Kerala Blasters coach Coppell wants team to be consistent

"I watched some of the footage of our matches from last season and from it I think we were pretty inconsistent and conceded goals in the last 15 minutes. We will try to be as consistent as possible this time year and be physically fit to last the short tournament," said Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell.

Kerala Blasters coach Steve Coppell insists that his side will continue to play attacking football.

English coach of Kerala Blasters Steve Coppell said that his team will be aiming to be consistent in the third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL). Reiterating that his side will play attacking football, Coppell said the team will be working to reach the fitness levels required to last the hectic schedule of the tournament.

“I watched some of the footage of our matches from last season and from it I think we were pretty inconsistent and conceded goals in the last 15 minutes. We will try to be as consistent as possible this time year and be physically fit to last the short tournament. We will also be trying to minimize the mistakes in defence this season. Our aim will be to use the width of the field and put pressure on our rivals,” the former English international said during the short interaction with the media at the Greenfield stadium here on Thursday.

Regarding the choice of Northern Ireland’s Aaron Hughes as Marquee player, Coppell said more than the reputation, he wanted a player who could last the rigours of short tournament which demanded prime fitness from players. “Hughes was playing recently in the European league and he has proved his fitness. Unlike other teams which opted for big names, I wanted a player who could serve the team well throughout the tournament. I thought Hughes was ideal player who will play with commitment and survive the tournament which can physically be a challenge to any player,” he said.

On Indian players, the English coach said he was impressed by little he saw of them and said their commitment was second to none. “The best Indian players are away with the national team but I am impressed with the commitment and eagerness shown by the rest of Indian players in the short time I spent with them,” the coach said.

The Englishman said the huge crowd at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in Kochi impressed him and expected the same support from the fans this year too. “I watched footage of some of Blasters’ home matches and it was unbelievable to see such big crowds. They were like the 12th men on the field for Blasters. I expect them to support us this season too,” said the coach.