Jamshedpur FC: What Owen Coyle could change for the Men of Steel?

The Men of Steel have found it hard to maintain their rhythm in the second part of the season in recent times.

Jamshedpur FC are set to unveil the 2019-20 season's miracle man Owen Coyle, who has signed a two-year deal with the club ahead of the new campaign. Coincidentally, Jamshedpur FC was the first opposition that Owen Coyle faced in his coaching journey in India.

The arrival of the 54-year-old is expected to be a huge boost for Jamshedpur FC, who have for long been there and thereabouts in the playoff race, but have ended up short of their ultimate goal. In Coyle, the club will have a person who has first-hand experience of the knockout rounds, within only his first six months of coaching in India and the capability to work wonders.

Owen Coyle has a lot of work to do with the Men of the Steel, similar to what he did at Chennaiyin FC. Unlike his previous stint, he now has ample time to assess his squad and other options to strengthen his side for the upcoming season. The coach comes with a proven pedigree of being able to handle pressure and expectations, as was evident in his short stint with Chennaiyin - which left a resounding impression of his credentials.

Jamshedpur, much like Chennaiyin, have a lot of quality Indian players including Narender Gehlot, Aniket Jadhav and Jackichand Singh, who was the third-highest Indian goalscorer last season (5) and brings a lot of potential with him. But, they have letgo of a lot of quality options as well, including their prized asset of last season, Farukh Chowdhury, who has joined Mumbai City FC for the upcoming season.

The Numbers

Despite their reserves of talent, Jamshedpur FC have struggled to find consistency in scoring goals. In their three seasons so far in the ISL, they have scored 67 goals at an average of 1.25 goals/game, which has not proven to be enough for a club that harbours ambitions of qualifying for the playoffs. For context, under Coyle, Chennaiyin FC smashed 28 goals in 14 games, having scored none in their first four, an average of 2 goals/game.

Jamshedpur FC required a tactician who has experience in handling pressure situations and that is exactly what Owen Coyle brings to the table. He is also a coach who likes to move quickly through the paces and take the attack to the opposition.

Post Coyle's arrival, Chennaiyin FC's form on the road improved, as the Marina Machans lost just once and won several big games (ATK, Mumbai City FC, Kerala Blasters).

Jamshedpur FC would also be looking to improve their away form, if they wish to compete for a top four spot next season and have turned to Owen Coyle for the inspiration.

Signing New Players

Jamshedpur can consider themselves unlucky, as they lost key players to injuries at crucial junctures last season, like Sergio Castel, who missed most of the campaign after his hamstring injury. Hence, they must buy smartly under Coyle.

There could also be the case, as has happened with other clubs, where players have followed the coach out of the club. Players of Chennaiyin FC could also be tempted to join Coyle in the industrial city.

ALSO READ: Jamshedpur FC in talks with former Liverpool defender Jack Hobbs

The Future

As is the case every season, the only way for Jamshedpur seems up, with a squad containing talented players and a coach with the magic touch. The squad must believe that everything is possible and in Owen Coyle, Jamshedpur FC have someone capable of leading them over the line.

It is going to be a complicated campaign for obvious reasons and Coyle can only do so much from the dugout. It is up to the players to execute the tactics when it matters, on the pitch. But, as it stands, Jamshedpur FC with Owen Coyle looks like a solid partnership.

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