Chennai
A gregarious coach John Gregory —what a big difference from his predecessor who was anything but elaborate —was at his best here on Thursday doing the job of an Emcee, giving introduction to each and every playing member and support staff of Chennaiyin FC, in his own inimitable style.
The 63-year-old Englishman called midfielder Bikramjit Singh “a tiger” and prefaced Nigerian striker Jude Nworuh as “one of the quickest guys in our team.”
Calling defender Henrique Sereno Fonseca of Portugal as champion of last season (he played for Atletico de Kolkata), and referring to the veteran defender Inigo Calderon Zapateria of Spain as one player whom “you will enjoy watching his game”, to describing winger Thoi Singh as one who “can run all day”, John turned a drab press conference a bit lively.
Introducing Rene Mihelic, who wears the No.10 jersey, John said “it [No.10 shirt] is a big shirt to wear with courage. It is known as a marquee player,” he said.
When asked about the difference in working with previous coach Marco Materazzi and John, Raphael Augusto said “there is always going to be a difference, and the intensity of training is better [with John].”
The side’s key striker Jeje Lalpekhlua said this is the best team in years and that Chennaiyin is keen to get back the Trophy for the club’s fans.
Dhanpal Singh hasn’t got the opportunity to show his wares in the first two seasons. While in the first season he had to recover from an injury, in the second he wasn’t given the chance he wished for. This time, the 26-year-old defensive midfielder is keen to make his chances count. “I am eager to play in all the matches and be in the starting XI,” he said.
On the team conceding late goals which turned out to be one of the main reasons the club finishing seventh, Sereno said “this year it will be completely different. We must do everything not to concede goals. We are prepared,” he said.
Earlier in a press release released by the Club, it said Apollo Tyres will be its Principal sponsor.