Owen Coyle: We're respectful of every opposition, but we don't fear anyone

The Scotsman spoke ahead of his side's clash against ATK Mohun Bagan at Tilak Maidan Stadium.

Following a defeat and two consecutive draws, Jamshedpur FC looks to secure their first win of the season against heavyweights ATK Mohun Bagan on Monday. Ahead of the fixture, head coach Owen Coyle spoke in the pre-match press conference, talking about upcoming game and more.

The Jamshedpur FC boss revealed that he feels it will be just like another game for the Men of Steel, considering how competitive the Indian Super League has been this season. 

"Every game is a challenge. The league is showing that every game is tight between the oppositions. ATK Mohun Bagan have started well in terms of points return but they have been very close games. So we are looking forward to the game,” he said. 

“They’re a good opposition, good team, a good coach and with our recent performances, we have shown that we can stand toe to toe. What we have to do is to turn those odd draws into wins and move up the table. I think we have shown a lot of good signs in the games we have played already," Owen Coyle added. 

Jamshedpur FC have performed in patches till now and have conceded at least a goal in each of their previous three matches. The tactician feels that the team needs to be consistent and keep up the intensity throughout the game. He also emphasised on how the defence needs to be solid in future matches. 

"I think (I have) the consistency to put the whole thing together. There are certain areas where we need to work on. We are showing that we can score goals and I think we have to be more solid in defence and not give chances. When you put all that together and think about the first half against Odisha FC, we were outstanding. Even in the second half against Hyderabad FC.” 

“But we have to put that together for the whole match. It is a young team, a team that is growing and it is important that we continue to develop. We would love to win the first three matches, everybody would love that but it's a process. So we have to make sure that we go stronger and build momentum. We have to put those building blocks in place and then we can fly up the table," he said.

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Refereeing has been a concern for several coaches in the Indian Super League this season. Speaking on it, Owen Coyle added, "I don't think it is about blaming them, it is about stating the facts of what happened.” 

“The players are accountable for performing well consistently. But if you have a group of boys who every day are working their socks off in the training ground and then decisions are changing the course of some of the matches. If you look at the spirit we showed with that comeback against Hyderabad. We had a good goal, the referee gave the goal but then somewhat bizarrely chopped the goal off.” 

“A lot of teams at that point would have felt sorry for themselves but we picked ourselves up and scored the equaliser and had a great chance to win the game. Ultimately everyone saw what happened.”

"Even against Odisha, they should have been down to ten men. The player (Gaurav Bora) clearly stopped the ball from going into the net. Then we suffered a red card with Rehenesh. So with all said and done there's going to be bad decisions, you hope that they even themselves out but that's never the case.” 

“We have been severely hampered by that but nobody is using that as an excuse as we still need to see those games out or pick ourselves up and go again and my players have shown great spirits. They come to work hard and wear that jersey with pride."

Jamshedpur FC have not been lucky on the injuries front this season, with several crucial players unavailable with injuries. "It has been very challenging on the injury front, from the outset David Grande, Joyner (Lourenco) are not available. Narender Gahlot who came on the first game is injured and unavailable.” 

“(Nicholas) Fitzgerald received a heavy bang on his knee in the first game and Alex Lima has been the same. So we would love to see the boys return to full health as it gives us good quality players to choose from. The aforementioned players are out for this game and are doubtful for the next. Alex Lima is fifty-fifty," the 54-year-old revealed. 

Similar to Jamshedpur FC’s Nerijus Valskis, ATK Mohun Bagan's Roy Krishna has been impressive so far in this season as the Fijian has scored several goals. Speaking about how he plans to stop the striker on his tracks, Owen Coyle showed faith in his foreign defenders. 

"Same as everybody else, with good defending. All credit to ATK Mohun Bagan, Mumbai City with huge budgets they have brought very good players. But we have good boys at the back, in Peter Hartley and Stephen Eze. So we are up for the challenge, every game you play in this league is a new challenge.” 

“We are respectful of every opposition we play but we don't fear anybody. We know we have to concentrate on our gameplan and go out and play the way we want to play," he concluded.