ISL 2018-19: "It’s a kind of a cat and mouse game," says ATK coach Steve Coppell ahead of Jamshedpur FC tie

ATK are all set to play their first home match of the season when they play a higher placed Jamshedpur FC on Sunday evening. Englishman Steve Coppell feels that the match is going to be a ‘cat and mouse’ game considering the fact that Jamshedpur FC has lost just a single game this season. He wants to balance the whole act together in the upcoming clash at the Salt Lake Stadium.

During the pre-match conference, the veteran gaffer addressed, you look at Jamshedpur, they’ve only lost one game and don’t give much away. It’s a kind of a cat and mouse game, a balancing act where you don’t want to make many. But you look at Jamshedpur, they go forward in fear of counter-attacks. We need to find the right balance between attack and defending.”

He added,” They create many opportunities from set pieces and we have to be mindful of that. I know so many of the players that played with me last year. I know the strengths and weaknesses and I’ll hope to try and expose those as we’ll go forward. It’ll be a hell of a game for everyone watching.”

The Sanjiv Goenka-owned side has had problems in the attacking third throughout the season, but they are ready to mend their ways for the last lap of the Indian Super League season. Regarding the matter, the coach said, “It’s been an issue all season (attacking problem). We work very hard to try and create more opportunities. It may well be that we have a different approach tomorrow to have a more attacking threat."

With five matches still left, the Kolkata based side needs to collect as many points as possible to ensure a place in the top-four finish in the group stages. “We need a win right now. But at the same time, Jamshedpur also needs a win. IT’s a crossroad game at the moment. It’s the end of the road if we don't win tomorrow.”

ATK are currently at the sixth position in the standings with 17 points from 13 matches after they shared the spoils with Kerala Blasters FC in the last encounter. A win will enhance their chances of a knockout berth, although ATK need to win a few more to ensure that.