John Gregory: I think the referee has made a huge mistake

The Chennaiyin FC boss also feels his side dominated the game in the second half but conceded two disappointing goals.

Following a disappointing defeat against FC Goa, Chennaiyin FC head coach John Gregory shared his insights into his side's opening match in the ISL 2019-20 season on Wednesday night. The Englishman rued the mistakes his side made, gifting the opposition the opportunity to get the ball in the back of the net.

“Three mistakes, really. I think we made three errors and we gifted three goals to the opposition and consequently missed quite a few chances ourselves to certainly get back into the game,” John Gregory opined.

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“I think the scoreline flattered Goa a little bit. They had a lot of possession, but most of it was in their own half of the field. In the second half, I thought we dominated the play. But, we gave away two bad goals in the second half and it cost us dearly,” the 65-year-old added.

Thoughts On The Referee

John Gregory also revealed that he felt his team were hard done by the referee. The tactician mentioned an instance as early as the 10th minute of the game, when Dragos Firtulescu found himself through on goal before being brought down by FC Goa's Seriton Fernandes.

“I've spoken to our media department who have had the opportunity of watching it again and again and again and it is a penalty again and again and again,” John Gregory voiced his opinion.

“I think the referee has made a huge mistake in not awarding us a penalty. Changes the game, you know,” he added.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2qsduC0ugI[/embed]

Watch: FC Goa Vs Chennaiyin FC highlights

Thoughts On FC Goa

John Gregory seemed reluctant to give the opposition too much of the credit for the game, but was quietly complimentary of Sergio Lobera, who had to make a number of tweaks to his side.

“You know they are always going to pass the ball. They are always going to keep the ball and to be fair, I think we dealt with that very well actually, in the first half. (Carlos) Pena and (Mourtada) Fall had a lot of the possession. But, it was always in their half of the field most of the time and they didn't really hurt us with the ball,” the Chennaiyin FC head coach said.

“Coro was playing a slightly different position tonight. He didn't really get in the game tonight. But, you always know that given opportunities, he'll take them,”  he added.

Thoughts On Sergio Lobera

“Obviously Sergio has had to move his team around a little tonight. But, the people who came in have justified their selection for him and they now give the coach a little bit of a headache, with regard to the next match,”  John Gregory further went on saying.

Prior to the season, John Gregory cited the under-performance of overseas players in the side as a major reason for his side's poor 2018-2019 campaign.

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The Englishman was questioned about all the new foreign faces in the first game of the season.

“It's not always easy when you put a team together. I spoke in the press the other day about how this Goa team has been together a long time. It's certainly helped Goa, having a very settled side," he began.

"We are just getting used to one another. I'm still getting used to them. I've had them now for just over six weeks and I'm getting used to what they can do and what they can't do and trying to get the right balance. It is not always that easy. I learnt a few more things about all my new signings tonight,” John Gregory concluded.