Kerala Blasters fans are not happy with the team management
“WHY SHOULD WE WASTE our time supporting this team? It is just a business for Sachin and his other partners,”
a fan called Vipin Gopan posted on the Kerala Blasters Facebook Page.
Most of the comments that came below the announcement of Sunday’s match had a similar view. As everyone is blaming the flaws in team recruitment, the team management is now feeling immense pressure.
After a strong performance in the first season, Kerala Blasters had a forgettable outing in the second one. Despite this, the fans were strongly supporting the team. The treatment that the management gives to the team which is known around the world for their fans is pointed out as a disappointing one.
According to the fans, management didn’t even bother to bring in great players for the new season. The only strong points were the signings of Aaron Hughes and Cedric Hengbart. But the injury of Hughes proved to be a big blow. After two matches in the season, Blasters are struggling to find some momentum.
Why is the management being blamed?
One cannot win big tournaments without having strong players who are willing to battle till the last moment. Sachin Tendulkar is someone who is well aware of this. While the other teams brought in solid foreign talent by spending huge chunks of money, the Blasters Management hesitated in doing the same. The team even failed to keep Iain Hume after his stellar performance in the first season.
The failure in bringing in playmakers and goal scorers are proving to be the main problem. The fans are not happy about the fact that management is trying to earn profit simply by not spending to improve the team. ISL has seen some heroes like Nicolas Anelka, Elano, Lucio, Roberto Carlos and many others, but it is to be noted that Kerala Blasters never had such a big name in their roster.
The holes in the midfield and attack were exposed by the fans through their Facebook comments and even coach Steve Coppell went on to say that he cannot do much without having a strong team.
The flawed team selection
The team has seven strikers and four goal keepers but not even one attacking midfielder. The team also has no one in left back position. Such a team selection have been torn apart by the football lovers in Kerala. The profit minded way in which the team owners had put together a makeshift team has disappointed the fans to the core. Apart from this, the lack of match fitness and training of the players were there to be seen as well. Though new owners came in this season, the state has not changed.
Change in ticket rates
“The only difference between last season and this season are the inflated ticket prices”
– one supporter told Madhyamam. The team even failed to come up with proper sponsors and had to raise their ticket prices for home matches. Despite this, more than 60,000 fans packed into the stadium to see the match in Kochi.
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