ISL 2017: Jamshedpur FC coach Steve Coppell is cautious to begin campaign vs NEUFC but is also ready for the challenge

JAMSHEDPUR FC begin their ISL campaign tonight against NorthEast United FC away from home. They will be hoping for a positive start to their season. But are also cautious that it wouldn't be an easy task playing Guwahati against NEUFC.

Steve Coppell, head coach of JFC, at the pre-match press conference said,

"We are excited first and foremost. All the other teams have also been preparing now for seven to eight weeks and I think we’re all just waiting to go. I’m honoured to be here and looking forward to the challenge. It feels good to be in a new club although it doesn’t make a great deal of a difference, like I’ve said on a number of occasions. Sometimes a blank piece of paper is good, sometimes it’s a hindrance but as we build up to the game tomorrow, the concentration is just on the players and the management to try and create an environment where the players can express themselves properly. So it’s just a normal preparation in many ways."

Talking about his first opponents, he said,

"This isn’t my first game here, so I know how hard it can be to come here. They’re going to be a good team and I know that we don’t really have any background information, and as a team we know a few of the individuals but in collective we know nothing and that’s the most difficult part of the first game of the season."

"You’re playing to a certain extent in the dark but when they prepare for others I presume, they’re preparing in the dark as well. So once we get a couple of games under our belts then the preparation for each game will be specific. In terms of this particular match, it’s a tough game. Coming here first game this season, will be a tough match."

Further talking about youngsters in his squad, he said,

"You know, young players are like sponges. At this stage of their development, they want to listen, they want to learn, they want to try and understand what you are offering in terms of football knowledge and what the game might be about."

"There isn’t one way to win a football match but I think to understand football from many different angles can only help younger players going forward. It’s a great opportunity for them to gain knowledge and appreciate how the top players conduct themselves which is very often the best way of learning, so I’m sure and hope that my young players appreciate the environment they’re in and time will tell if it’s been of any benefit to them."

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