We need to be in our best against Bengaluru FC, says Owen Coyle

The tactician also praised the Blues' chemistry and unity as a team.

Jamshedpur FC will be looking to get back to winning ways after the heartbreak they suffered against FC Goa in their last match. However, the job of getting back in the groove will not be easy as the Men of Steel will be facing Bengaluru FC. Ahead of the game, head coach Owen Coyle interacted in the pre-match press conference.

Thoughts On Bengaluru FC

The tactician began with sharing his thoughts on Bengaluru FC and then continued to explain how his team has a bunch of great players, who can cause problems. "I think it is a very tough game for both the teams. Bengaluru FC are very well respected, a terrific coach, very good players and a very hardworking and organized team,” Owen Coyle opined. 

“But, it is a game we are looking forward to as we want to play against the best teams and the best players. We know we are at our very best and are capable of winning games as we have shown but we need to be our best against a team like Bengaluru FC,” he added. 

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Thoughts On Sunil Chhetri

"Bengaluru FC have many threats, they have individual threats with talented players both foreign and domestic. They have an outstanding captain in Sunil Chhetri who has been a terrific ambassador, for not only himself and his club but for Indian football,” the tactician remarked. 

“He (Chhetri) is definitely a threat along with Cleiton Silva, Dimas (Delgado) and Juanan who organises at the back, then the big Erik Partaalu whom I know well. So, their threat is as a group as they are very much united on and off the field and that is a fantastic characteristic to have at any club," Owen Coyle continued. 

Thoughts On Referees

The Men of Steel were deprived of a goal, which Brazilian midfielder Alex Lima scored against FC Goa. The shot from Lima struck the bar and crept in before bouncing out which was not seen by the linesman or the referee. As a result of the mistakes piling up, the league called for a meeting to discuss the matter. 

"The important thing is that the referees are up with a difficult task and we know that and what I was suggesting as one of the coaches is that we give them some help if possible,” he opined. 

ALSO READ: BFC boss Carles Cuadrat feels Jamshedpur deserve to have more points

“It is because everybody needs as nobody comes out to make mistakes before the game. But unfortunately in our case, we have been as a club severely punished by some of the things that have happened.” 

“That being said, we still have our destiny in our own hands and we have to make sure that we should do the things that are in our control and the players have been doing that. There are a few things that we need to get better at but if we continue to make progress, we are a team that can stand toe to toe with the best teams in ISL,” Owen Coyle quipped.

Plans For The Future

The Jamshedpur FC boss seemed confident that his players will turn around the result from the last game. Speaking about the future plans of the team management, Owen Coyle revealed how Tata and the club want to build a sustainable team that can compete at the top for years to come. 

"Just as we are doing, if you look at the game the other night (against FC Goa) it should have been seven games unbeaten (run). But, it was not to be, so we have to start another unbeaten run,” he said. 

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“We have made enormous strides, this is a team that struggled to win games towards the end of last season. This was never about a quick fix, a club like Jamshedpur FC and with Tata, you want to put something in place which can be savoured for years to come.” 

“We have had discussions and we certainly know and have a clear idea and vision of what we want to do and if we do that which we pretty sure will then you will see a team that will continue to improve with every year,” he continued.

ALSO READ: Preview: Bengaluru FC look to go back to winning ways against Jamshedpur FC

"Particularly with the young domestic players, because that is something that Jamshedpur FC and Tata are known for. We want to make sure that we build a good team but also we are giving back by giving young players an opportunity.” 

“When I see young players I don't mean only players who are starting on the team, I mean the players at the club, at Jharkhand - to give them the opportunity to fall in love with this wonderful football club," the Scotsman added. 

Injury Concerns

Owen Coyle also revealed how the injured Jamshedpur FC players are gradually getting back in shape but they still need time to be available for action. "It is the same as before, they are still injured. I have to say this that the staff are working very hard and we are starting to get them back on the training field but quite there yet.” 

“They are doing a lot of individual stuff, bit by bit they are getting better. Joyner (Lourenco) came back into the bench in the last match, he has trained really well so it is terrific to have someone of that quality back available in the squad. While Nick Fitzgerald and Narender Gahlot are improving,” he signed off.

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