The club had many chances from 2011 to 2014 to win the I-League and the same holds true for 2016 and 2017. But, almost invariably, a good first half of the season was followed by a slump in the second, which has seen them fall at the final hurdle, repeatedly.
Markedly common to almost all of EB’s nearly seasons in the league over the last decade has been the club management’s hire and fire policy, hoping in vain, to stumble upon the winning formula. They have kept up the trend in the last two seasons, first inexplicably going back to Trevor Morgan, who had failed to deliver in his first stint and now, buying in wholesale numbers from the reigning champions,
It has become clear that the club’s management has paid little heed to addressing the team’s deeper problems or assembling a balanced, well-rounded squad and instead have naively opted for maverick spending in their quest for the elusive title. With that being so, one has to ask the question as to how much of the Red and Gold’s persistent failings in the league are an accident and how much a consequence of their unplanned and haphazard style of functioning.
Be that as it may, with the merger of the I-League and ISL likely happening next season, if East Bengal fail to win the league in its last edition, the club’s supporters and fans will have to carry the burden of not winning the title on their shoulders till they breathe their last.
For the players, it could be argued; it matters less, as they are professionals and will move on to other clubs sooner or later. But, the biggest losers in East Bengal’ unheralded recent history, are the cub’s fans, who have undoubtedly been the most oppressed in Indian football.
Kolkata derby is still the biggest and the most fascinating game in Indian football
Relevance of the Kolkata derby
The sport in the country is at a curious crossroads and with a prolonged merged league likely to feature the derby well into the 21st century, it is this culture that the authorities must strive to emulate or foster.
Bengal football is hardly perfect, far from it. Progress has been hard to come by, with the management of the three Kolkata clubs failing to capitalise on the power of the fanatical fanbases. The state may not have made rapid strides in terms of producing talent in the last few decades, but the passion here is for all to see. There is no replacement for organic, shout-your-lungs-out zealousness. You either have it or watch it develop slowly.
It is this fervor that casts the dice for a culture of banter, expectation and footballing quality to set in, irrespective of whether those goals are met.
The AIFF has also confirmed that Indian Arrows will move to Delhi for
their next three matches - also during the Christmas week - and then
possibly return to Goa for the remainder of their 'home' matches at the
GMC Athletic Stadium. Indian Arrows played their first two matches in
Goa due to unavailability of the stadium in Delhi but were keen to
extend their stay here.
Arrows can have base in Bhuwaneswar as the city has a good sports complex. They can also move to any of the North East cities as there are more North-Easterners in their roaster. Delhi and Goa will not have many people cheering for them.
I-League is having good attendance & its beyond AIFF's control to bring it down.. So 2pm matches at Kerala & 8pm matches at Shillong may bring it down a bit. Arrows is something that's totally in their hands. So they have chosen Goa & Delhi to keep the attendance low. Won't be surprised if they also play few 'home' games at Pune.
Actually Delhi can have good attendance for Indian Arrows. Not because of them but due to visiting teams. NEROCA, Lajong, Aizawl can attract good crowd in Delhi due to their public/student/workers crowd in Delhi. They need to get Ambedkar Stadium. Mumbai Cooperage Stadium would have been nice also but they dont want any competition with ISL in those places. This is the main issue.
Abdoulaye Koffi will miss this fixture due to injury.
Plaza who accompanied his coach admitted that he is not happy with his performance. "I don't believe that everyone is not with me. I am putting a lot of effort into practice. I am also worried about me missing chances. I am not being able to do my job. However, I will still try and score against Lajong."
Comments
The club had many chances from 2011 to 2014 to win the I-League and the same holds true for 2016 and 2017. But, almost invariably, a good first half of the season was followed by a slump in the second, which has seen them fall at the final hurdle, repeatedly.
Markedly common to almost all of EB’s nearly seasons in the league over the last decade has been the club management’s hire and fire policy, hoping in vain, to stumble upon the winning formula. They have kept up the trend in the last two seasons, first inexplicably going back to Trevor Morgan, who had failed to deliver in his first stint and now, buying in wholesale numbers from the reigning champions,
It has become clear that the club’s management has paid little heed to addressing the team’s deeper problems or assembling a balanced, well-rounded squad and instead have naively opted for maverick spending in their quest for the elusive title. With that being so, one has to ask the question as to how much of the Red and Gold’s persistent failings in the league are an accident and how much a consequence of their unplanned and haphazard style of functioning.
Be that as it may, with the merger of the I-League and ISL likely happening next season, if East Bengal fail to win the league in its last edition, the club’s supporters and fans will have to carry the burden of not winning the title on their shoulders till they breathe their last.
For the players, it could be argued; it matters less, as they are professionals and will move on to other clubs sooner or later. But, the biggest losers in East Bengal’ unheralded recent history, are the cub’s fans, who have undoubtedly been the most oppressed in Indian football.
Kolkata derby is still the biggest and the most fascinating game in Indian football
Relevance of the Kolkata derby
The sport in the country is at a curious crossroads and with a prolonged merged league likely to feature the derby well into the 21st century, it is this culture that the authorities must strive to emulate or foster.
Bengal football is hardly perfect, far from it. Progress has been hard to come by, with the management of the three Kolkata clubs failing to capitalise on the power of the fanatical fanbases. The state may not have made rapid strides in terms of producing talent in the last few decades, but the passion here is for all to see. There is no replacement for organic, shout-your-lungs-out zealousness. You either have it or watch it develop slowly.
It is this fervor that casts the dice for a culture of banter, expectation and footballing quality to set in, irrespective of whether those goals are met.
https://m.timesofindia.com/sports/football/i-league/no-i-league-games-in-goa-during-christmas-week-due-to-high-costs/amp_articleshow/61974550.cms?__twitter_impression=true
Won't be surprised if they also play few 'home' games at Pune.
Mumbai Cooperage Stadium would have been nice also but they dont want any competition with ISL in those places. This is the main issue.
Abdoulaye Koffi will miss this fixture due to injury.
Plaza who accompanied his coach admitted that he is not happy with his performance. "I don't believe that everyone is not with me. I am putting a lot of effort into practice. I am also worried about me missing chances. I am not being able to do my job. However, I will still try and score against Lajong."