Have ATK Mohun Bagan improved from last season?

The Mariners are currently in a spot of bother, at sixth place with only two wins in five matches.

ATK Mohun Bagan have had a topsy-turvy start to their Indian Super League (ISL) season, winning twice and losing twice in their first five games. What is all the more surprising, is the fact that the Mariners suffered back-to-back losses – something that never happened last season.

It can perhaps be debated quite strongly that their squad this season is even better from the one that went toe-to-toe with Mumbai City in the title race last campaign.

Ideally, the Mariners were expected to improve from last season and fix some of their issues. But, have they actually been able to improve?

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Sandesh Jhingan’s absence being felt

A very important reason behind ATK Mohun Bagan maintaining the best defensive record last season was Sandesh Jhingan. The experienced defender slotted into the Mariners’ backline with ease, despite coming into the team on the back of a horrible injury.

After he left for Croatian side Sibenik in the summer, the Mariners have not been able to find a proper replacement. Instead, Antonio Habas has been forced to revert to a makeshift backline. Carl McHugh has been moved from midfield to defence, operating as a centre-back.

Pritam Kotal and Subhasish Bose have had more responsibilities placed on their shoulders. The cracks were visible in ATKMB’s embarrassing 0-6 loss to FC Nasaf in the AFC Cup. But, now it’s quite visible that the Mariners backline is still not stable enough.

Despite Habas’ proactive tactics, opposition sides have easily penetrated ATKMB’s backline and exposed their vulnerabilities. This season they’ve already conceded nine goals in just four games. Last campaign, it took them 14 games to concede as many.

It’s safe to say that defensively at least, ATKMB have regressed from last season.

Is Amrinder really an upgrade over Arindam?

After the end of last season, ATK Mohun Bagan started to show their ruthless side. By flexing their financial muscle, the Mariners convinced Amrinder Singh to join them on a free transfer – leaving Mumbai City. The India international joined on a five-year deal and it was clear that he’d replace Arindam Bhattacharya – who won the ISL Golden Glove last season.

So far, Amrinder has just kept one clean-sheet in the ISL – that too against a very poor SC East Bengal side. It’d perhaps be unfair to blame him for the majority of the nine goals conceded so far. But, he’s been unable to marshal his backline and lead from the back so far.

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He only has a 47.5% save percentage, the third-worst among all regular goalkeepers in the ISL so far this season. Amrinder has failed to impress so far and has a long way to go in order to prove a genuine upgrade over his predecessor.

Foreign stars yet to hit their stride

ATK Mohun Bagan made real statement signings over the summer. Hugo Boumous was signed from rivals Mumbai City for a record amount and on a five-year contract. Finland international Joni Kauko joined the Mariners just after playing at Euro 2020.

The Mariners released some foreigners with the new four foreigners' rule in mind. So far this season, their foreign stars have been very topsy-turvy – like the team itself. Kauko, to his credit, has proven himself a quality signing. Playing in the ISL for the first time in his career, he’s adapted with ease – helping pull the strings in midfield and out-muscling opponents with ease.

Boumous, after an emphatic debut against Kerala Blasters, has dipped in form. Marked out in recent games, he’s shown real frustration playing in Habas’ pragmatic system. Carl McHugh has struggled at centre-back, a position he’s not a natural in.

Even Roy Krishna, who scored four goals as many games (including three match-winners) is yet to hit top form. Be it lack of proper pre-season games or settling in with new teammates, the foreigners have looked a bit out of sync in recent games.

Habas’ experiments yet to pay off?

Antonio Habas has somehow been able to fulfill the desire to field ‘attack-minded players’ into his defensive system. This has seen Manvir Singh and Liston Colaco, two of India’s brightest forwards, reverted to play as wing-backs.

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The two have been forced to fulfill defensive duties, which really hasn’t been executed all that well. While both have been among the goals and scored multiple ones in the opening games, their overall game has suffered. The duo has occasionally looked clueless over what exactly is desired from them.

Boumous has also been played in a No. 10 cum support striker role than in a free playmaker’s role. Habas has tinkered with his teams in the opening games, presumably to find the perfect XI. He’s yet to find that.

Of course, there’s no reason to hit the panic button so early in the season. ATK Mohun Bagan have enough quality to come back stronger and get back into the ISL title race in a few weeks' time. For the time being, however, there has been little to no improvement from last season and it wouldn’t be harsh to indicate that ATKMB have actually regressed with a much stronger squad.

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