Can Suhail Bhat help solve predictability issues in Mohun Bagan’s misfiring attacking force?

Mohun Bagan SG will face Punjab FC next

Mohun Bagan have started experiencing serious issues when it comes to scoring goals in their recent 2025-26 Indian Super League (ISL) campaign. The Mariners have only picked up two points from their last three matches, but what is even more of a worry is that they’ve only been able to score one single goal in that period.

The Mariners, obviously, had a thrilling start to the campaign as they scored 14 goals in their first four matches of the campaign. Everything was going swimmingly well for Sergio Lobera’s side before their opponents recognised their attacking pattern and started shielding themselves appropriately to neutralise Mohun Bagan’s threat.

The Kolkata giants have been very inefficient in terms of scoring goals and have been very predictable in recent games. It’s perhaps time for Lobera to switch things up to ensure that his side can get back to firing on all cylinders and score goals more consistently. Fortunately for him, he has one special weapon in the form of young forward Suhail Bhat, who hasn’t even been properly used so far in this season.

Bhat is coming off the back of a pretty solid 2026 U-23 Tri-Nations Series, where he scored two goals for the Blue Colts! Suhail has, strangely, not been used for a single ISL match despite being on the Mohun Bagan bench in all their matches! Lobera has a player who can definitely recharge his attacking line, as here we look at how Bhat’s presence can help solve the predictability problems being faced by Mohun Bagan’s frontline.

3. Ability to drag defenders out of natural positions

It’s quite realistic that Suhail Bhat can’t really expect to start matches in the 2025-26 ISL because of the quality of forwards up in the pecking order.

However, there is no harm in Sergio Lobera starting to start giving him chances as a substitute, especially in matches where Mohun Bagan need goals, as they have in their last three games. Suhail is more than just a box striker, because he thrives in dragging defenders out of their comfort zone with his clever off-the-ball movement.

He is a really energetic presence in the frontline, as recently proven with his heroics against Bhutan U-23 in the U-23 Tri-Nations series. Suhail can help pose a bigger threat to the opposition defenders because of the clever runs he makes in the final third, potentially opening up goal-scoring chances for his teammates and enhancing Mohun Bagan’s chances of scoring late goals.

2. Added creative threat

The good thing about Suhail Bhat is that he isn’t just a one-trick pony in terms of how he can perform in the opposition half when his side is on the attack. The young forward can also be a pretty significant threat when outside the penalty area, in terms of helping set up chances for his teammates.

As proven with his impressive assist in the U-23 Tri Nations Series against Bhutan U23 recently, Bhat has improved his creative qualities to be a more all-round forward for his side.

When Mohun Bagan are in desperate need of goals, they can rely on Suhail as a substitute to not only potentially put away chances, but also to move into other dangerous zones in the final third and set up opportunities for his teammates with clever final third passes and crosses.

1. Element of surprise inside the penalty area

What can help Suhail Bhat stand out from the rest of the Mohun Bagan substitutes is that he can bring a real sense of element of surprise in the opposition box. While players like Kiyan Nassiri and Sahal Abdul Samad, often being used as impact substitutes, are normally those who thrive outside the box in creating chances,

Suhail is someone whose best qualities are inside the area. The young Indian forward has that eye for goals, where he can read the attacking pattern of his teammates really well and be able to position himself in the right areas to finish off chances.

When Mohun Bagan are in desperate need of goals, Lobera can potentially take off one of his midfielders and slot Suhail to the frontline – because the young forward knows how to get to the end of chances and efficiently finish them off.

With Mohun Bagan desperately craving for goals from substitutes, it might be high time for them to rely on Suhail to bring that added pressure in the attacking front and help them score more late goals.

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