ISL 2020-21: New season, same old story for Jamshedpur FC

The Men of Steel are five points behind the playoffs spots with just four games left to play.

The first week of February has probably proven to be among the more exciting ones in the Indian Super League (ISL) 2020-21 season, with a number of action-packed games on display over the last few days. As Mumbai City FC and ATK Mohun Bagan maintained their march to solidify a place in the playoffs, those behind are scrambling to stay in the race.

A couple of frustrating draws or a couple of thrilling victories, the last gameweek of the ISL had just about everything, as teams seem to be performing at their highest levels as the final sprint of the league stages approaches. So here are some lessons we learnt from the gameweek 17.

5. Kerala Blasters’ failure to hold onto advantage reflects poor game management

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-MGzc--z6g

For Kerala Blasters, it was another case of taking the lead in a game and surrendering it when the pressure started to mount. While Mumbai City showed great character to complete an impressive comeback win after being inspired by an Adam le Fondre special, Kibu Vicuna’s side failed to show any resilience once again. That was incidentally the sixth game in which they had initially taken the lead this season, but failed to convert the advantage into a win.

While Vicuna has done loads of good to improve his side’s playing style in recent weeks, he’s failed to form the match-winning mentality. His tactics have come into question, with Kerala just not being street-smart to see out games after taking the lead (or even extending it) this season. Unless the Blasters fix their inability to preserve a lead or be more clever in grinding out results, their playoffs dreams will remain distant.

4. Fighting spirit at the heart of NorthEast United’s success this season

Since taking over as interim head coach, Khalid Jamil has ensured that NorthEast United show a lot of character in games. The Highlanders have played with a lot of heart in recent games and managed to come back from adversity in a thrilling game against FC Goa. Federico Gallego was at the heart as they came back from being a goal down twice against the Gaurs, scoring penalties in both halves to grind out a well-deserved point.

Not only did that draw rejuvenate the team’s confidence, but also held Goa back from taking a prominent lead in the playoffs race. This season, the Highlanders have picked up multiple points from losing positions and shown a lot of fighting spirit when the chips were down. Along with the draw against Kerala, their league double over Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan proved that this team is an extremely resilient one which can slog their way to get points.

3. Two Southern powerhouses having mediocre seasons

The soulless draw which Bengaluru FC and Chennaiyin FC played out, probably summed up everything that has gone wrong for them this season. BFC once again failed to create proper goalscoring chances and had to be bailed out by Gurpreet Singh Sandhu. On the other hand, Chennaiyin created a lot of opportunities, but couldn’t seem to score any to save their lives.

With BFC having won only once in their last 10 games and Chennaiyin FC winless in five, these two sides seem to be stuck in perpetual misery this season.

2. Manvir Singh proving to be difference-maker for ATK Mohun Bagan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGJTJV9KvHE

When ATK Mohun Bagan signed Manvir Singh for a whopping fee last summer, a lot of questions were asked about whether the deal will even work out. However, the hard-working centre-forward has made many fans with his impressive performances. Despite being played in an unorthodox right wing cum centre-forward role, the 25-year-old has outdone himself. He put in his best performance this season in the 4-1 drubbing of a vulnerable Odisha FC. The forward lit things up with an incredible left-footed curler from outside the box.

He then scored another with his right foot to put the Mariners ahead once again and even assisted one of Roy Krishna’s goal. With decisive goals against SC East Bengal and Hyderabad FC as well as multiple assists in the thrilling win over Kerala Blasters, he’s slowly proving to be ATKMB’s X-Factor in attack. With the playoffs and AFC Cup to come this year for the Mariners, their tenacious Indian forward will have a prominent say on their success on the ‘big occasions.’

1. New season, same old story for Jamshedpur FC

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPM9l5xak8

After at least being in the running for a playoffs spot during the winter period, the wheels of Jamshedpur FC’s season have started to come off. Coming into the game against SC East Bengal on the back of a win, they were outplayed by the Red and Gold and weren’t able to defeat a side winless in their last seven games. With only one win in their own last seven league games, the Men of Steel now find themselves five points behind a playoffs spot.

With two out of their upcoming four games against top sides Mumbai City and ATK Mohun Bagan, their fortunes look unlikely to change. Owen Coyle’s side showed a lot of fight to grind out valuable points in the first half of the campaign, but seem to have completely fallen off as the season has worn on. They aren’t clinical in attack, are too dependent on Nerijus Valskis and seem to be lacking any variety in their playing style. Like every other season in their history, ISL 2020-21 looks bound to be another case of ‘so close, yet so far’ for the Men of Steel.