ISL 2017: Chennaiyin's fast start to the season a result of players stepping up and staying together

"The most one-sided game I've seen all season," a slightly annoyed John Gregory said after his Chennaiyin FC lost 1-0 away at Mumbai City FC this past Sunday in the 2017-18 Indian Super League.

The annoyance stemmed from the fact that his side had the measure of their opponents in this game and but for their wastefulness in front of goal may well have emerged from this contest with all three points. The fact that Mumbai's winner came from the penalty spot in what was itself a contentious decision will surely have soured his mood further.

That loss marked the end of Chennaiyin FC's three-match win streak which has seen them establish themselves at the head of the pack - there are four teams on nine points with Chennaiyin third on goal difference. It has been a dramatic turnaround since the first half of their first match, at home to FC Goa, where they looked all at sea as they went 0-3 down inside 45 minutes.

Compare that to now and the team has a very solid look about itself with its midfield and defence now key strong points for the champions from season two. Gregory has also arrived at the right shape, a 4-2-3-1, that seems to suit his side better.

Just about a week ago, Chennaiyin were involved in one of the most entertaining matches of this still young season. Their home meeting against ATK - defending champions, but struggling so far this term - was a slow-burn that burst into life in the second half, a 0-0 at half-time that finished 3-2 in favour of Chennaiyin at the final whistle.

'A close-knit bunch of lads'

Chennaiyin players celebrating a goal against ATK (Photo: ISL)

The last 15 minutes were absolute, complete, end-to-end chaos replete with defensive mistakes, gutsy attacking play and some well-taken chances. Jeje Lalpekhlua's winner in the 89th minute sent the home fans delirious and coach Gregory running out of his technical area to go celebrate with his players.

"We keep doing it week after week, just keep going," Gregory had said after that rip-roaring encounter. "It's a testament to the fitness level of my players and their willingness to keep working and keep going when things aren't going in our favour."

That fighting spirit has been witnessed in this Chennaiyin team since that disastrous first half against Goa. They fought back gamely in that one and came within a goal of snatching a point, completely outplayed NorthEast United in their next game, scored late away at FC Pune City to snatch three points and likewise last week against ATK when the Kolkata side pegged them back not once, but twice.

They couldn't muster one against Mumbai City on Sunday, but Chennaiyin's players seem to have come together much sooner than those in some of the other teams around the league, a point Gregory has touched upon constantly.

"You could see our squad tonight. I had to make a couple of changes here and there and the boys who came on as substitutes had an impact on the game. So it's all about our team. We're a very close-knit bunch of lads which I think was evident when we scored the third goal," Gregory exclaimed after the ATK game.

Spanish right-back Inigo Calderon too had touched upon it earlier in the season - "It's really, really good (the group dynamics). Until now, it has been so, so good. There are no groups. Like obviously, I can be better with Gavilan because he's from my country, but I feel comfortable with everyone and everyone else is also doing the same. And that's going to be really, really important."

Waiting in the wings, making an impact

Another factor in play in Chennaiyin's fast start has been the squad depth. Gregory has opted to ease players into the eleven and each player that he's introduced during the season has come in and made an impact.

Take Dhanpal Ganesh, for example. Omitted from the first game, Gregory opted to bring the lanky Tamil Nadu midfielder in from the second game onwards to play as one of two defensive midfielders. Since coming in, Ganesh has helped Chennaiyin control that area of the pitch along with his partner Bikramjit Singh, the former Mohun Bagan man, as the duo have been a revelation.

“I won’t want to play against him," Gregory had said about Ganesh before one of the games. "He’s tough. He’s good in the air. He’s good on the ball. He stays within his limitations. He doesn’t try to be what he’s not.”

Rene Mihelic (in white) is the latest player to be given a chance in central midfield by Gregory (Photo: ISL)

In the game against Pune, substitutes Jude Nworuh and Jaime Gavilan helped provide the crucial goal - Nigerian Nworuh's hustle down the left flank won them the corner and Spaniard Gavilan's pin-point delivery led to captain Henrique Sereno's winning header. Gavilan started against ATK in place of Raphael Augusto and again delivered the corner that led to the first goal.

"Before this game, I have not played much, but the coach gave me confidence, a chance to play and I'm very happy," said Gavilan after starting against ATK.

In that same game, needing to be a bit more expansive, Gregory introduced 19-year-old Anirudh Thapa in place of Bikramjit and what an impact he had on the game. Every time he got on the ball, he sprayed it around beautifully and drove the play forward with no hesitation. His composure in distribution was sensational. It was an impact not lost on Gregory after the game.

"He came on against ATK in front of this big crowd and he looked like he's been playing for the last 10 years. This kid is one to treasure. He's one of us; he's come through our junior team. Tonight, he never gave the ball away," said the Englishman.

The trend almost continued on Sunday. Yes, Mohammed Rafi missed easy chances and Thoi Singh fluffed a sitter. But it was once again showed us what Gregory has been talking about - the players in waiting just coming in and contributing immediately when given the opportunity.

What it has done for the club is given them a great start and a solid platform for this season. A week like the last one where they played three games in eight days is an absolute killer and all teams are going to face such a demanding week once this campaign. It helps when you have a squad that you can fall back on to ease you through such testing periods.

Under new stewardship with Gregory, Chennaiyin have so far put in solid performances that have put them squarely in the top half, one month into this latest season of the ISL.

Two massive southern derbies await for Chennaiyin next as they get ready to battle Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters. Gregory will be hoping that his squad remains sharp and the team chemistry stays intact like it has done thus far.