I-League 2017: East Bengal's Trevor Morgan - The loss is a massive setback for us

Manasi Pathak

I-League 2017: East Bengal's Trevor Morgan - The loss is a massive setback for us image

New entrants Chennai City did the unimaginable by grabbing full points against Kolkata outfit East Bengal at the JL Nehru Stadium in Chennai on Sunday evening. Prasanth Karuthadathkuni's injury time goal meant East Bengal fell behind in the title race as they trail Khalid Jamil's Aizawl by three points.

Speaking of the displeasing outcome, Trevor Morgan stated it was a huge mishap for his side. ''The loss is a massive setback, without a doubt. The errors were unexplainable. We’ll end up where we deserve to end up (on the table),'' he expressed.

Further, he mentioned that the season isn't over yet and one can't anticipate the results, especially after the consequence at Chennai.

''There are still 12 points to go. 12 points, it’s a must win situation. We were in a really good position. But, sometimes you can’t really do anything,'' claimed Morgan.

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Discussing about the performance, the 60-year-old pointed out the errors committed by his defensive forces. The manager said that his squad had a tough time dealing with the Southerners' Africa-born blokes.

''It is disappointing that we were in a good position and then did we do enough to try enough to get back in the game? Did we do enough to try and win it? We seemed to trouble defensively against the African strikers,'' cleared Morgan. To add to it, he commented that the side has been shaky lately. ''In the last few games, we haven’t been strong enough to stay up to the challenge that the opposition has given to us,'' he remarked.

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On being asked if the 2-1 loss pressurizes the club, the Englishman replied, ''There’s always pressure on East Bengal.'' He disclosed that the vanquishment won't stop him from flying to Australia although he'd had loved departing on a good note.

''The result won’t change my plans regarding the trip to Australia. Of course, it would have been lovely to have gone into the (international) break with a win but it’s not meant to be,'' affirmed the ex-Bristol Rovers player.

All teams of the league will now head into a stoppage of nearly a month following the commencement of the international break. On being asked about his thoughts on the interval Morgan claimed he is unaware of its effect on the team. Moreover, the boss propounded that the West Bengal- based team will now have to rely on other sides in the tournament for a bright outcome.

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''I don’t know if the international break would be bad. There are still four games to go but now we depend upon other people. Had we won today, it would have been in our hands. Now we have to rely on other teams and hope results go our way,'' he voiced.

A day prior to the Reds and Golds' matchday, title contenders Mohun Bagan and Aizawl had both shared spills, providing a great chance to Trevor Morgan and company to capitalize from. But, Soundararajan's Yellow and Green army got the better of the visiting side.

''Both teams (Aizawl and Mohun Bagan) are happy that we lost just like we were glad that they had dropped points on Saturday. There was a great chance for us to take advantage of last night (Saturday)'s result and we have come up short,'' reflected the gaffer.

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Lastly, debating as to what went wrong for his side which cost them the three points, Morgan explained that the lack of competence in his defense was of the reasons.

''We were just off the pace, a little bit, in the second half. We couldn’t deal with the physicality of the players in their team. Our midfield players are more or less of the same size, no one is a six footer here but we have some good lads here. They know good football and are competitive. But, they aren’t competitive enough for the physical challenge. We need someone who can upset the opposition and we don’t have that now,'' he signed off.

 

Manasi Pathak