“We will not change our style of play against FC Goa” – Owen Coyle looking to make it two wins in two

Chennai, December 25, 2019: Chennaiyin FC host table-toppers FC Goa in a Boxing Day clash at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here on Thursday. CFC gaffer Owen Coyle has an impressive record of four points out of six in his two games in-charge so far, having drawn 1-1 against Jamshedpur FC away before romping Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 in his first home game last Friday.

In his pre-match press conference alongside Man of the Match against KBFC, Lallianzuala Chhangte, Coyle was in a buoyant mood. “We are playing at home again. We are very respectful of FC Goa but we do not fear them. We understand their qualities but we know we have players who can harm the opposition. We showed that against Jamshedpur and Kerala,” Coyle said.

Reflecting on the win over KBFC that provided everyone associated with CFC a huge lift, Coyle added, “Every one of our players, they played the right way (against KBFC). They tried to pass and move and played with a smile. We want them to express themselves; try to win the games because that’s the best feeling.”

Defender Eli Sabia is set to miss out after picking up a red card following two bookings in the game against Kerala. But Coyle was unfussed, banking on his squad depth and unity to come through against a testing opponent. “Eli (Sabia) is suspended, who’s been a fantastic player for us. So that will be a miss. But that then allows someone else to step in, as what’s happened after the Jamshedpur game when Masih wasn’t fully fit, Germanpreet stepped in and was outstanding in the midfield with Thapa. So tomorrow another player will step into Eli’s shoes.”

Asked if Eli’s absence and the attacking threat FC Goa pose, Coyle answered, “Without giving away the game plan, all I can say is that we will not change our style of play.”

Coyle and his Assistant Coach Sandy Stewart have tried implementing their style of play after coming in and the former believes the effects are already showing. “When we came in, we’ve expressed how we want to play. Every coach has different ways and philosophies, there’s a whole different of ways to win but what we want to do is we want to play quickly with the ball. We have also shown how quick we are on the counter-attack but equally we also have to recognize we have conceded some (soft) goals and we haven’t scored enough so we have to find a balance between the defence and the attack.”

Talking specifically about the second goal against KBFC, Coyle stated his satisfaction, saying “That was a fantastic team goal. We made six or seven passes before that and what we have always stress upon is that we have fantastic individuals but our strength will be as a group.”

Coyle will be hoping for more of the same as his side take on a tougher opposition in the form of FC Goa, with back-to-back wins and further moving up the table on top of the agenda.