1. Overhauling the team

DSK Shivajians has made an array of changes to the team that did not fare well in its first season. Starting from the top, Derrick was replaced by DSK-Liverpool Academy head Dave Rogers. Dave, a firm believer in the youth, set the aim of applying the club's vision of harnessing the potential of the youth in the forthcoming season.

That set the tone of the how Shivajians would approach the season; youth first. Many of the members of the squad were from the academy and a few players that were brought in like Jerry Lalrinzuala were aimed to make a youth-strong team.

In the opening fixture, Shivajians fielded five players aged under 22 years. Although, they lost the game but with the ball dominance and having better control of the game, Shivajians had marked improvement from yesteryear. The squad that played in the first season had been completely revamped. Just to highlight the difference in DSK's squad in the two seasons.

Comparison of number of players of Under-22 years of age and below:

2015/16 Season: 7 players

2016/17 Season: 18 players

The number of youth in the squad was the most striking feature of the new team under Rogers.