Kerala Blasters FC came from behind to edge Delhi Dynamos FC 2 – 1 in Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Saturday. Debutant Deependra Negi scored with his first touch in Hero ISL and Iain Hume converted a spot-kick after the Lions had taken the lead through Kalu Uche’s penalty. The win propelled last year’s finalists to the fifth spot in the table and addressing the media during the post-match press conference was their head coach David James.

James explained what made him include Negi in the team, before going on to praise the 19-year-old. “We had to make some changes,” he said. “It was quite literally at the eleventh hour. We knew what the task was at hand and we went about the job. It was a performance by a group of players who don’t give up. He came in and looked like a natural in that position. We weren’t getting the ball forward, he came in scored the first goal of the season, so well-done Negi!”

The 47-year-old highlighted the factors that led his team to a win after trailing at half-time. “The formation is one thing and the performance is another,” James stated. “We started very well; it was one of our best starts. But then we went a goal down and at half-time we knew that we had to win. The spirit inside the dressing room is top drawer. Talk about three points for us; it’s all in the mind.”

James went on to speak in glowing terms about the transfer window that was introduced in the league. “The ISL is in a major transition period,” he inferred. “It’s the first time we’ve had the transfer window. Of course, we’re looking at players at other clubs. If our players become desirable to other clubs, we enter into a traditional transfer situation which I think is healthy for Indian football.”

The former Liverpool custodian also spoke highly of all the members in his squads. “I’ve got confidence in all my players- Indian or foreign,” James remarked. “Some of them are not playing because of injuries. I’m not even thinking if they’re foreign or Indian, if they’re in our squad they’re good enough to play.”