Have improved as a team in our defensive function: Punjab FC coach Staikos Vergetis

Youngster Nitesh Darjee also shared his experience at club.

Currently second bottom side Punjab FC return home to Delhi to play current second best side Kerala Blasters FC in their 10th game of the ISL. Punjab FC are yet to taste victory ever since becoming the first side to be promoted in the country’s top level football league. The home side have shown improvement in  the last few games and would aim for the first three points against injury ridden Kerala Blasters.

The away side will also miss head coach Ivan Vukomanovic who has been banned for his comments on the referees after FC Goa game. Staikos Vergetis and young defender Nitesh Darjee spoke to the media earlier in the afternoon and here are the excerpts of the conversation,

Thoughts on the game 

The tactician shared his thoughts on the fixture and stated, “The thoughts are that we have to execute with discipline all the concepts that we have prepared for this game. I’m very happy seeing my players in the last game to be more faith and more effective in the plan. And I’m waiting that they will continue the same. We play against a very strong opponent with very good players.”

“But we have improved as a team in our defensive function. We need a little more in our offensive style of game. But I believe that we will make one step up in the tomorrow game in our performance,” he added.

Mental aspect of the squad

Ever since the promotion, Staikos Vergetis side have not experienced a victory, when questioned how does he keep his side going despite the results, he answered, “I try to keep my players concentrated in their work in the field. And they are doing well, even though they are youngsters, as Nitescu is here also. The most important is the player to have in his mind when he is playing his tactical tasks and to try to execute them in the 100%.“

“Even though we have a lot of youngsters, of without a lot of experienced players, they are doing well in this issue. I think that we have played until now some bad moments, some individual mistakes, but I cannot say that it’s lack of concentration. It’s experience, lack of experience more,” he said

Nitesh Darjee’s comments

Nitesh Darjee was a summer recruit acquired by Punjab FC. Nitesh represented Sudeva Delhi in the I-league in the previous season and was happy to be back in Delhi again. “t was tough for me in the beginning of the season to adapt but with the help of coaches and my team members I have become better. We hope for a very good performance against a top side like Kerala. I am happy to be back in Delhi where I played last season,” he commented. 

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