"Should have won against Kerala," Robbie Fowler rues missed chance

The SC East Bengal head coach also hinted on possible incoming transfers in the January window.

SC East Bengal failed once again to clinch their first victory in the Indian Super League as they drew 1-1 stalemate against Kerala Blasters on Sunday night. Following the game, head coach Robbie Fowler spoke in the post-match press conference regarding the game, positions of certain players and more. 

SC East Bengal failed to score a goal, however, was a major force in the match. Speaking about it, The Red & Gold Brigade boss felt that his team should have won the game.

"I think it was a game that we dominated and should have won. We had enough chances to win more than one game. I think we have proven that we can compete and we will create more chances, probably need to be more clinical in the final third. Again, tonight all the talk should be on the referee as the referee wasn't very good," he said. 

On Changed Formation

Robbie Fowler made several changes to his team as he pushed Jacques Maghoma and Anthony Pilkington upfront, which paid dividends later in the game. When quizzed about the changes that he made, the Englishman quipped, "We work hard before every game and a lot of effort goes into selecting formations and the way we play. I think the lads who played, are real quality players so in the final third we want quality players.” 

“We want players who can not only score goals but also hold up the ball and bring others into the game and the lads upfront do that. Pilkington was an essential number nine with Jacques (Maghoma) and Rafique on the side, I think our team was very good tonight," he added.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgzjyCo1IeM

Opinion On Youngsters

Robbie Fowler showed trust in the young players as he handed 17-year-old Tomba Singh his ISL debut while Gopi Singh also made an impact. Speaking about the youngsters, The SC East Bengal head coach opined, "I think they gave everything, sometimes things go against us so we have to work hard and we have said that in the past. We have to work hard with possession and work hard without possession. For tonight the lads who are mentioned, the ones who came on all of them put a shift in and we worked well as a team."

Reasons To Shift Anthony Pilkington Upfront

Anthony Pilkington looked impressive as he was hard to contain by the Kerala Blasters defence. Explaining why the Englishman was preferred over the existing Indian strikers (Balwant, Jeje), Robbie Fowler highlighted the quality that Pilkington brings to the team. 

"He brings a lot of quality, I am not saying that the others don't but Pilkington has played at a fantastic level. He is a great player and as with the performance tonight, it is not the first time that he has performed.” 

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“He has been one of our better players all season. He is a good player and he can bring others into the game and he is not scared or ashamed of putting in a good work ethic. We are thankful that we got him," the tactician added.

"It obviously gives us a headache but we do like to work on other oppositions. But we keep playing and we have got lots of players in the squad and we use them as we see fit. But he is a good player and remains to be seen," Robbie Fowler further added. 

Thoughts On Surchandra Singh's Performance

The 45-year-old spoke on Surchandra Singh's performances as a right wing back, stating that he has potential and can do well. 

"Well, I don't think it was an unnatural position in all fairness. In the first match against ATK Mohun Bagan, he was very good and at times he has struggled a bit in other games but he has got a good work ethic.” 

“He works hard and he wants to do well and wants to get better and if he keeps putting in performances the way he did in the first game then we have a player who can certainly improve," the SC East Bengal boss added.

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Aaron Amadi-Holloway’s Injury

Robbie Fowler also shed light on Holloway's exclusion from the matchday squad. "He is simply injured, we have had all the scans and treatments for him and we can’t really find that much but the player says that it's sore and we gauge from him.” 

“So, we will never force him to play, the player has to tell us that they are ready. He is not ready so we will have to listen and abide by what he says. He will keep getting treatment but I really don’t know when he can come back as there isn’t much in the scans," he revealed.

Revelations On January Transfer Window

The Englishman dropped a teaser for the SC East Bengal fans about the upcoming January transfer window, hinting that there will be new signings. However, when asked to reveal more, Fowler said, "No, I can’t. I don’t want to as there is a bit of scope and maneuvering to do and we will work on something.” 

“We want this team to get as strong as we can to be competing with everyone. January is around the corner and there will be work behind the scene and hopefully we will bring players in the club to improve everyone,” he signed off.

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