Two-time champions ATK suffered their heaviest defeat in the history of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) when they were beaten 5 – 1 by FC Goa at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Goa on Wednesday. With one game to play, ATK’s winless run extends to eight matches, out of which they have lost seven, including the last three.

Addressing the media during the post-match press conference was their interim head-coach Ashley Westwood, under whom the team is yet to register a win. The Englishman opined that his side were the better team for the opening few minutes before they gifted Goa a way to take the game away. “We had a game plan and I thought we started very well,” he stated. “For the first few minutes, we were the best side. They found it hard getting into the game and we had a few chances. But then we conceded from a set-piece and that was almost a free-header.”

He further elaborated, “You can talk about tactics, you can talk about anything, but if you don’t stop conceding from set-pieces and give them an easy goal, it is going to be hard. Especially, when you are low on confidence. We had such a poor run and once more our backs are against the walls. They get a lift because they scored the goal and then it’s hard to match their attacking players.”

The 41-year-old also admitted that injuries to key players was a major reason for the team’s poor show in the league this season. “Collectively across the tournament, without a doubt, injuries have been a reason for our form,” he remarked. “And if you take all the key foreigners out, then you are going to struggle. Add to that we also had Eugeneson (Lyngdoh), who is one of the best Indian players in the country, missing due to injury. We had around 40 injuries across the season in 17 games which is an alarmingly high number.”

Before wrapping up, Westwood also shared his frustration at not getting any results out of the team. “It’s extremely frustrating. I find it emotionally hard because you always want to be a winner,” he revealed. “I am a winner as a player and as a coach. But I also know how to make a winning side. You need to get the players early and put the system in place. You have to take care of fitness, nutrition and drive team-spirit, and as a coach you have to obviously educate. And when you come to a side that was not doing well and had many injuries as well, it is hard to affect it.”