Gerard Nus: We've seen Valskis' videos, we're going to be prepared

The Spaniard along with midfielder Federico Gallego spoke ahead of the clash against Jamshedpur FC on Friday.

NorthEast United will be looking to extend their unbeaten run, as they take on a confident Jamshedpur FC on Friday. Neither of the teams have tasted defeat in their last five outings in the Indian Super League and will thus be full of confidence ahead of the game at the Tilak Maidan. The Highlanders sit comfortably at third spot in the league table and a big win may take them to the top of the table. Head coach Gerard Nus and midfielder Federico Gallego caught up with the media to speak about their preparations for the crucial fixture.

Plans to counter Valskis

NorthEast United’s main threat for the game tomorrow will be Jamshedpur’s hitman Nerijus Valskis. The Lithuanian striker is in blistering form this season and has scored six goals in as many games for the Men of Steel. With the supply line from JFC’s midfield, the striker is capable of firing the ball into the back of the net and Nus is well aware of this. “Yes, we are aware of Valskis. He is the target man, a striker capable of scoring a lot of goals. He was the top scorer last season,” he said praising the forward. But, he believes his team are well-prepared to tackle the danger which Valskis brings along. “We know he is a threat. We have seen videos of him and we're going to be prepared,” added Gerard Nus with confidence.

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

About team’s style of play

NorthEast United have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season with their disciplined defensive line and swift attacking moves. Even though many might term it as a defensive setup, Nus feels differently. “We are an attacking team, but we are also a team that knows how to defend and we defend quite well,” expressed the Highlanders’ head coach while speaking about the team’s preferred style of play. He believes that his team are capable of delivering with any style of play, be it possession-based, counter-attacking or through set-pieces. “I'm so proud of what we have done so far. This is a process. Everyday, we try to get better and every game is a new opportunity to do so,” he added.

ALSO READ: NorthEast United Vs Jamshedpur FC Preview: Victory crucial for both

Comparisons to last season

Last season, NorthEast United were without a loss in their first six games, but then a defeat to ATK made them lose their way all through the campaign. This time, however, Gerard Nus is not worried about the past. Rather, he wants to make sure that the team doesn't slip away. “We are working hard to be sure we don't lose. We try to win the three points in every single game,” commented the Spaniard.

“The most important thing is that we keep progressing and improving, we stick to our identity. At the end of the day, we have a lot of respect for the opposition, we play against fantastic sides and great coaches,” he spoke, emphasising on his team’s grit and the difficulty of maintaining an unbeaten record in the league. “We're going to go for three points tomorrow. That will be the best start for us. Looking forward to that,” he said in a positive mood. 

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Atmosphere in dressing room

After earning 10 points from six games and maintaining an unbeaten run, the mood in the NorthEast dressing room is full of confidence. “It's truly good,” he stated. “The team wants more, we are not just comfortable at the position. I see this desire in the players to do better, individually as well as a group. And I'm looking forward to tomorrow's game. I expect a good performance again,” he added.

Injury Updates

Ahead of the vital game against Jamshedpur, the Spaniard revealed that his team is injury free at the moment and everybody is available for selection. Gallego, who has missed a lot of games this season, is also finally available for selection, which comes as a huge relief for the team. Ahead of the game, Gallego himself assured that he is ready for the challenge. “I am 100% fit and ready for tomorrow's game,” said the Argentine midfielder.

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