PRE-MATCH QUIPS- Kashyap: We have the psychological advantage over Bengaluru FC

HEAD COACH OF SANTOSH KASHYAP took questions from the press about tonight's home clash against Bengaluru FC. 

Kashyap answering a question if having just one clean sheet in 9 games is worrying for team.

"When we have limitations and want to achieve some extraordinary targets and continously changing players position we have dropped points. But in the last game we worked on our mistakes got a clean sheet, we have showed progress and will only get better"

On the record, Mumbai have not lost to Bengaluru at home, Kashyap commented,

"I'm not concerned in the last 6 years as to who was the coach, I'm not responsible for it. My objective is to win all 9 matches. Be it Mohun Bagan, Bengaluru FC or any other team we have win all matches and achieve our objective"

Against Bengaluru FC, if there a physiological advantage for Mumbai FC, the Mumbai coach answered,

"Yes definitely. We have the home advantage and they are also in a bad phase, not winning in the last 5 games. It does happen with many teams. This season only Mohun Bagan and East Bengal are unbeaten so far, which is fantastic"

On asked about the process to gets things to work, how difficult is it to get the desired results in the 18 leagues games.

"It's a big challenge.The season is divided into the Indian Super League and I-League. The process is on to have one league. It will be a transition for Indian football. So in that process we dont get a chance to prepare the team"

He continued,

"Players after the ISL is over, need a break. Last year the I-League started around 17th or 18th of January but this year it was started early. I got just three days to prepare. They played under a coach for 2 or 3 months and its a challenge for me with regards to changing the style of play and philosophy"

"Even with all on that we won our first game. Then we signed Brazilans and they performed well I believe"

Farukh Chowdary also accompanied the coach. Against Mohun Bagan in the last game, Farukh's headed attempt on goal was saved by the post. Asked to share his experience after coming narrowly close to scoring said,

"After my effort hit the post, I was only thinking of how I can score for the team. If I keep regretting at the missed chance I might not be able to perform best for my team"

Asked to share his mental preparation in playing big teams like Mohun Bagan and now Bengaluru FC, Farukh said,

"I did not feel nervous in the game against Bagan and feel confident about my game and hope to give my best in the next game as well"

On a lighter note Kashyap added, Farukh has played the ISL as well so he might feel I-League is inferior to the ISL.

On the question of Steven Dias not being given enough starts and mostly used as a second half substitute, Kashyap answered,

"I feel he could not cope although he started very well and was dangerous in the first couple of games. In the first half against Churchill he played 6 or 7 excellent crosses. After that he has been having fatigue concern and has a muscle injury which will keep him out for three to four weeks."

"He has played 17 seasons and age is catching up so I have to take care of him. Needs more recovery time"

From the eleven players who started in the game against Mohun Bagan, there were no injuries coming into the game.

Speaking about Alex Silva, Kashyap was confident about his abilities and will only get better as the season progresses and expect big contribution from him. Further said he is a skilful and attacking player and has been chosen over 10 or 15 others players.

On other foreigners' performances, Kashyap said,

"Anderson was not at his best and kept falling to the ground many times. But happy with with Densill and Sharitiyar. My job is to give confidence to the Anderson so that he does the best for the team"

On the home support, Kashyap said he expects to see a packed stadium like in the earlier days and said he knows the fans too expect the team to win and we will try our best to give that.

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