NorthEast United FC head coach Khalid Jamil expects things to get better as they gear up to take on SC East Bengal in their Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2021-22 match at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, in Goa, on Friday evening.

The Highlanders will aim to find options to return to winning ways in the battle of the bottom two clubs in the standings after successive losses against Odisha FC and Hyderabad FC.

NorthEast United FC head coach Khalid Jamil addressed the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of Friday’s game.

Here are the excerpts from the press conference:

How do you plan for SC East Bengal who are on the bottom of the table?

Jamil: They are a good side. Each team in the ISL is in good shape. We have to think about our own game, think positive and we must get those three points.

What do you think has gone wrong this season?

Jamil:I have been unable to get the full squad. Since the first game, some players had to miss out either due to food poisoning or an injury. I am not giving any excuse but I have never gotten the six foreigners to be available for selection at the same time. For this game, (Deshorn) Brown and (Federico) Gallego are out as well but no matter the situation, we have to fight. I believe in the boys and I know they will play confidently and everything will be fine after this game.

After four losses, do you think the players are facing challenges to mentally bounce back?

Jamil: No, I don't agree. We have experienced Indian players. I don’t think there is any problem there. With regards to confidence, sometimes you are unlucky but hopefully this time will luck favour us. The remaining players are working hard as well.

Highlanders’ defender Patrick Flottmann was also present at the press conference and addressed the questions put forward:

Patrick, this has been your first visit to India. How would you sum up your overall experience playing here for the first time?

Flottmann: It's different style of football as compared to back home and the conditions obviously a bit different. But, I think it's a really good league. It's has a really good standard. And I have really enjoyed it so far.

Which factor did you evaluate to join NorthEast United FC in Covid times? Did you personally speak to Khalid before signing for the club?

Flottmann: I'd obviously heard a bit about the ISL before coming over because quite a few Australians have been playing here in the past couple of seasons. And I had played with (Adam Le) Fondre as well who won last year playing for Mumbai City FC. And I spoke with him a bit about India before leaving, and he had high praise for the league.

Before signing as well, I spoke with the coach and his philosophy, his way of coaching and the way he goes about things in a football sense. That really interested me. That was kind of an icing on the cake. I suppose that's why I wanted to come. I'm really glad I did, because I've learned a lot so far, and I'm really enjoying it.