Kolkata: The Red and Gold coach Biswajit Bhattacharya will be under immense pressure to get full points against Aizawl FC match. With Bengaluru FC sitting pretty on top of the table with 12 points , even a draw will further peg them back . To make matters worse for the Red and Gold coach , there is a lot of injury concerns for his side . It’s not a happy dressing room either , with a few players expressing their dissent at not getting an opportunity in the team . The club officials had a meeting with the coaching staff and players after the practice session today . According to sources , Robert raised question about his omission from the team as the coach wants him in the reserve. Do-dong-Hyun may also start in the reserve bench . The Korean featured in the reserve team during the last 3 practice sessions. Dong wasn’t too happy either as he did express his frustration ,” I am happy with my performance till now. But as I am not scoring critics are shouting at me. As soon as I start scoring I will get my rhythm back. It’s up to the team management to decide whether I play or not but I am ready to play’. Dong feels East Bengal can still make a comeback in the league , “ East Bengal can still make a comeback from here . We had lost only one match. Still 11 matches are left to decide our fortunes. But we can’t lose a single point from here on.”
Today’s training session was comprised of situation practice and set piece movement. Dong scored a lot of goals from the dead ball situations. Bernard Mendy was used as a attacking midfielder with Mehtab Hussain. It’s almost certain that French international will be making his debut in the I-league for the Red and Gold jersey and will partner Mehtab Hussain in the central attacking midfield position so that he can provide support to Ranti Martins upfront. Biswajit Bhattacharya repeatedly insisted , his players cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes which they committed in the last match against Bengaluru FC. He asked his players to use both the flanks and put more stress on passing football .
According to the gaffer , “Aizawl FC has a strong midfield and two speedy wingers and according to situation I have set my game plan and conveyed it to my boys. I showed the video footages of their last few matches to my players . My boys have promised that they are not going to repeat the same mistakes.” Biswajit later added, “ I have not taken any decision on Dong yet but will take it tomorrow morning. Dong has played his own style of football till now but could not fulfill the team’s demands.” This is the first time in this year’s I-league that East Bengal will have all it’s four foreigners but it goes to be seen who starts in first XI . On being asked about Mendy, Biswajit Bhattacharya said, “ Mendy is a utility player and it’s obvious his inclusion will boost up the whole team as his experience will help us.
East Bengal club’s top official Debabrata Sarkar stood by the side of Dong . “Every player goes through a bad patch which is quite natural. Dong is a good player and will come back to form soon. “If someone goes through a bad patch, it’s the duty of other players to give more than 100% and cover up for players who are underperforming which is not at all happening till now”, he signed off.
Meanwhile disciplinary committee of AIFF will investigate into the complaint by East Bengal club against Westwood .
Probable Team : Barreto, Rahul Bheke, Arnab, Bello, Robert/Saumik, Mehtab, Mendy, Jairu, Dong/Sanju, Ranti , Rafique/Sabeeth.