It's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere: Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson
Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson is expecting an interesting game and feels that the atmosphere is going to be 'unbelievable' as the Blues host Kerala Blasters FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
Bengaluru FC head coach Simon Grayson is expecting an interesting game and feels that the atmosphere is going to be 'unbelievable' as the Blues host Kerala Blasters FC in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Bengaluru, on Saturday.
Both teams are currently looking to cement their place in the playoffs with Kerala Blasters FC in the third place and Bengaluru FC in the sixth position in Hero ISL points table. The Blues are coming into the fixture with five wins on the trot. Kerala Blasters, on the other hand, won their previous fixture against Chennayin FC, but have been winless in their last three games.
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Bengaluru FC are coming strong at the right time and a win can put the home team in fifth place in the Hero ISL points. Grayson shed light on how the team is in a positive frame of mind and said the last three games will play a big part in defining Bengaluru FC's season.
"We're in a good positive frame of mind that the results that we've had recently, performances, five wins on the trot is the place of confidence. There's a fine line between confidence and overconfidence. And we certainly know we've not achieved anything yet. Saturday is another big step to where we want to get to. And obviously, it's about the added spice. It's going to be an unbelievable atmosphere. So the mood in the camp is good. The boys have trained well, recovered well and these last three games, they are going to be very interesting and can play a big part in our rest of the season," Grayson said in the official pre-match press conference.
The Englishman has fielded the same playing eleven in the last five matches, but he would have to do without midfielder Suresh Wangjam who is suspended for the fixture against Kerala Blasters FC. Grayson explained the team have formed a partnership in different positions and players on the bench can win the game for the Blues on Saturday.
"Like I think we've said all along and I've been very true to the players. If the team is doing well, we will keep the same team unless I need to make any drastic changes to it. And then you get confidence and partnerships form. Siva (sakthi Narayanan) and Roy (Krishna) have played together the last five games and you can see the partnership and relationship growing and that's the same with midfield players and wing-backs and centre-backs. Somebody will come into the team on Saturday night and do Suresh's (Wangjam) job and hopefully, contribute to three points. A lot of players have been waiting patiently for the opportunity to come back into the team. The strength in depth on the bench is really strong. And we could win the game on Saturday night from our bench and the last substitutions that we make," Grayson added.
The Blues take on Kerala Blasters FC, FC Goa and Hyderabad FC in the last three league fixtures, who are above them in the Hero ISL points table. Grayson talked about the team's approach regardless of opposition, and highlighted the importance of keeping Kerala Blasters FC midfielder Adrian Luna quiet in the upcoming game
"Regardless of whether the team is at the top or at the bottom of the division. All we need to focus on is who we're playing in this game, the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition, what we can do to be doing enough to win the game. They have good players and (Adrian) Luna is probably one of the best players in the division. And we have to make sure we look after him well and other players as well," stated Grayson.
Grayson lauded the Indian players for their form, who have kept foreign players like Aleksandar Jovanovic and Bruno Silva out of the playing eleven. With the likes of Sunil Chettri and Udanta Singh on the bench, the Blues have strength in depth.
"We've suffered a lot of injuries over the course of the season and now we are in a real good place obviously with the injuries and that can only help us. We've got Pablo (Perez), Alek (Aleksandar Jovanovic), Bruno (Silva) you got three foreigners and that's a rarity that you start with three foreigners on the bench when they're all available. And that was a credit to the Indian players who have kept the places and then you got Sunil (Chettri), and Udanta (Sigh) international players, one iconic, the legend of the game. So we've got the strength in depth now that I can change the team, take off players if they're not doing what I need to do or we need to change, to do something differently. First part of the season, was very difficult. We didn't really have that strength in depth," Grayson concluded.
Roy Krishna accompanied Bengaluru FC head coach Grayson in the pre-match press conference. The Fijian striker has scored three goals in the last four games. Krishna stated the game against Kerala Blasters FC will be special, but the players need to focus on their roles.
"I think the fixture is special. But at the same time you know, it's just three points which need to go there and play our game, like we've been doing in the last few matches, so nothing special just focus on our individual roles and what we need to do," Krishna said in the official pre-match press conference.
The 35-year-old only had one goal in the first 13 appearances before scoring three goals in the last four matches. Krishna highlighted how he continued to enjoy himself in training and how he has formed a good partnership with Narayanan up top.
''I knew it was coming. I took a lot but in training, I was just being myself just enjoying and then, I think just little moments where it clicked and then with Siva (Narayanan) you can see we're looking up, sometimes I'm dropping down and sometimes he's going, so the defenders don't know what to do. So yeah, I'm enjoying and Siva knows my game really well now, and I'm trying to help him and give him whatever knowledge I have,'' Krishna concluded.