With their goalless draw against FC Goa, Mumbai City FC stretched their unbeaten run to five games and kept their fifth place standing in the Hero Indian Super League. The team’s biggest concern is now at the other end, as the Mumbai strike force has scored just twice in seven games since their 5-0 win over FC Pune City.

Head coach Peter Reid did not seem to be too worried, however, despite having to fend off many questions regarding the misfiring attack at the post-match press conference. In the Englishman’s view, since his side are still creating decent chances, it is just a matter of putting them away.

“If it was a dour 0-0, I wouldn’t know where to turn,” Reid said. “But we created chances, we just didn’t put them away.”

Asked if there was anything that needed to be changed in training to ensure that the goals would start flowing, Reid responded by saying there was no need for any major adjustments, as the players were performing just fine during practice sessions.

“You won’t believe this – in training, the finishing is fantastic. It’s absolutely fantastic,” Reid asserted. “But, in the pressure of the game, at this moment, we’re not delivering.”

The former Manchester City and Leeds United gaffer’s only criticism of his players was not the lack of finishing in general but the inability, at times, to work the rival keeper despite being in good positions. “If you have chances and the keeper makes saves, you hold your hands up. But when you get through in those positions, you’ve got to work the keeper,” he suggested.

The former Everton and Leeds midfielder could not fault his players for the work rate throughout the game, however. “Overall, I was delighted with the players, delighted with the effort. I was disappointed with just one thing – not finishing off the chances,” he rued.

Mumbai’s defensive quality gives the former England manager plenty of satisfaction, however. “I’m delighted with the performance. Defensively, we were good again,” Reid said. Mumbai have not conceded in the last five games, after shipping ten in three defeats earlier. The former England manager banked on his side’s defensive record as a big advantage for his side. “At this moment in time, we’re the hardest team to beat in the league,” he emphasised.

Reid was certain that with the defence playing the way it is, and his team continuing to create chances, it is only a matter of time before they start finding the back of the net again. “We can keep creating, and sooner or later, I promise you, we’ll stick it in the net.”