ISL 2017-18: Jamshedpur FC’s Steve Coppell - I will recommend Jerry to Stephen Constantine

The former Manchester City coach praised the brand of football played by Delhi Dynamos…

coach Steve Coppell is pleased with the form of winger Jerry Mawihmingthanga after he scored one and assisted another in their 2-1 win over . The English coach mentioned that he would recommend his name to coach Stephen Constantine.

“Jerry is a solid, dependable, young lad who understands what is required. He is a very determined young man. He has got a strong mentality. I would say he has got a rosy future in Indian football. I will tell Stephen Constantine about Jerry if I see him. He is just half way now and he has got to concentrate and perform throughout the season,” said Coppell.

The former Kerala Blasters coach has at least three injury concerns ahead of their tie against on Sunday evening. However, the good news is that Trindade Goncalves could possibly make it into the matchday squad.

“Trindade has a foot injury. He got a kick on his foot in Goa and he wasn’t fit enough to be considered in the previous game and he is probably touch and go for tomorrow (Sunday) as well. I will take the final decision tomorrow morning after checking if he is fit enough to play. Mehtab (Hossain) came in the second half in the last match and he is fit to play tomorrow.

“I still have got a few injuries. Trindade, Belfort and Doutie…we have not seen him for a long time. These are three big losses in our squad. I hope they come back and join us by next week,” he added.

Jamshedpur FC have the meanest defence in the (ISL) this season but also they haven’t found much luck at the other end of the pitch. Coppell explained that his side play to their strengths and that he demands a clean-sheet in almost every game.

“I like to think that we don’t sacrifice the attack to defend better or vice versa. We just play according to the strengths and weaknesses. We go into every game to try and get a clean sheet. We were very disappointed to not to get a clean-sheet in our last game. We have been a little bit self critical. Next game we are playing against a Delhi team who are very pleasing on the eye going forward. They have some quick players so we have to try and cope with that and hit them on the counter,” said Coppell.

The former player mentioned that Delhi Dynamos are a tough team to beat given the manner in which they defeated in their last match.

“We are of course, taking them seriously. There is an old saying in football; you are as good as your last game. In the last game they beat Bengaluru and so they are obviously a very capable side. They were going through some developments in the first half of the season but now they have seemed to find a very attack oriented base. They are attacking in numbers which sometimes make them a little vulnerable at the back. I can only applaud the way they play,” he shared his thoughts.

He also praised the performances of Raju Yumnam and Ashim Biswas, who scored his very first ISL goal against Kerala Blasters

“I am very happy with their performances. I think Raju was excellent. He and Ashim both got cramps and so were replaced. Ashim scored a terrific goal, I know what a good goal scorer he is. Unfortunately, with the number of international players upfront, it becomes difficult for him to start. But whenever he has come to play, he has helped us win points. It’s nice to have him in squad,” said the experienced coach.

Jamshedpur FC have a busy schedule which shall see them play four matches in 13 days, of which three are away from home.

“We have to play four games in 11 (13) days. We are also travelling for three days. We don’t have much time to recover and rest. Four games in 13 days and then one in 16. I know it is part of the ISL and I appreciate that but for us in particular given the geography of Jamshedpur, it is challenging,” said Coppell.