TEAM ANALYSIS: Expect few roars from Delhi; improved team, but still at a nascent stage

THE DELHI DYNAMOS SQUAD from last season suffered due to some of the key players misfiring, including their marquee player, Alessandro del Pierro. Finishing at 18 points from 14 matches, the Den Network-owned ISL franchise gave the semi-finalists a close chase, but in the end fell short by one goal; scored or saved. 

The problem that plagued them in the ISL was that both their forward line and defence put up a mediocre performance. Scoring 16 goals and conceding 14 in the regular season kept them abreast but there wasn't much to really excite others and to set them apart. Some of the major signings showed lack of thought, and seemed more like elaborate name-droppings to target the EPL-loving metro crowd. The Indian contingent, mostly employed in a defensive capacity, were relegated to a sideshow as the Dynamos PR machinery and playing style tried to highlight foreign "star" names. The only Indian forward in the team was Manandeep Singh and the only goal by an Indian came from midfielder Manish Bhargav. And the two had a total of five appearances between them.

Although many ISL franchises like to focus on foreigners in the attack and Indians in the defence, few of them have the division so greatly pronounced. Dutch-Belgian coach Harm vsn Veldhoven was clearly taking his time to grasp with the quality and reality of the ISL. New to the sub-continent, his perception of the kind of challenge he was facing might have been skewed by pre-season friendlies against the likes of Hindustan FC and Mohammedan Sporting. And for a tournament where fatigue from frequent matches and travels became such a big issue, the coach played a surprisingly high number of Delhi Dynamos players in 13 or 14 matches, showing a reluctance to rotate certain positions. This is perhaps indicative of lack of squad depth which may have affected them negatively. 

This year, some of the bad traits that brought them down have been addressed and corrected, while others persist. This time they paid more thought behind the Indian players, bringing in the likes of Subhashish Roy Chowdhury and Seminlen Doungel from enemy camps (Dynamos did not sign any Indian player outside the Draft last year). They retained some of the better performing players like  Shylo Malsawmtluanga and Souvik Chakraborty. The players they picked up from the Draft, the likes of Sehnaj Singh and Zodingliana Ralte, have played some eye-catching football in last season's I-League and ISL. They broke their back to win Robin Singh in the Players' Auction. Whether that works for them or not only time will tell. By which I mean it probably won't work.

They adopted a new approach to the marquee player position as well; hiring legendary Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos as head coach, then convincing him to come out of retirement and sign on as their marquee player. This is a good way to work around ISL's ridiculous marquee rule; and who knows, the creative airbender might be able to play a couple of highly effective cameos for them. 

The Dynamos have retained the likes of Gustavo Marmentini and Hans Mulder who are proven performers from last season. Coach Carlos has brought in a new dose of quality and experience by signing the likes of John Arne Riise, Chicao, and Florent Malouda. One exciting signing is Adil Nabi, a young forward on loan from West Bromwich, who has already turned heads with his performance in the pre-season.

The pre-season, by the way, is a major point of departure from last year. The Dynamos held their pre-season camp in Sweden and Denmark this time, going through a series of friendlies against some of the clubs over there, most of them from lower leagues. These were tough outings for the newly-formed Delhi Dynamos squad, but playing BK Hacken and losing badly is still a better pre-season effort than playing Hindustan FC and winning.

But some of that gimmicky nature from last season has still persisted in the Delhi Dynamos management. The franchise is yet to build a stable, loyal fanbase, and the marketing department is desperate to catch their attention. Having a kit launch in front of the Taj Mahal and having the players kick around trash in front of the Red Fort is one thing. But signing a foot-volley player as a last-minute surprise doesn't speak of a mature approach. They will commit a similar mistake if Roberto Carlos is pushed onto the field too regularly in a bid to draw spectators; it's likely to backfire just as it did with del Pierro. 

But the squad, undoubtedly, is better than last year. There is diversity of talent and experience. But the worrying factor for them would be the stressful and intensive fixture of the ISL. Roberto Carlos is a young manager with limited experience; he has never experienced the hectic travelling and quick adjustments to team and strategies that ISL calls for. And the squad is two injuries away from serious crisis in every single department.

Although the Lions have shown intent to improve, they are still very much a franchise at their nascent stage, yet to figure out much of the business. While a few strong roars from them in the upcoming ISL isn't an impossibility, at present they still very much remain in the endangered category.