Why Jamshedpur FC could benefit most from return to home venues

The Men of Steel have one the most loyal fanbases in the league.

After two seasons of football inside a bio-bubble, the Indian Super League is all set to return to the usual home-away format from the upcoming season. This can be an ice-breaker for teams like Odisha and Hyderabad FC who did not get to play much in front of their fans.

Football supporters are often called the 12th man and their presence at games has had a huge impact on many results. Thus playing in front of the fans and having their support will give a huge boost to players. Although it would be a blessing for every team to return to their local venues, Jamshedpur FC are likely to benefit the most owing to many factors. Before you argue over the fact let’s straight dive into it to find out the “WHY?”.

5. Chance to make a fresh start

Jamshedpur FC, to everyone’s surprise, won the League Winners' Shield last term. That has bolstered their reputation among the football fraternity in the country. Former head coach Owen Coyle built a project that can give — if taken further well — Jamshedpur FC the consistent success they crave for. They lacked a defined playing style or a system due to frequent managerial changes until the Scot took over.

[KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

After the success they had with Owen Coyle, the club seems to have a roadmap for the coming years. The Jamshedpur-based club will look to continue Coyle's work at the club. Hence, it would not be an easy task for the man coming in to take over. Of course, playing at a neutral venue devoid of home fans would be the last thing a new manager wants.

Thus playing his first season in front of club supporters can be relieving for the new manager. It would also mark a fresh start post the club's maiden ISL title.

4. Playing at “The Furnace”

The home stadium of Jamshedpur FC famously known as “The Furnace” is the only club-owned stadium in the country. Very few teams can match the level of the match-day atmosphere at the Furnace. In the 2018-19 season most of the teams were victims of fans boycotting to come to watch the players. Even during that season, the Furnace had a mean attendance of 20,016 which was the maximum that season.

With such an exhilarating environment at the Furnace, the players and the staff must be eager to play there. And that could impact their performance positively as the previous results suggest.

[KH_ADWORDS type="3" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS]

3. Ability to curate the pitch

The fact that Jamshedpur FC have its own stadium gives them the ability to curate the pitch without any interference from another body. While pitch curator is a term widely used in cricket, it is no less important in football. The dimensions of the field help is gaining an advantage for the home side. The length of the grass helps in maintaining the preferred style of football, the manager wants to play.

For example, Pep Guardiola demands a slick turf from his curators at Man City, as his quick-passing, tiki-taka football works best on that turf. So the grass length at the etihad and in the training grounds are of a specific length. The pitch is also watered frequently to maintain the surface as required.

As Jamshedpur FC dominated the wings last season, they can prepare the field dimension accordingly to help their players on the flanks. The pitch can also be curated according to the new manager's demands.

2. Training Facilities

The quality of training grounds frustrated some teams over the last two seasons. Former midfielder Aitor Monroy mentioned how he missed the training facilities of Jamshedpur in FC Goa. Although Owen Coyle never got to experience the local venue, he always spoke high and never hid, he was fond of what Jamshedpur FC provided in terms of training facilities during his time at Chennaiyin FC.

Steve Coppell, who joined the Men of Steel after a season with Kerala Blasters FC was aw-struck seeing the facilities at Jamshedpur. He never hesitated to term them as the best in the country. So the players and staff will be happier to return to the home facilities.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News |ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

1. Home Fans

Bill Shankly, the legendary Liverpool manager said, “At a football club, there’s a holy trinity—the players, the manager, and the supporters.” Home advantage benefits a sports team playing at their own venue and is said to enjoy over the visiting team. Jamshedpur FC possesses one of the most consistent and sincere fan bases in the country known as The Red Miners. 

The volume the Jamshedpur fans generate can be louder than a music concert or standing next to a pneumatic drill – easily loud enough to perforate your eardrums. It was evident in the 2-1 victory in the first game of the 2019-20 season. The team played with 10 men for more than 65 minutes and still scored in the dying minutes to secure the win.

Former JFC striker Sergio Castel admitted the crowd never let them feel they were a man-down in the game. Playing in front of such passionate and vibing fans will surely give a boost to the performance of the team.

For more football updates, follow Khel Now on Twitter, Instagram and join our community on Telegram.