I prefer current players to improve their game instead of bringing in new players, says Staikos Vergetis

Staikos Vergetis demands improvement from Punjab FC in the attacking third.

A high-spirited Punjab FC took on an in-form Odisha FC at their adopted home, Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in New Delhi. Sergio Lobera’s men left the field victorious thanks to Roy Krishna’s strike in the 21st minute of the game. The match was dominated by Odisha FC in the first half as they gave no room to the Punjab FC players to break in. In the second half, the home side was able to make it to the attacking third quite a few times but lacked execution.

Thoughts on today’s game

Odisha FC left no room in the first half but the home side made a comeback (in terms of performance) in the second half. Head coach Staikos Vergetis said, “I believe that the second half was the same like the Chennaiyin FC game. In the first half of the game, they were pressing very high from the centre and they didn’t allow us to break through it. We tried to create attacks from the flanks. In the second half, we had better possession. Our main problem was that we entered the attacking third many times but our team lacked execution.”

On lacking execution in the attacking third

Though the team performed defensively well, the attacking department of Punjab FC needs to worked upon. “It depends on the players, their skills and the talent they have. Unlike a defensive mindset where one can plan it out, while attacking, the players act according to the situation and therefore it solely depends on their skill and talent,” the tactician commented on their lacking of execution in the attacking third during the second half of the game.

Thoughts on first half of ISL till now

When quizzed about their journey till now in the ISL, the Punjab FC boss replied, “I have said to the boys in the dressing room that no one in the team is happy with the results. But apart from our game against Chennaiyin, in all the other matches, we have achieved our first goal – that is we have been competitive. No opponent found it easy to win against us.”

He added, “Secondly, to make one structure of the game including all the three phases, I think that in defending and in the midfield we have improved a lot. Apart from the attacking third, the other two phases have improved significantly. The attacking phase needs more improvement. Youngsters who haven’t played earlier gained experience and this will help them perform well in the second half of the competition.”

Thoughts on January Transfer Window

The January transfer window is coming up and every team has got some plans in store for themselves. “It won’t be easy to make transfers in the January transfer window. The good players are playing in their teams. As a coach, I am only used to make one or two crucial transfers like we did last time. I prefer the current players to keep working hard to improve their game instead of bringing in new players,” Staikos Vergetis cleared his perspective on the January transfer window.

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