Want to keep BFC's winning mentality going, says Simon Grayson

The head coach also spoke about not being complacent.

Bengaluru FC will be up against NorthEast United on the second matchday of the Indian Super League 2022-23. On one hand, Bengaluru FC will be hopeful of continuing their fine run from the Durand Cup 2022. Meanwhile, NorthEast United, under the tutelage of Marco Balbul will seek resurgence. The Blues’ manager Simon Grayson joined Sunil Chhetri in a press conference ahead of the clash.

Here's what the coach and the player had to say.

The Durand Cup victory and the preparations since

A few weeks back Bengaluru FC, for the first time in their history, lifted the Durand Cup silverware. The mentor made it clear that no complacency had crept in and that the team has been preparing well for the ISL.

Grayson claimed, “When I first came to the football club, I made it clear that I wasn’t coming here to not do anything. I want to win as many football games as possible. I have won a lot of things as a player and a manager. This club has got a winning mentality and I want to keep that going. We are certainly not over-complacent or over-confident. There is a fine line. This is a tough league, and we believe in ourselves. We keep the intensity very high in training.”

Team News

Simon Grayson was tight-lipped when asked about any team news. He informed, “I never give too much information away regarding team selection or fitness. All I will say is that there are a few niggles, and we will make sure those who are fit to play will start. Our opponents NorthEast did not have their strongest team in the Durand Cup, so we are treating them with respect. Everybody starts with a level playing field. We will work on a definite defensive structure and on the offensive stuff as well.”

The ideal start to the season

BFC play at home tomorrow before hitting the road for a series of tough away fixtures. On being asked what the ideal start for the season is, Grayson said, “There is no player in a group who thinks that by the end of the month we’ll have won all our games. We want to work hard to be in that position. If we're complacent, football has a strange way of kicking you where it hurts most.”

Experience in India so far

In his short stay so far, Simon Grayson has kept a keen eye out on how the sport has developed. He said, "What I've learned from the time I've been here is that from day one, my players are very hard working, honest, and responsive to what I've been asking them to do. Whether it's a warm up or a passing drill, they try to take on as much information as possible."

Also Read: Bengaluru FC vs NorthEast United Match Preview

The 52-year-old added, "In terms of Indian football in general, it's still progressing, there's a lot of work to be done. But as coaches in the ISL, we improve the individuals, to make them better and develop them for the future."

Return to normalcy and the entry of fans

The Sree Kanteerava stadium has been starved of action for 951 days and will welcome the fans in huge numbers for their first home fixture of the 2022-23 season. Simon Grayson has been soaking in the Garden City. He said, “I have been getting a sense of all the work that’s been going on. The walks around Bangalore are exciting too. Supporters must feel like caged animals, and I am sure they can’t wait, and everyone is excited.”

Chhetri must fight for his place too

Captain Sunil Chhetri mentioned that the approach for every game has not changed since the pandemic, even under a new coach. He was delighted with the depth of the squad and stated, "The approach is similar, apart from the fact that we don't have to stay in a bubble. We've got a new coach, we've had 8-10 weeks with him. We have some new faces, some experienced ones. We want to apply ourselves as well as possible."

"I am just trying to do my best to make it to the starting eleven. You are laughing but I am serious. It is getting difficult because we have got some very good youngsters,” quipped the skipper.