Sanjoy Sen advises MB players to be cautious ahead of CCFC game, forecasts a multi-horse title race

MOHUN BAGAN HEAD COACH Sanjoy Sen has adopted a mantra of caution which he is repeating to the whole team.

Despite being one of the most succesful clubs in the country over the last two years, Sen believes that over-confidence can be a major problem and he wants his players to avoid it at all times. 

Speaking ahead of Saturday's match against Chennai City FC, the Mariners gaffer said,

"When you are in the championship race, every match is important. We're not looking back at the last 3 games, we're looking forward to the next ones. It won't be easy."

When asked if the I-League title race was going to be limited between Bengaluru FC and Mohun Bagan this season, he said it was too early to discount other teams,

"I don't think it's just Bengaluru and Mohun Bagan in the title race this time. Lots of results could turn that. The new teams in the league are yet to settle down, and they will get better with time. We have a few away matches coming up and we have to be cautious like we were in the previous games and try to secure maximum points in them... we have a lot of space to improve, and over the last two days we have learned a lot. So we'll have to come in against CCFC and make the best of the situation."

Mohun Bagan have traveled to Chennai without two major players, Kingshuk Debnath and Sehnaj Singh, who are out with injuries. During the pre-matchday practice session Anas Edathodika felt an old injury resurface on his left knee and had to sit out the rest of the session, but later Mr Sen clarified that it was a precautionary measure, the injury is not very serious and in the case that the side back has to be rested for the next game he will be replaced by Bikarmjit Singh.

Chennai City had a lot of trouble securing the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium for their season opening home game, and during that game the pitch looked it poor state. But Sanjoy Sen said that ahead of this game the conditions look much better,

"When you saw the ground on TV during ISL it looked great, but maybe some maintenance problems occurred afterwards. But now it looks very good. Anyway, I have always told my boys that as professionals you have to adjust to all conditions, be it different kinds of pitches, weathers or stadium environments."

Although at Sanjoy Sen's behest the Mohun Bagan officials have held onto the core of the squad from last season and made minimal changes to their first team setup, one significant addition to the Mariners' technical staff has been the appointment of a video analyst; something Sen has been campaigning for since his appointment. Asked by TFG if he felt the team was already benefiting from it, he gave a measured response,

"It's too early to evaluate all that. We have the whole season ahead of us... afterwards we can sit down and make an informed decision. But these things are of great help to any team... so let's see, let's see."