"We have good, young players," says Juan Ferrando before Jamshedpur FC game

The FC Goa gaffer is hopeful of his side improving with each game in terms of performance.

With the first half of the Indian Super League (ISL) season done and dusted, Juan Ferrando and his steadily poised FC Goa will be looking to hold on to the fourth position they currently occupy. The Spaniard and midfielder Edu Bedia addressed the media ahead of the crucial game against Jamshedpur FC

Improved Performance

Jamshedpur caused several problems for Goa last time around and they would be looking to take pointers from the reverse fixture. “Jamshedpur is a very good team with very good players. For us, the target is to improve game-by-game. Of course, we try to find our mistakes and work on it. It is a new chapter in the end. We are working every day to improve some details in defence and attack. We don’t want to repeat the same mistakes against Jamshedpur," Juan Ferrando said.

Treating Jamshedpur as a unit

Despite the enormous threat from several individual players, Ferrando prefers to conquer Coyle’s side as a team rather than making it an individual tussle. “I believe in my players. It is one plan to play against one team and not for individual players. For us, the most important is to play like a team and to prepare the plan against one team, in this case against Jamshedpur.”

Edu Bedia on his roles

FC Goa skipper Edu Bedia used to have an advanced role under Sergio Lobera before settling for a deeper position under Ferrando. “To be honest, I have been comfortable playing both positions. I can play both as a No.8 and a No.6. But, speaking from a personal perspective, I prefer to play as a 6, because I would be able to control the game a bit more and have more touches of the ball. I had previously played higher up the pitch, but I am pretty comfortable playing as a pivot.”

Mentoring youngsters and helping them improve

The captain has also seen the immense potential with youngsters in the squad and plays a key role in helping them to develop into fine players. “With young players, I don’t think it is necessary to motivate them, because they are young and hungry to show their talent. The key message I try to convey to them is that they should not be afraid to show their personality on the pitch and not be afraid to make mistakes.”

Mid-Season Review

Fourth place after 10 games is a decent return, but the tactician feels that the team has more potential and it is important to keep winning. “Our target is to get three points every game. Of course, in the first round, we are not completely happy with ourselves. But now, it is very important to take it game-by-game. Tomorrow, we have an important game and we need to get three points. It is very important to focus on the present game and the three points.”

Development of young players

Time and again, Juan Ferrando has indicated that the schedule doesn’t favour the development of young players. However, he knows that the future of FC Goa is in safe hands. “This is our target. In this squad, we have some very good young players. Season-by-season we will be better. In future, they will be important players for our squad. But, it needs time. It needs more training sessions. This is the problem with this championship. At the moment, it is game, recovery, game and so on. In my opinion, we need time to prepare the team and work together. It is very important for our club.”

FC Goa’s remaining foreign player slot

With Asian Champions League appointments looming ovn the horizon, FC Goa would more than likely fill the remaining foreign player slot during the transfer window. “The coaching staff, the sporting director and everyone else are checking for players. The most important thing is to find players who are ready to help the team and also to help the young players. I am happy with the current squad. We are working with this squad until the end of the season. We believe in the squad. Of course, we need to improve in some areas.”