ISL 2017: Ashley Westwood says Draft is something they have to live with

ASHLEY WESTWOOD SEEMS to be enjoying his time back in India. 

Having joined ATK (formerly Atletico de Kolkata, now Amar Tomar Kolkata) as the Technical Director, Westwood is getting his first experience of a players draft today in ISL 2017-18.

Speaking to reporters during the break, the former Bengaluru FC coach said that he found the Draft exciting,

"You have to come in with lots of ideas, have back up plans for everything. It's exciting, everything has to happen instantly."

In the first 4 rounds ATK picked up Westwood's former protege at BFC Eugeneson Lyngdoh and Aizawl FC winger Jayesh Rane. They also initiated a trade for former Mohun Bagan player Kean Lewis who was picked by FC Pune City. Asked about that, Westwood said he wasn't upset that he got Jayesh instead of Kean,

"Jayesh Rane is as good as Kean Lewis. Both have been effective for their clubs in the last season."

Commenting on his role at ATK as technical director, the former BFC head coach made the executive boundaries clear,

"Teddy is doing his own work, I'm here to help as much as I can."

Asked what he thought about the ISL Draft itself, Ashley answered,

"This season two new teams came in and the organizers decided to even the playing field... we don't make the rules, you've got to live with it."