Jose Molina highlights on potential striker rotation and Vishal Kaith's importance ahead of Kerala Blasters clash

Jose Molina was also impressed by the performance of the players.

Jose Molina’s Mohun Bagan are eager to maintain their winning run in the Indian Super League (ISL) when they meet a shaky Kerala Blasters side on Saturday (December 14) at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata.

The Mariners are coming into the match on the back of an impressive three-game winning run. With the matches coming thick and fast, Jose Molina can’t be blamed for wanting to swap some of his players – especially in perhaps replacing Jamie Maclaren and giving Jason Cummings a starting role against the Tuskers.

When asked about this before the match, the gaffer stated: “Well, that could be an option. I’m always trying to put in the best possible lineups thinking about our game plan. That is what I’m good at. Jason Cummings could start, sure. He has the quality and the talent and is a great player.

“But I have to make decisions. We only have four foreigners in the starting lineups. Maclaren started in the last matches and Cummings scored from the bench, and that could perhaps change against Kerala Blasters,” Jose Molina also added.

Vishal Kaith has been in amazing form for the Mariners, picking five clean sheets already so far this season. Molina was asked if he has any contingency plans in place if Kaith was to get injured, suspended, or lose form for Mohun Bagan, to which he answered: “Vishal Kaith is our no.1 now. He has played all the games. We have three more goalkeepers in the squad and any of them can play if necessary or if Vishal isn’t performing in the same way. During the season, we’ve had 10 matches so far.

“The first nine matches, Ashique Kuruniyan didn’t play in the starting XI and didn’t play as a full-back before he did that against NorthEast United. You could see how well he played in the last match as a full-back. That, in my opinion, was great. If something was to happen to Kaith, I expect the same from any goalkeepers I have in my squad,” Jose Molina added.

Mohun Bagan will aim to make it four wins on the trot with a victory over Kerala Blasters and also pick up their fourth successive clean sheet in the ISL.

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