Mumbai City FC head coach Peter Reid admitted that his side had not been good enough to qualify for the semi-finals of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) and that he was looking forward to end the campaign on a high. Speaking ahead of Mumbai City’s clash with NorthEast United FC in Guwahati, the former Everton player was honest in his assessment of their campaign, “I think we just haven’t been good enough. We have missed our best players at crucial times but that should not be an excuse. That is when the strength and depth of your team comes into the picture, but somehow, we failed to deliver.”The Englishman praised the playing surface at the Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium, “I think the ground is in fantastic condition. The groundsman deserves a lot of credit for it. We are looking forward to a good game tomorrow. We have heard a lot about the fans here and how they get behind their team. It is going to be interesting,” he said.Reid also spoke about the need for improved infrastructure and facilities if teams were to grow after the first edition, “I feel that if the ISL is to succeed in a true sense, then we need to build on everything and try and upgrade the infrastructure and training facilities. According to me, the first season has been a huge success and people have lapped it up.”The English gaffer provided an update on the injuries that were plaguing his squad: “If I start, we will be here all day. (Syed Rahim) Nabi is out, (Freddie) Ljungberg is not fit, (Nicolas) Anelka has not travelled and (André) Moritz has still not recovered. In addition, Asif (Kottayil) also picked up a knock in the last game. He will not be involved.” “Look, I want to win and I am sure that my boys want to win as well. We will try and do that tomorrow and hopefully, finish on a brighter note”, he added.When asked if he had any regrets about the games that Mumbai City could have won but had ended up drawing instead, Reid frankly replied, “I am never one to think about what could have happened. But yes, if I am honest, it does pinch me. As you mentioned, those were games in which we dominated and created so many chances. Even if we could have taken one of them, we would be in a different position now. But then, that’s football.”The former England international also laughed off the idea of “seeking revenge” against the Highlanders who had beaten them 0-2 in the first leg. “I do not believe in revenge. Kolkata beat us on the opening night and we beat them on our home turf. That is how the ISL has been. We have been one of the strongest sides on paper but not delivered the results expected of us. We will definitely look to win, make no mistake about that,” he declared.Pavel Čmovš reiterated his head coach’s stance of finishing their campaign with a flourish. “We are focussed on the game. We want to win it badly. We won our last home game and we would like to win our last away game too. All the boys are keen to see it through,” the Czech defender said.
