Second-placed Chennaiyin FC will hope to cut the lead of table-toppers Bengaluru FC to just a point when they host the league debutants in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) 2017-18 at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday. Having beaten the Blues in the reverse fixture earlier this season, they would look to complete a double over the Sunil Chhetri-led side.

The 2015 Hero ISL champions have the least number of defeats so far in this season (3) and speaking to the media during the pre-match presser was their head coach, John Gregory.

Chennaiyin have had a variety of different scorers along with Jeje Lalpekhlua who has bagged seven goals. Elaborating on this, the Englishman said, “Jeje scoring that many goals is a testament to his goal-scoring abilities. But yes, everyone has chipped in with goals. Mailson (Alves) scored his first-ever goal in the Hero ISL. So, it’s great that everyone has taken the responsibility of trying to score. If we expect Jeje to score in every game, that would be a big burden on his shoulders. So, I am delighted that everyone is contributing this season.”

Many coaches have shared their befuddlement at the hectic schedule they have had to endure throughout the season. Gregory however, had no complaints with the fixture list. “We have never complained about it (the schedule),” he stated. “We’ve just got on with it. Everyone else has the same problem in various parts of the season. There is nothing you can do about it. We tend not to give any extra thought. It’s there, that’s our programme - we roll up our sleeves, get on with it and win our matches.”

The 63-year-old also refused to agree that their win over Bengaluru earlier in the season gave them an advantage going into Tuesday’s tie. “That is a misconception,” Gregory remarked. “We play every three or four days. If there is a bad day, we are back on the pitch after three-four days and erase the negative things of the defeat. In a couple of days, we are back on the training pitch and then we are on the pitch where we have to be.”

He further continued, “So, when the games come thick and fast, it is never a problem for me. My players have literally been playing every three or four days and have been getting positive results. I am sure they can’t wait to get back on the pitch against Bengaluru and am also sure the previous match has no detrimental effect for them.”

Before signing off, he shared some positive news regarding injuries. “We have a good squad and I have got choices to make tomorrow night for the match. So, we are going into this crucial period with a full-strength squad. We are all very comfortable.”