East Bengal FC head coach Stephen Constantine expressed that there was no lack of effort by the team as the Red & Gold Brigade went down to league leaders Mumbai City FC at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan, in Kolkata, on Friday, in the latest fixture of the Hero Indian Super League (ISL).

Lalengmawia Ralte's brace and Greg Stewart's goal meant Mumbai City FC reclaimed the top spot in the Hero ISL standings alongside extending their unbeaten run this season. Meanwhile, East Bengal FC sit in the eighth spot on the Hero ISL points table after consecutive defeats.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Constantine said his team did not lack effort against the Islanders and that there was a clear difference in the quality between the hosts and Mumbai City FC. Constantine further expressed that his side needed to make a few additions in the winter transfer window.

Here are the excerpts from Constantine's press conference:

You beat this team 4-3 in the preseason, do you think the team lacked effort?

I don't think there was a lack of effort at all. They tried very hard, it's just that you're playing against a team with I think any of their substitutes would play in our first team, let's be honest. They gave whatever they had but this is what we have. As for the pre-season, I don't compare pre-season, it's pre-season. If you remember that game, we had been training for maybe 12 days, they played a full side. We won that game, but it was a meaningless game.

Do you think the quality made the difference?

Don't you think? They have an unlimited budget. They have six very good foreigners. The Indian players, half of them are in the national team and we don't, so I think it's obvious.

Will you get a chance to make changes to your team in the winter transfer window?

I hope so, I have to speak with the club about this but yeah, we need to.