“We are massively massively underdogs but sometimes underdogs win” : Robbie Fowler sends a strong message to ATK Mohun Bagan

Robbie Fowler during the press conference. (Picture Courtesy – SC East Bengal)

XtraTime Web Desk – SC East Bengal will make their long awaited debut in Indian Super League as they take on their arch rivals ATK Mohun Bagan. Robbie Fowler, the head coach of the club on Thrusday

The pre-match press conference started with the biggest footballing news in the world right now. Robbie Fowler said about Diego Maradona that, “He’s arguably one of the greatest players and it’s very sad thing. We knew he always had various problems within this life but that doesn’t take away the absolute quality of a player he was. I was lucky enough to meet him few times. I found out that he’s a remarkable man as well. It’s a real real sad loss for football. Because as a player he was just incredible. Whenever we talk about great players, Diego Maradona is certainly one of the best ever. It’s a sad loss and he will be missed by many many people”.

Coach Fowler then spoke about his SC East Bengal squad, saying, “Yeah I think anytime. We have prepared properly, we have prepared right. We know it’s been a really short time in preparation but the players are ready. So we go into this game as good as we can be. There are few niggles but that’s accepted. That will be the case throughout the league”.

All the matches of this season’s ISL will be happening behind close doors. Robbie Fowler wants the fans to be there but he understands as he said, “Ideally you want your fans to be there. You want the fans right behind you, to give everything they have got for us. See, there will be a time when the fans will get back into the ground and support us. Right now we know the fans are with us within spirits. So, we are going to go out there and perform the best we can and try to focus on the game and not on the surroundings. It’s a tough match but regardless of who we play or where we play, It’s never the same without the fans”.

Robbie Fowler is yet to see the passion of East Bengal fans but anyhow he’s in love with the country. He said, “I’m loving it in India. It’s been a real eye opener. Obviously in the bubble, in the hotel just to train and play games now, it’s been different. Now, what we have done with the players is we have got them to enjoy the environment, enjoy the occasion. Now, we are ready and we all are looking forward to it”.

Comparing Kolkata Derby to Merseyside derby, Fowler said, “I’m not a player. All I can do is give advice to the players to play with their heads. We all want to win the games but you gotta be sensible. You will have to do the right things and not carried away. We know there’s a lot at stake but also there’s a game to be played the right way”.

Fowler then spoke about the advantages and disadvantages of playing their first game as a Derby. “You know what, I really don’t know. You can ask me the same question after the game. The advantages are like we know a little more about ATK Mohun Bagan than they do about us. So obviously, we have prepared ourselves that way. As for the disadvantages, we have not played before and maybe we are going into the game a little bit rusty. ATK Mohun Bagan has played a game so they probably know more about themselves that they do about us. It’s never about the opposition, it’s all what we can do. We have prepared properly. Play the way we can and believe in ourselves”.

Even loved India but however didn’t gave a fitting reply when he was asked about his Indian players. “We have enjoyed the environment. It’s different than any other time. Not just in ISL but in any League all over the world. When you’re in this environment where everyone is top of each other then it can work either for you or against you. What I have noticed is that in this camp, everyone is together. The togetherness we have showed, we have had so far has been quite remarkable”.

When a journalist asked whether Goa’s climate will be a problem to SC East Bengal or not, Fowler said, “I don’t think so. We have trained in all sort of weathers. By the time the match will happen, it’ll be cooler. So, I don’t think it’ll be a problem. We don’t wanna give excuses. We will give you reasons for bad performances or goals conceded or scored. There’s two teams playing. The better the team adapt to the conditions, will get the result”.

Fowler then cleared that if his players seeks motivation from him then they are in a wrong game. “If they get motivated by me then they are in a wrong game. They should be motivated in every game regardless of who’s playing, who the manager is.. that shouldn’t be the case. If my players come to me and say we will win this game for this and that coach, I think they shouldn’t be playing football”.

SC East Bengal didn’t get enough practice time but Robbie however thinks, his team is good to go. “Ideally we would have loved a little more time but we have accepted it, we have moved on. We are maybe 2-3 weeks behind everyone else in terms of preparation but we can only do what we can do. We have prepared the team right, prepared the team good”.

Speaking about the facilities in Goa, the Liverpool legend said, “Yeah, the facility put on by the club has been brilliant. We look after the players. The hotel is brilliant. We go to the training by a little bit of drive. Ground wise, we haven’t seen the ground. We are not allowed to. So, that maybe ruined a little bit look it’s a stadium and it’s a football match..”.

Robbie called ATK Mohun Bagan is a great club but it’s not them but more about SC East Bengal. He said, “ATK Mohun Bagan retained 80-90% of the players that won the league last year. So, we know they are a good side. We know how organised they are. The manager has prepared and well drilled but it’s not about them or any of their players. They have lots and lots of good players. I had Brad Inman last year in Australia. I’ve played with David Williams and Roy Krishna came on trial when I was in Australia. I know what type of players they are, I know they are dangerous players but we focus on us. It’s never about the opposition. We will study them but the focus is on us”.

Robbie Fowler during his days in Australia.

He thinks ATK Mohun Bagan will be the favorites and SC East Bengal are massive underdogs. “Well quite rightly so. I have said before that the players in ATK Mohun Bagan has been together for good few years now. So, they are well organised, well drilled, Champions last year, so yeah of course we are a new team. We are massively massively underdogs. We know that but sometimes underdogs win. We know that and we will go there. In Football sometimes do cause upsets and that’s our plan”.

The gaffer sends a message to all the fans saying, “My message to the fans is to keep believing in us. Keep supporting us. I know you’ll. I know the support of this club has been incredible. Tomorrow, when we play, as much the ground will be empty, there will be millions and millions of people watching us and supporting us from far and I want to thank every single one for that”.

The coach then cleared why they don’t have a number 7,9 and 10 Jersey number. “It’s a good question. In modern football, player wears those numbers and even in social media people are asking me. See, it’s never about the number or the name at the back of the shirt. It’s about this (emblem) that matters. I know the players who will be playing will give 100%. So, numbers for me don’t matter”.

Robbie Fowler is quite happy with the captain and vice captain. He thinks they will represent SC East Bengal really well as he said, “We are quite fortunate that we have got lots of leaders. We have a lots of winners at this club and we have a lot of focal people who can bring out the best. Danny Fox and Anthony Pilkington has been brilliant. They are keeping everyone together. We have got a leader of leaders in form of Danny Fox and Pilkington. That makes us a better and more competitive team”.