Jamshedpur FC had a disappointing Indian Super League (ISL) 2022-23 campaign. There were improvements late on in the season but that wasn't enough to give them a higher finish than tenth place. However, the improvements have had a knock-on effect on the new campaign as they have carried their form at the back end of last season into the new campaign, at least at the back.

After 16 games in the ISL 2022-23, the Red Miners had conceded 30 goals, their highest after as many games in any single ISL season, and kept just one clean sheet. Since then, the Men of Steel have registered a shutout in five out of seven games in the league, including two from three games in 2023-24.

Players with exceptional capability, such as Alen Stevanovic, Jeremy Manzorro, Rei Tachikawa, Imran Khan and Elsinho have been signed this summer to strengthen the squad even more, and evidently, it has shown the desired effect. Tachikawa has had all eyes on him in their offense while Elsinho has been the wall in their defence.

The Brazilian midfielder who has operated in a more defensive role has made 13 clearances in the ISL this season, the third most by any player. He is the only Jamshedpur FC player to register more than 35 touches in all three games that the Men of Steel have played this season.

The Red Miners are the only team this season to keep multiple clean sheets while also being the only team to have an expected goals-against tally of more than one in a game and keep a clean sheet. They have the best-expected goals-against (xGA) differential this season at -2.05.

xGA Differential in ISL 2023-24
Team	Goals Conceded	xG Against	xGA Differential
Jamshedpur FC	1	3.05	-2.05
NorthEast United FC	3	3.67	-0.67
Kerala Blasters FC	3	2.95	0.05
Mohun Bagan SG	2	1.84	0.16
Punjab FC	5	4.63	0.37

This brings to light the remarkable performance exhibited by goalkeeper Rehenesh TP who has an extraordinary save percentage of 91.67% this season. The Malayali custodian has made 11 saves in the ISL so far in 2023-24, the outright most by any player this season. He has also recovered the ball 33 times, the second most times by any player in 2023-24 behind Odisha FC midfielder, Ahmed Jahouh (39).

Flexible Cooper

Head coach, Scott Cooper, does like his players to press higher up the pitch, but Jamshedpur FC have had limited success there. Subsequently, they have resorted to absorbing the pressure, winning the ball back in their own half, and starting sequences from there. Winning back possession in their own defensive third 93 times this season, they have done so the most often by any team. In the final third, they have done so only 11 times.

Jamshedpur FC have logged 46 pressed sequences (sequences which begin and end within the opposition’s half with three or fewer passes completed) this season and have averaged five high turnovers (winning the ball back within 40 metres of the opposition’s goal) per game, the lowest of any team this season.

Put on the spot! Elsinho was quick to tell us his favourites in this #RapidFire. Are any of these your favorites as well? #JamKeKhelo #jamshedpur #rapidfire #favourite pic.twitter.com/MBCw7pq7ik

— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) October 16, 2023

Laldinpuia steps up

Pachuau Laldinpuia has been a great prospect for the club since his arrival in 2021, but this season he seems to have stepped up as the main centre-back for his team. He has won all five of his attempted tackles, the joint second most of any player with a 100% tackle success rate in the Indian Super League this season, just behind Chennaiyin FC defender, Aakash Sangwan (6). The Mizo defender has won back possession 19 times, the most often by any Jamshedpur FC player.

With players like Rehenesh, Elsinho and Laldinpuia, Jamshedpur FC still sit eighth on the league table due to an unimpressive performance from their attackers, having scored just one goal in three matches, which, they would be looking forward to mending in the upcoming matches.