Road to ISL playoffs: Edu Garcia comes in late; 5 things ATK got wrong this season

#4 Missing the attacking impetus up-front

Kalu Uche failed to deliver his promise of scoring goals for ATK

In the 2017-18 season, ATK had leaked in 30 goals in 18 matches. Only eighth-placed Delhi Dynamos had conceded more in the competition. Keeping that in mind, Steve Coppell's first task in hand was to stabilize the defence. After playing 17 matches, the oppositions have scored 21 times against them, an achievement the team can be proud of. However, it came at a cost. And, the cost was the attacking impetus compromised up front.

ATK has only scored sixteen times in the season so far, tied with the bottom-placed Chennaiyin FC. Further embarrassing statistics like taking the lowest number of shots in the league (174), scoring the lowest number of goals in home matches (7), and scoring only two goals through their forwards only show the dire condition of their attack.

Kalu Uche was roped before the season to ensure the side had firepower up front. However, the Nigerian and replacement Emiliano Alfaro's injury coupled with Eli Babalj and Indian international Balwant Singh's profligacy meant that the ATK forwards didn't trouble the oppositions at all.