02 November,2014 08:23 AM IST | | Amit Kamath
Mumbai coach urges team to defend better against Kerala Blasters tonight
Chennaiyin FC's Jeje (right) celebrates a goal vs Mumbai on Tuesday. Pic/ISL/Sportzpics.
Ahead of his side's Indian Super League (ISL) clash against Kerala Blasters at Navi Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium on Sunday night, Mumbai City FC coach Peter Reid has lambasted his defence and demanded that they step up. Having lost three out of their four matches including the 1-5 drubbing in their last game against Chennaiyin FC, Reid's men are languishing in eighth place in the eight-franchise league.
Chennaiyin FC's Jeje (right) celebrates a goal vs Mumbai on Tuesday. Pic/ISL/Sportzpics.
"If you defend like that (like in the game against Chennai), you cannot win football matches. In the game against Chennai, we didn't pass the ball and didn't defend well. We need to tighten up as a team. We have to be more professional and disciplined in our defending and not concede cheap goals," Reid told reporters on Saturday.
Peter Reid
Having seen his team concede 10 goals in just four games, Reid revealed that after the Chennai loss, he had a video-analysis session with his team, focusing on their defensive lapses. "We had a video session where I went through our mistakes technically and then practiced our defending in a training session on Friday," he said before adding that his defence will play deeper than they did in the Chennai clash.
Reid's side will be buoyed by the presence of central defender Pavel Cmovs, who missed the game against Chennai due to a suspension.
Kerala Blasters, meanwhile, are placed fifth in the standings, with a win and a draw out of four games - a creditable run of results, considering they are yet to play at home. Kerala's marquee man and coach, David James, said that his team would not be scared of anyone. "Nicolas (Anelka) is looking good. I played with him back at Manchester City so I know what he can do. But we're not going to be scared of anyone," James said.
Live tonight: Mumbai City FC vs Kerala Blasters FC: Star Sports 2, Star Sports 3, Star Sports HD 2, 19:00
