Kerala Blasters FC travel to the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to take on Bengaluru FC in their last Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 encounter on Thursday. Kerala’s hopes regarding semi-final qualification were dashed when FC Goa beat ATK 5-1 on Wednesday, and hence they will be fighting for bragging rights against their Southern rivals. Maximum points will also allow the visitors to gift their passionate fans a fitting farewell to the season.

On the eve of the match, Kerala’s head coach David James spoke to the media during the pre-match press conference and shared his thoughts on the team’s current results. “It’s frustrating because five games ago, we had set a target of six wins that would ensure our qualification and now five games later, we are unbeaten, but still at the mercy of other teams,” he stated. “We are giving it our best go. One win and a loss would have been better than two draws, but being unbeaten sounds better.”

Regarding their opponents Bengaluru, the Englishman acknowledged their strength. “Bengaluru are a very good side and they have to be respected for their footballing capabilities,” he remarked. “That makes the game tough for us. We are also playing on their pitch which makes it extra tough. But it’s another game of football and we need to win the game.”

A full-strength squad is available to James and he explained how he would select his squad. “We only need one goal. A 1 – 0 will do and I don’t care who scores,” he said. “We have a full-strength squad. That means every player is available for selection and it’s down to how the squad plays. We are playing a different opposition in Bengaluru. That is why they are so far apart in the league. So, the team selection would be based on how to nullify Bengaluru’s strength.”

Before leaving, the 47-year-old also lauded his squad and their mindset. “This is a side with a lot of quality and self-belief,” he opined. “All you need to do is get the right kind of people around the players to encourage the self-belief. I think we have done that. We have not been perfect because we have lost two games and drawn three. There is still work to do. There is always room for improvement in football. I have inherited a quality group of players and all I can do as a head coach is to get the best out of everybody.”