Chennai: Back to winning ways after a humiliating loss to FC Goa, two-time Indian Super League finalists Kerala Blasters will aim to continue their momentum when they face hosts Chennaiyin FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on Friday.
The Sachin Tendulkar co-owned franchise may have just one win and three draws from five outings, but coach Rene Meulensteen however calls it a part of developing process and is optimistic of things soon changing for them.
“The first task is to reassure my players that we’re in an ongoing process, still developing as a team and as individuals and you slowly put your jigsaw together. Apart from the Goa game, you have seen us getting more positive going forward, creating chances, opening teams up and scoring goals,” said the former assistant to Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester Untied.
But on Friday they face a team that has already netted 11 goals in six outings and led by Raphael Augusto and Jeje Lalpekhlua consists of one of the most balanced squad in the league. Meulensteen however remained hopeful of bringing an end to Kerala’s winless streak at the Marina Arena.
“The pitch looks good and I hope we can put a good performance,” said the Dutch tactician also adding that marquee signing Wes Brown and Pritam Singh will miss the away fixture.
Chennaiyin’s winning run of three games was put to end by Mumbai but the ‘Marina Machans’ have bounced back with a close victory against Debutants Bengaluru FC at the fortress. Head coach John Gregory however is not just satisfied with a win and wants more from his players.
“I’ll never be satisfied. I told my players that we should have more points on the board. We’ve messed up a couple of times and I’ve messed up a couple of times but I’m delighted how hard the players have worked in training and matches,” said the Englishmen.
Kerala are yet to win at the Marina Arena but Gregory is not bothered about it and when asked about it, he reiterated, “Not really, no (on Kerala’s previous record being important). We’ve never beaten NorthEast before this season but we kind of put that stat to bed by beating them. So, stats are there to be broken sometimes. It is not something we buy into, as a coach or a player. I only use stats when I think it gives me an advantage.”
Both the teams come to the fixture on the back of a win, but while Chennaiyin have converted nearly 20% of their chances into goals Kerala have managed to convert just 9% and Gregory hoped that this statistic will be enough to determine the course of the match.