Owen Coyle: It will be a tough game against Odisha FC

The Jamshedpur FC boss spoke on his team's eagerness to qualify into the playoffs this season.

It is now or never for Jamshedpur FC as they will be looking to turn their season around with a win against Odisha FC. The Men of Steel are still aiming for their first-ever playoffs finish this season and for that, they need to get some wins in their bag. Head coach Owen Coyle spoke to the media ahead of the match.

Thoughts on consecutive draws

Owen Coyle was quizzed about the reason for so many draws in the league. He feels that the league has improved on all fronts and it's more competitive now. He also added how Odisha will also not make life easy for his men.

"I think there is no doubt that the league is improving with each year. If you look at last year there was a little gap between some of the teams, whereas this year everyone has shown that on their day they can win against any team. Hence, there have been a lot of close games and a lot of draws. Now, as we get into the business end of the season, we need that mentality to go into games and get those wins. That's what we will be looking to do against Odisha FC.

"It will be a tough game against a team who themselves have drawn the last couple of matches against good opponents. But, the group of players we have they are a terrific bunch, hardworking and have the quality to go out there and win the game," Coyle said at the pre-match press conference.

Thoughts on Odisha FC

Speaking about the matchday opponents, the Scotsman highlighted how the Kalinga Warriors have some great personnel on their roster. He stated, "I think Odisha FC have some very good players and there is no doubt about that. They have also shown that they are capable of scoring goals and obviously with (Steven) Taylor and (Jacob) Tratt at the back, they have some experienced players of very high level.

'They also have some very talented Indian players as well, so there is no doubt that they are a very balanced side. We have to be very respectful, but also nullify their threat. For us, we have to get that ball, be offensive and get more people in the box looking to score those goals. We are coming on the back of two clean-sheets and now we want to make sure that we are scoring goals. If we do that we will get those three points."

need to accumulate wins

The Scotsman also shared his opinion on how accumulating wins can take a team up the table, something which the Men of Steel are eager to do in the business end of the league.

"We had a very disappointing week prior to that. We lost some games which we should not have. So, we got back to getting those clean-sheets and worked very hard as a collective unit. We have to make sure that we are very tight at the back, but equally create goalscoring threat going forward. If we do that then it can change draws into wins. This season everyone is aware and there is a group of teams looking to get those wins," Coyle opined.

Return of Peter Hartley

With Peter Hartley back in the team, Jamshedpur FC will only get better at the back. But, it will also mean that Nicholas Fitzgerald will have to go back to bench in the next game. Coyle thinks it is a collective effort and will not depend on a single individual.

"The skipper brings great defensive capabilities and is also a leader and organizer. It will be great to welcome him back. Obviously, Fitzgerald was out for the whole season with injury and has added something to the group since coming on. The important thing is also about getting that recovery, as we have had only two days in between games. It is also very challenging within the bubble and it is not about the ones who have been on the field, but also for the players who have not played as many minutes."

Thoughts on reaching playoffs

The former Wigan manager feels that his team are more than capable of reaching the playoffs. "It is a challenge because ideally you would love to be in a position where the other teams who are already in those positions. But, we have to focus on what we can do.

"Jamshedpur FC has never been in the playoffs, so we want to get there. We are very positive and will try to win the remaining games. The players have also shown that they are capable of creating chances and scoring goals," Owen Coyle signed off.

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