Do Jamshedpur FC have the right mix to end playoff quest in ISL 2021-22?

The Men of Steel are yet to make the final four in their short history.

Since their introduction in the Indian Super League in 2017, Jamshedpur FC haven’t succeeded in getting their foot into the playoffs. They finished fifth in their first two seasons, eighth in the third and sixth last term. Twice in these four seasons, the Men of Steel have missed out on the playoffs by just four points. Meanwhile, in 2018/19, they finished just two points behind fourth-placed NorthEast United.

Stepping into another new season of the Indian Super League, Jamshedpur look more promising than ever before. There has been no managerial departure, with Owen Coyle continuing into his second season as the tactician. Coyle joined on a two-year contract ahead of the ISL 2020/21 season from Chennaiyin FC. The squad though, has undergone a few changes, strengthening the depth and making solid new signings.

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The Men of Steel will undoubtedly be a strong force to compete with this season. The whole squad seems extremely balanced, with an amalgamation of youth and experience in every department. The club have shrewdly signed players with respect to their demands. Jamshedpur's defence, which conceded only 22 goals last season - fourth lowest in the league - will now have the experience of Anas Edathodika and Eli Sabia. Add to this captain Peter Hartley, who is a stout at the back and Jitendra Singh, who led them in the Durand Cup. The presence of Ricky Lallawmawma, Narender Gahlot and Boris Singh Thangjam also make them a solid defensive unit.

Their midfield prospered last season. But, in order to minimize conceding goals, they have secured the signature of Pronay Halder (on loan from ATK Mohun Bagan). Halder, previously a regular at the national team, is a strong figure at the centre of the park. He appeared 16 times for the Mariners last season and made 31 tackles as well as 16 interceptions. Apart from Halder, Ritwik Das and Komal Thatal are also among the latest arrivals at the club. While Das might find it difficult to find a place in the starting XI, Thatal will find plenty of minutes after Farukh Choudhary's injury cut his season short. Mobashir Rahman is another midfielder, who is likely to start.

In the attacking third, Jamshedpur have the likes of Nerijus Valskis. He will be assisted by Jordan Murray and Ishan Pandita this season. Murray impressed for Kerala Blasters last time out, despite the club's dismal season and was their top scorer with seven goals. Pandita, who joins from FC Goa, also shone for them with impactful performances off the bench. The 23-year-old scored four goals in just 131 minutes of ISL action. The Men of Steel have also secured the signing of Scottish forward Greg Stewart.

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The club have been fabulous in their pre-season friendlies. In the four friendly matches they played, Jamshedpur have gone unbeaten. They started with a 2-0 defeat of NorthEast United, with Murray scoring both the goals. It was followed by a 1-1 draw against former ISL champions Bengaluru FC, with Murray on the scoresheet yet again. The club also played consecutive friendlies against Kerala Blasters and won the first quite comfortably, with Boris Singh Thangjam scoring a brace while Nerijus Valskis netted another in a 3-0 win. The second game ended in a 1-1 draw with Komal Thatal scoring for the Men of Steel.

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Jamshedpur FC have the squad and the pedigree required to make it through to the playoffs this time around. With a coach like Owen Coyle at the helm, the side also have enough experience in their coaching staff to take them the distance. Coyle guided a beleaguered Chennaiyin to the ISL final in his debut season in India and came close to taking Jamshedpur to the playoffs last time out.

They play their first match against SC East Bengal on November 21, 2021, at the Tilak Maidan. Time will tell, if Jamshedpur FC can finally end their playoffs jinx.

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