Pune: After a season to remember, FC Pune City are already having a season to forget so far. Following the first four games of the Indian Super League Season 5, they are languishing at the bottom of the table with just one point. The only solace for ‘the Stallions’ might be the fact that defending champions, Chennaiyin FC, too are keeping them company, above only on a goal difference, and have played a game more.
On Friday, on the eve of their match against Kerala Blasters, the interim coach Pradhyum Reddy stressed on the importance of picking up important points while stating that he would not want to pay attention to his side’s poor record against the visitors. Pune have managed to get better of Kerala just once so far while going on to lose the five matches over the span of four seasons.
In their last match against FC Goa, Pune did manage to score twice in quick succession, but they also allowed Gaur to score their all four goals within the first 35 minutes of the game, ending any hopes of a comeback in the first half itself.
So far FC Pune City has picked up the ball 10 times from their own net and rightfully it is a headache for the coach. “Conceding 10 goals in four games is a huge concern and something we need to rectify. We can’t pick up point if we keep conceding 2.5 goals per game,” said Reddy.
If the failed rearguard has given Pune enough a headache, the fans might breathe a sigh of relief when it comes to vanguard. Both Marcelinho and Emiliano Alfaro were on target against FC Goa and the duo, who scored at will last season would love to hit that purple patch once again.
But, the odds will still be stacked against the hosts when they host Kerala Blasters. But the first win of the season, would certainly lit up the Pune camp as the festive season and the second international break approaches.
“The situation that we are in the league table, every game is a must-win game for us. If you look at the table, if we win, we can move up from the bottom of the table and if we could win next two games, we will be somewhere around the fourth-fifth spot,” the 42-year-old coach signed off, hoping to get the first win of the season.