Owen Coyle: I thought Anirudh Thapa was outstanding tonight

The Chennaiyin FC boss also believes he has not seen a better Indian central midfielder in the league than the 22-year-old.

Chennaiyin FC completed a resounding win over Jamshedpur FC on Thursday night to go within striking distance of Odisha FC in the standings. The club has seen an upturn in their fortunes in recent weeks since Owen Coyle has taken control of the team. Goals from Nerijus Valskis, Andre Schembri and Lallianzuala Chhangte saw the Marina Machans take away the three points.

The Chennaiyin head coach, Owen Coyle was understandably pleased with his side’s performance against a solid Jamshedpur side.

“We knew it would be a tough game and it was a tough game. They have very good attacking players,” he began.

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“That being said, we always knew to be very respectful of the quality they had, but we knew that the game was about us. If we got to the level of performance that we have been lately, then we feel that we are capable of winning games, scoring goals, entertaining,” Owen Coyle added.

“We scored two goals, (in the first half), could have had a few more with some great chances and also Jamshedpur had opportunities. I thought the game was end-to-end, a real feast of attacking football. In many ways we were not going to change how we play. We are very attack-minded and with that comes a bit of risk,” the Englishman further went on to say.

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Owen Coyle, however, was less pleased with the period in the second half that led to Jamshedpur FC’s goal, costing his side the clean-sheet.

“My only bit I would suggest I wasn’t happy with was the ten minutes in the second half, in the build-up to their goal. We never showed the same intensity that we had been showing and allowed the pace to come off the game and allowed them some possession.”

“We loved the game, the atmosphere was brilliant. We certainly enjoyed what we did in the game, but we have to make sure that we are ready to do that again,” the tactician added.

Thoughts On Anirudh Thapa

Coyle was quizzed regarding Anirudh Thapa. The midfielder was in scintillating form throughout the match, winning the midfield battle for his side.

“He is such a consistent performer. I think, the seven games that I have had, Thapa is an integral part of what we do. Thapa, tonight, defensively was brilliant, his passing, running with the ball, everything about his game. I thought he was outstanding tonight,” he said.

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“I’ve not seen a better central midfielder in the league, an Indian central midfielder. He has to keep maintaining that, because that’s how you become a top player,” Owen Coyle opined.

The Chennaiyin FC boss also spoke about Germanpreet Singh, who was missing from the starting lineup against Jamshedpur FC and was replaced by Edwin Vanspaul in midfield.

“German wasn’t fit for tonight. German picked up a little niggly hamstring injury. He should be okay for Kerala (Blasters),” Owen Coyle concluded.