Jamshedpur FC kick off their 2nd season in the Indian Super League on the 2nd October 2018; this is an analysis on their expected performance. With the departure of Coppell and Bikey, the Jamshedpur FC fans seemed sceptical about the performance the team could deliver in the upcoming season. However, the team management has come up with a ray of hope, and that too a promising one, with former Atletico Madrid coach Cesar Ferrando as the manager, and Australian and former Everton starlet Tim Cahill as the marquee signing.
Last season, though the defence was relatively strong with the presence of Mehtab Hossain and Tiri, the team lacked firepower with Bikey, the former Premier League veteran providing some pace both in the midfield as well as with wing runs while Belfort lacking lustre would be an understatement. It is here where Jamshedpur FC plan to boost up their efforts and Tim Cahill, might just be the answer to the same. ATK, who had brought in Postiga, the former Portugal star, also had a similar presence and Jamshedpur would like him to lead the offence.
According to the new rules of ISL, the teams can have a maximum of overseas players on a matchday, with no more than 5 on the field. So, Tiri would lead the defence, while the midfield will be led by the former Udinese player Carlos Calvo playing the No.10 role while Memo would play a defensive midfielder. Sergio Cidoncha will play as a free midfielder, playing a role similar to Isco at Madrid or Pogba at United.
Jamshedpur FC will have to go on with a modified 4-5-1 formation, with Soosairaj, the former Chennai City FC skipper playing as a winger and left midfielder as required, quite similar to his role at CCFC. Bikash Jairu, who has been with JFC since last season will play as the right winger and secondary striker as per situations. The great Indian veteran Subrata Pal will still be JFC’s No.1 while the new signings from Chennayin and Mumbai City Dhanachandra Singh and Raju Gaikwad will strengthen the defence alongside Gurung and Tiri.
Jamshedpur FC will have to learn from their mistakes from last season and will definitely have to pull up their socks in attack to think of any probable success this season. While the team began with a lot of enthusiasm, the energy of the team as well as the fans eventually flickered away with draws and boring football in almost every match. The presence of Calvo and Cidoncha this season would add a lot more playmaking ability and pace in the midfield with the Spaniards expected to dominate the mid-half with the kind of play Spaniards are known for. Memo will also provide for an extra defender and when all else fails, Subrata Pal will still be there to come to the team’s aid.
With the ISL restart just a matter of days away, Jamshedpur FC, having completed their pre-season in Spain with only 1 loss in 5 matches, seem to be prepared with fresh zeal and energy to contest for the top spot in the 5th season of Indian Super League.
