Owen Coyle: I wouldn't say it'll be an advantage to face my old team

The Scotsman spoke about facing his former team in his first league game in-charge of the Men of Steel.

Jamshedpur FC will start their 2020-21 campaign against Chennaiyin FC in the Indian Super League (ISL). Head coach Owen Coyle who will be up against his former side lined up for the questions from the media ahead of the clash.

The Scotsman holds his former team in high regard and also feels that it is good to welcome football back in the country, with the pandemic looming over all of us. "The biggest challenge will be Chennaiyin. They are a very good side. I know them very well. Overall, there will be many challenges because of the situation we find ourselves in. But, the important thing is that football is being played again and it is bringing a smile on everyone's faces, to enjoy the beautiful game."

"We are set for a difficult game against Chennaiyin. They have some very good players, but equally we have some very good players here at Jamshedpur. We are all excited for the opening game and looking forward to it immensely," said Owen Coyle highlighting the challenges from the first match.

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As we already know, the seventh edition of the ISL will be conducted in Goa in a bio-secure bubble due to the pandemic restrictions. Therefore, the coach shed light on the challenges of the bubble and how it mentally and physically takes a toll on the players.

"I think it’s been the same for every team in the ISL. We are all in the same boat and it’s been a really difficult challenge, but the important thing is that we get the league up and running. We have faced some time constraints, as we have to get players to a certain level of fitness, so that they can do justice on the field. Normally, to get there, you need an extended period of time. So, it’s all about balancing between physical fitness and avoiding injuries, so that we have as many players as possible available to play the matches."

Speaking about his former employers, the Scotsman had only good things to say, as he also praised their new coach Csaba Laszlo. "Csaba Laszlo is a good manager and a human being. He has inherited a good squad of players and added some skillful and good domestic and foreign players. Eli (Sabia) and Rafa (Crivellaro) are two outstanding talents and they have added five amazing foreign players to that."

"So, I have no doubt that Chennaiyin will be a major force again this season. But, we must make sure we are ready for the challenge. It’s great that football is being played again and the only sadness is that the fans won’t be there. They are the lifeblood of the game, but at the same time everybody’s health is of paramount importance. Hopefully, we can still manage to bring a smile to the fans back in Jamshedpur," added the former Chennaiyin FC coach.

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Like most other teams in the ISL, the Men of Steel also have some uncertainties over the availability of their players. In this list of doubts remain Australian forward Nicholas Fitzgerald and Nigerian centre-back Stephen Eze, who joined training late and will only play depending on their last training session ahead of the game.

"With Nick Fitzgerald and Stephen Eze, they were late additions in training with delays in visas and quarantine. They have been training very well and they both can take part in the game depending on the last training session before the match. But, they have come through very well."

"This is the challenge that we were talking about earlier, that the players have started training at different times. Ordinarily, everyone starts together in a six-week pre-season training program to get ready. But, Nick and Eze look fit and healthy with a real desire to be part of Jamshedpur FC. I am sure they will do well for the fans," Owen Coyle opined.

The former Wigan manager who had a great first stint in India with Chennaiyin FC feels that it isn't an advantage playing his former team first up, considering he knows most of the players. He feels that it will be a feisty contest with close margins.

"I wouldn’t say it’s an advantage. I think we know their strengths, but it’s a challenge for us as well as when you come up against your old teams. You know that the players that have played for you well want to show you that again. They want to show that they are top players. So, I am very respectful of their abilities. They are very humble and have great abilities. I have same qualities in my Indian players here in Jamshedpur as well. It will be a great contest – two attack-minded teams going head-to-head. The margins will be tight and we must come out on the right side of those margins to come home with three points," Owen Coyle concluded.