The newly appointed Technical Director and coach of McDowell Mohun Bagan met the press today after the team practice at the club tent. There was a morning practice session at Mohun Bagan Ground and Subrata Bhattacharya and Prasanta Banerjee started their combination to train McDowell Mohun Bagan. Manager Bernard and goalkeepers’ coach Hemanta Dora also were present. All the players including Barreto and Odafa attended the practice. Bagan veteran and Dronacharya Syed Naeemuddin was there in the Mohun Bagan ground today. He wished success to the TD and the team. If the practice session is an indication, Simon Storey’s place in the playing XI could be doubtful henceforth. Here is the synopsis of the press meet.

Regarding fitness Subrata Bhattacharya (Bablu) said that there is no team in India having top fitness. The Indian National team conceded 13 goals in 3 matches, so how can anybody say that only Mohun Bagan has fitness problems. He said the same thing regarding the defence, too. Replying to a question from a journalist, Subrata said that one should specify the problem of the defence before criticising it. In reply to a question regarding Jonathan Corner, Subrata said that it is an internal matter and regarding fitness they will all work together.

Subrata also said that their primary goal is winning the I-League; time is very short. But everybody has to try together; he assured all concerned that success will come definitely. He also said that there is not a big difference between the teams in India, so there is no reason to be unsuccessful. He gave examples of other clubs who have won the Fed Cup but failed in other tournaments.

Subrata added that Barreto, Odafa, Chhetri are always the headache of opponents, so Mohun Bagan have too much power to be successful.

Coach Prasanta Banerjee also joined the practice and he too was in the press meet. He said that as a technical committee member he had noted the details of the team’s situation regarding injury etc. and has now passed on all information to the technical director.

Subrata said about Prasanta that he is very good coach and he has good technical knowlege as he was a very good footballer as well; he has completed AFC and FIFA’s  coaching courses. Prasanta has a lot of achievements, so it will be very good for team Mohun Bagan that he has been appointed as coach. Bablu also said that he will assign different jobs for Prasanta for the benefit of the team.

Barreto congratulated the new  TD and coach and said that they will work together and bring success to the team.  Subrata said that confindence of the team has to be boosted up.

Moreover, both the Technical Director and the Coach have a primary goal to be succesful in the I-League, which is the hope and aspiration of all Mohun Bagan supporters, players and officials.

McDowell Mohun Bagan will start their I-League campaign on Sunday, 23rd October against Pailan Arrows at Yuba Bharato Krirangan.

 Picture Courtesy : AAJKAAL

Subrata Bhattacharya is the new TD, while Prashanta Banerjee is the new coach of Mohun Bagan. This official announcement has been made from the club via email. After that Subrata Bhattacharya has given his comments on his comeback to the home club as Technical Director.

Subrata Bhattacharya expressed that he is very much absorbed with Mohun Bagan and he has no problem to work with the newly appointed coach Prasanta Banerjee. He also told that team spirit has to be build along with unity. Regarding practice session, he told that from the next day he will join the practice session with the footballers. Subrata also told that since there is no success of the team that is why so much talking is there about fitness. He also ensures the supporters and members for a better result.

Anjan Mitra told to the press that only good result can change the present situation and end of the season it will count.

Meanwhile, Barreto again was injured today during practice and could be uncertain in the first match of i League on 23rd October at Yuba Bharati Krirangan against Pailan Arrows.

Stephen Darby needs at least three practice matches before i-League. Mohun Bagan players did not get any leave for the Durgapuja. They are having their practice session at the Salt Lake Stadium every day morning. Darby is serious about his team but he is very eager to play some competitive matches. He informed that also to the officials. But the official did not find any formidable opponent. Due to Durand Cup maximum teams have participated in the tournament.

Meanwhile Odafa Okolie and Sunil Chhetri have joined practice after recovery from injury.  Coach Darby was very eager to participate in the Durand Cup but due to the policy of the club, it has become impossible to participate in the tournament. Steve Darby is trying to boost the confidence of the players too. After poor performance in the Fed Cup, it is very much needed to the players. He told that there are lot of very good players in the team but they lost their confidence very soon. He has to work hard on that to get back their confidence.