Kerala Blasters FC’s new signing Chris Dagnall has assured fans there will be no lack of effort on the team’s part in its quest of the Hero Indian Super League trophy. The Kerala-based team played the final in the inaugural season last year but failed to get the better of Atletico de Kolkata. The 29-year-old English striker shows his understanding side when reminded of fans’ expectations.“I think, I don’t blame them for expecting us to win the title because last year Kerala Blasters got to the final. I think this year they should expect us to push on and win the title and I hope we produce everything for them,” Dagnall told indiansuperleague.com in an exclusive interview.Having been undone by a late winner from a corner last season, KBFC are leaving nothing to chance this time. The addition of Dagnall is sure to bolster their offense. This will be the Liverpool-born footballer’s first professional experience abroad in a 12-year career, which saw him make his debut at the age of 17. Continuing on fans’ expectations, he said: “I don’t think you get more demanding fans [anywhere] than you get in the UK. I think across the world they are probably the most demanding fans you can get, they are always on your back, for you or against you every week.“But as far as I believe of fans over here, they support you 100% whether you do bad or good so I’m looking forward to that. And people told me you get over 30,000 fans a game, I’m looking forward to that support behind me every week. I don’t feel nervous, I feel excited to play in front of Kerala fans and hopefully it will be a good experience.”Dagnall is also looking forward to renewing his relationship with Head Coach Peter Taylor with whom he has previously shared the dressing room at Bradford City. Dagnall enthuses at the prospect of resuming his working relationship with his former gaffer. “Well, he’s managed [me briefly] and I played for Bradford City a couple of years ago. But apart from that I’ve never really played under Peter Taylor until we got in contact during the summer but I spoke to quite a few lads who have played under him and they say he’s a top-quality coach. He likes to be informed on a day-to day-basis, his man management is top draw. So I am really looking forward to playing under him and I’m sure the Indian lads and the other foreign lads will get to know what a top quality coach he is. His record speaks for itself, I’ve been here two weeks but his coaching has been brilliant.”When asked if the league has all the ingredients to be world-class, Dagnall responds in the affirmative. “I think so. I know it’s the second year coming now. I think the atmosphere, the crowd, and the attention that the ISL is bringing us after the first year is going to increase every year. And now the percentages will match other leagues in the future, I think after a few more years I don’t see why not. I think the attendance they got after the first year is unbelievable. Could be because the fan base of Kerala Blasters is broad, it could be one of the biggest in Europe. So I don’t see why in the next 3, 4 or 5 years why it can’t be one of the best leagues in the world,” he opined.Kerala Blasters FC begin their pursuit of the coveted Hero ISL trophy on October 6 against NorthEast United FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi.
