Jamshedpur FC head coach Scott Cooper believes that his team needs to perform better in the offensive phases of the game as they face Odisha FC in their next Indian Super League (ISL) match at the JRD Tata Sports Complex in Jamshedpur on Friday.

The Men of Steel find themselves in the bottom half of the table, still figuring out the right balance to achieve positive results. They currently sit 10th in the league with five points from seven games. Having lost four games, drawn twice, and won just once so far this season, they have faced defeats in their last three matches.

Despite their poor record, Cooper believes that his team is playing good football. The area where they need to improve is decision-making, particularly in the final third.

“Everybody has identified that we play a good brand of football,” Copper stated in the pre-match press conference.

"We have the composure in the defensive and the middle. We need to bring more composure in the final third," he added.

Book now at the JRD Tata Stadium Box Office or beat the queue and book on Ticket Genie: https://t.co/QOdrOZLA7D #JamKeKhelo #JFCOFC #ISL10 #ISLonJioCinema #ISLonSports18 pic.twitter.com/hXKpAmDZMG

— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) November 30, 2023

Jamshedpur FC lost their previous game away to FC Goa by a narrow 1-0 margin. Despite keeping possession for significant periods of the game and making it difficult for FC Goa to score, the Gaurs eventually broke through and secured the only goal, earning them three points.

Cooper believes that fatigue and tiredness got the better of his team in that game. Nevertheless, he remains optimistic that his team can bounce back from their current position in future matches.

“In the game the other night against FC Goa, we defended well but it was just a little bit of fatigue at the end that cost us the match,” Cooper stated.

“It is not a time to panic regarding our position on the table. Tables don't mean anything until March or April time in any case,” he added.

Jamshedpur FC has been decent defensively, conceding seven goals in seven matches. However, their problem lies in attack as they have scored just four goals, which is the joint lowest number of goals scored by any team in the league this season.

Cooper feels that his players are aware of their shortcomings and understands that his team needs to improve in the final third of the pitch. He believes that enhancements in the final third will go a long way in improving his side's overall quality.

“Our players know what we are good at and they also know our strengths and weaknesses. We try to play good football that our fans can enjoy,” Cooper said.

“We know we need to improve in the final third of the pitch. We do not change who we are or what we do. We know that if we get it right in the last third a lot of teams will find it difficult to face us,” he added.

The Irish-English head coach also discussed absentees from his squad and informed that Pronay Halder will be out for the season due to injury and has undergone surgery. He also mentioned that Ritwik Das will continue his rehabilitation program to regain full fitness.

We have a lot of respect for the coach: Jeremy Manzorro

Jamshedpur FC midfielder Jeremy Manzorro accompanied head coach Scott Cooper in the pre-match press conference. The Frenchman has played five matches for Jamshedpur FC in the league but has not opened his account yet in India.

Manzorro feels that his young team has the desire to win and fight for each other.

“Our team is young. The atmosphere is the same. We want to win. We are happy to be together and that is what is required for a team,” Manzorro said.

Despite a difficult start to the ISL journey for Cooper, Manzorro believes he can help turn Jamshedpur FC’s form around, and everyone in the squad is fully behind the head coach.

“We have a lot of respect for the coach and I think he has the ability to push everyone to be better,” he added