They’re good to watch because they possess the ball well. They’ve got a nice balance of play. It’s clear what the coach’s philosophy is. You can see it. I have to respect that.”

On team’s season so far

Jamshedpur FC’s 5-0 win against Hyderabad FC came as a statement victory. The team has looked good in patches but failed to close down games. 

The manager addressed the season up to now, “We had good performances and below expectations on the results. If we were to win the game tomorrow, we’d be up to six. I think we were able to take that because we’re still a developing team. There’s a lot of young players and players learning new positions. Media, fans, people inside our club, you have to be realistic. You have to look at what you’ve got. You just have to be honest and be realistic about not having the best team, young developing players.

“We know tomorrow, a win puts us to six, that’s a good spot. A reflection of tomorrow’s game, no matter what happens, we’ll still be the same. We’re showing some very good signs and good football. The points should have been a little bit more, but that’s sometimes football. You’ll come back. Hopefully, we can end on a good note,” he added.

On Super Cup

Scott Cooper doesn’t look very enthusiastic about the upcoming Super Cup and had some harsh thoughts about it.

The tactician said, “I don’t have much thought about the Super Cup. There’s an AFC place attached so we don’t have that problem. I didn’t even know that the Super Cup was going to be here until mid to late November, which to me is astonishing that it can be thrown together. Bengaluru, Mohun Bagan, and Mumbai have got players that won’t be there. They’ll all be in the Asian Cup. So, it’s a slight disadvantage on that basis, but that said, I don’t think anybody can grow.”

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