Indian Super League 2020-21: Five things we learned in Gameweek 9

SC East Bengal bagged their first win of the season after defeating Odisha FC 3-1.

Another week of Indian Super League (ISL) action started with Jamshedpur FC's statement win over Bengaluru FC, as the Men of Steel entered the top four. However, it was not the best of results for ATK Mohun Bagan, as they shared the spoils with Chennaiyin FC. 

Meanwhile, FC Goa left it late to score twice and win a very crucial match against Hyderabad FC, while Mumbai City continued their momentum with a professional performance against Kerala Blasters. 

Here are the major talking points from Gameweek 9 of the Indian Super League:

5. Are Jamshedpur FC genuine playoffs contenders?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdifCGbDsm4

Jamshedpur FC have been very consistent with their performances this season. Owen Coyle's arrival at the club is already proving transformational. The club as a whole is more cohesive and looks like a team that would not go down without a fight. Apart from the odd bad game and some poor decisions from the referees, the Men of Steel have shown nerves of steel this season and that was reflected in their last win against Bengaluru. 

It was a cagey affair where both sides had numerous chances to break the deadlock, but they squandered them. In the second half, Jamshedpur were a more solid unit, as they did not allow the Blues to dictate the tempo of the game. However, the goal still eluded them until the 79th minute, when Stephen Eze headed the ball past Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, which was enough to propel Coyle's men into the top four. 

With numerous players like David Grande, Nicholas Fitzgerald, Joyner Lourenco and Narender Gahlot coming back to fitness, Jamshedpur FC are expected to only get better from here and look like they are on the way to breaking their playoffs hoodoo. 

4. Should Csaba Laszlo consider a radical approach to end the team's goalscoring struggles?

Chennaiyin FC have an interesting problem in their ranks. They play a brand of attacking football with high intensity and have players to support that gameplay. However, despite creating a flurry of chances they have been unable to capitalize on them. On the other hand, Jakub Sylvestr is someone who is fluffing his lines and has not been the talismanic goalscorer which Nerijus Valskis was last season. Yet, the Slovak brings others into the game and helps a lot in build-up play. 

Sylvestr has been a crucial player who has complimented Rafael Crivellaro well in opening up defences, it is just that the 31-year-old needs to score more goals. It is a unique problem for head coach Csaba Laszlo, as most of his attacking players have not found the net consistently. 

The tactician may look to take a different approach and tinker with his formation, where he may add Esmael Goncalves to the starting lineup. Also, Crivellaro can be given a more advanced role with the likes of Anirudh Thapa and Deepak Tangri taking more responsibility at the back. They would also like to incorporate youngster Rahim Ali, who has an eye for goal and has already scored twice this season. 

3. Lack of experience hampering Hyderabad FC's game-management?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTbinRzxtxU

From being one of the playoffs challengers to registering three back-to-back defeats, the tables have turned for Hyderabad FC. The Nizams have built a team around their young Indian core and the youngsters have done really well till now. But, in the last couple of matches, it seems that Manolo Marquez's men are struggling to see out matches and are conceding late goals. They conceded twice against FC Goa, in a game where they had the lead for the majority of the time. It happened in their match against Kerala Blasters too. While in search of an equaliser, they pushed bodies forward and that allowed the Blasters to score a late second goal. 

The Nizams have conceded late goals this season and it is down to the inexperience in their ranks. If Manolo Marquez manages to sort things out in the next couple of fixtures, then things will improve. Their foreign players are also getting back to full fitness and will be crucial in their race for a playoffs spot. But, there will be question marks on their game-management skills.

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2. Race for AFC Champions League spot between Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan?

While ATK Mohun Bagan could only manage a draw against Chennaiyin FC, Mumbai City responded with a 2-0 win over Kerala Blasters. Currently, it looks like the fight for the Champions League spot will be between these two sides. However, teams like Bengaluru FC, Jamshedpur FC and even FC Goa are only a slip away from the two sides and will pose a bigger threat, as the teams enter the business end of the competition. 

Sergio Lobera's men were very professional in the way they defeated the Blasters. They could have scored more goals in the first half, but failed to take their chances. The second half was dominated by the Blasters, but the Islanders were solid as a unit. 

1. Is Stuart Baxter right to refrain from signing players in the January transfer window?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tIcxK9fXHts

Stuart Baxter has relied heavily on his foreign players till now and despite their loss against SC East Bengal, the English tactician has decided not to bring in reinforcements. Looking at the condition of the Juggernauts this season, some signings in the January transfer window would have been of massive help and who knows, could have boosted the morale of the team. 

Odisha FC have not registered Senegalese defender Diawondou Diagne for the current campaign and they could have easily brought in a fresh face as their seventh foreigner. Also, Marcelinho has not been in the best form or shape after joining the team, so Baxter could have even taken a call on him. While teams in the bottom half of the table like Kerala Blasters and SC East Bengal are still looking to find ways to solve their problems, Odisha have chosen a path which leads to nowhere.