Owen Coyle admits Jamshedpur played below their level against FC Goa

The Scotsman spoke on the back of his side's second consecutive loss on Thursday.

Jamshedpur FC suffered another defeat as they were second best against a dominant FC Goa side. Jorge Ortiz scored a brilliant brace while Ivan Gonzalez scored his first goal in the Indian Super League to inspire FC Goa to a crucial 3-0 win over the Men of Steel. Head coach Owen Coyle was visibly disappointed with the fixture as he stated how the break in between broke their momentum and also the impact injuries have had over his overall squad and performances.

Impact of the break and injuries on his team's performance

"We had a two-week break and that has probably hindered our progress as we lost all the rhythm and continuity. But that being said, a number of players played despite not being at their 100% as they had to because of the injuries we have had at the start of the season. But also, I think that we created some wonderful chances and their (FC Goa) keeper was the man of the match. With five or six great goalscoring opportunities, he pulled off some great saves. So we have to be better defensively and also need to capitalize on the chances to score goals and when you don't get things right at both ends of the pitch, you don't win matches," Owen Coyle said at the post-match press conference.

https://youtu.be/VASRhbffVcU

Jamshedpur FC weren't outplayed!

The former Wigan head coach was asked whether his team was completely outplayed by the Gaurs, to which he answered, "I don't think so as FC Goa have a certain style of play. If you look at the shots on target and chances created, then we would have as many as them. They are a wonderful team and they pass and move well and we hold the hand up for that as they are a very good team. But that is the nature of football."

The Scotsman also did not agree to the fact that his men were taken aback by Juan Ferrando's FC Goa on the night as he felt that they created enough chances only to squander all of them.

"I think what we did not do was take our chances tonight and defend well enough. FC Goa are a very good side and they have shown that season after season with some wonderful players. So we weren't caught off guard, we knew what we could expect. But what we did not do was individually and collectively, play to our capabilities and that's the difference as they were very best and we were just below par," Owen Coyle opined.

Thoughts on Ortiz playing upfront instead of Angulo

Ferrando came up with a brilliant idea to field Ortiz upfront as a false nine replacing the league's top goalscorer Igor Angulo. The plan worked as teh Spaniard created a lot of problems for the Men of Steel as he scored a brace. Even Owen Coyle admitted his ability and praised FC Goa for signing him.

"I think Angulo is also a wonderful player and when you have both the players, then it is even more difficult. We did prepare for Angulo but Ortiz is also a wonderful player. He can play wide and also as a nine and when he does that, he picks the ball up and travels. I applaud Goa for signing someone of that quality and of course he caused problems tonight," he added.

Thoughts on being found out by other clubs

The Scotsman was also questioned whether he and his team have been found out and is it the correct time to go back to the drawing board. Speaking on that note, he added, "No we performed below our level tonight and when you do that you have to take criticisms. But we will pick ourselves up and get ready to go again because that's the nature of the group we have and I will make sure they are ready for the next game."

Opinion on Alex Lima's sending off

Lastly, Owen Coyle also shared his thoughts on Alex Lima's red card and how it was more demoralising for him. It also means that he won't be having the services of the Brazilian midfielder in their game against NorthEast United.

"The most demoralising fact was losing Alex Lima to a second yellow card. Goa had players on the field who were on a yellow and committed six or seven fouls after that and still stayed on the field. I do not want anybody ever sent off. I want a clean 11v11 match with players on the field. It was Alex's first foul after he received the first yellow and he received another one so I was more upset about that. In terms of result obviously, you don't want to lose a game by any margin but it happened so we will take the criticism. But we will pick ourselves and go again," he signed off.