We have come upon another season of football after the officials of the club have done their bit. We cannot say that they have covered themselves with glory we have had a couple of Federation Cups, a Super Cup, defeating Dempo Sports Club 4-0. But during this period of uninterrupted rule by the present bunch of officials, plenty has happened which shames the average supporter and member alike. Latest – Bagan went down against the bottom-most club of the Kolkata League – Police AC by 0-1.

When one starts using the Club to further his own interest, that of the Club is naturally compromised. When one starts to use the Club to get himself elected to the BCCI, how much does anyone think he cares about the Club? How is the seat in the BCCI going to help our Club, or for that matter how much has a seat in the much vaunted FIFA panel helped us? The coterie that runs the Club is almost a back scratchers association. You scratch mine, I’ll scratch yours. But if the officials had used their brains in selecting the right team – Bagan could have been in the top of the iLeague and Kolkata  League and could have bagged the Federation Cup.

But No. For the past couple of years the officials make a team out of an injured bunch of players. Why are the players not subject to proper medical examinations before they are signed on? Yes, the officials make the team! Why should they consult the coach? He is only an employee, much like the servants we have at home. He need not be consulted about what team he wants. It is the officials’ prerogative to decide what team the Club would have. It is no matter that they never played football at any level. Such things are considered unimportant when selecting players for the team.

However ridiculous it may sound, we have a technical committee to oversee the work of the coach, but when it comes to the officials, they never appoint anyone to oversee whatever is going on. We do not yet have a proper multi – gymnasium, we use the CAB facilities for our footballers one was donated by a group of supporters and members; no one knows how it is used. We do not have a washing machine yet, we use a grounds man to wash all the jerseys everyday. The uncongenial atmosphere of the Club exposes itself whenever a group of supporters protest against any wrong. A similar incident happened on 11th December after Bagan went down 0-1 against Police AC. An official was heard saying that "those who are agitating are not members of Mohun Bagan AC – they are outsiders!"

Sir – we have less than 10 thousand members of Mohun Bagan but there are millions of mohun Bagan supporters across the globe! These supporters are hounded out by a bunch of sycophants who go around celebrating birthdays, showing themselves off in front of the media and generally making a nuisance of themselves -only thing they ever do is fanning the officials.

In the selection of Subrata Bhattacharya, the prodigal son, and Prashanta Banerjee the FIFA licensed coach, they hit a single bird with two stones. First, they fulfilled the licensed coach condition of the AFC and AIFF, and second, more importantly for them, they overcame the negative media that they had been having because of the English import. Finally and most importantly, they crippled the opposition by taking away one its leaders. Subrata Bhattacharya along with Prashun Banerjee and a few others had raised the sceptre of revolt against the present bunch of officials. They had a rather unpleasant time last time. This was the ideal opportunity to put an end to it once and for all.

But – may we ask on what ground did the duo fighting to field a proper XI member team ? The season is half gone – and they are yet to form a playing XI.  But the system of reward in our Club leads to a prediction that Subrata – Prashanta team has until the end of this year to turn this hospital full of players around. Otherwise, they may be shown the door any day after the election is over. They will not be required until the next elections are due. In the last six years, we had more coaches than years. This is ridiculous for a Club that purports to be a premier Club, nay Institution of the country.

We are rightly proud of our heritage but it is mainly because we are ashamed of our present. Our members need to wake up as it is too late.

Its Sangram Mukherjee 0-0 Mohammedan Sporting. It could have been something else – say 5-1 for Mohammedan Sporting – could have been 6-1 or could have been 1-0 for Mohun Bagan had referee given the clean penalty for Odafa.

Whatever could have been the score line – one thing is clear – Mohammedan was better of the two sides – with 80% ball possession. Earlier Dempo and Prayag "played" with Bagan – Mohammedan is the third team in line.

Reason ? A half line that didnot exist and an attacing third out numbered.

Odafa had to work hard getting the ball from defense and trying to score on his own – but was outnumbered each time he tried to do so. If a team has a central defensive midfield in Zeleny, two wingers in Ruidas (U-19 quota) and Gouranga – and is playing against a team whose coach was coached India and iLeague clubs- one can very well understand the kind of supply line Odafa had.

Not much to talk about- Bagan was lucky to get a point from this game.

Line Up: Sangram Mukherjee, Surkumar Singh, Kingshuk Debnath, Anwar Ali, R. Dhanarajan, Gouranga Dutta (Dipendu Dowary, 82′), Daniel Zeleny (Rakesh Masih, 45′), Manish Maithani (Souvik Chakraborty, 73′), Abhinas Ruidas, Jose Ramirez Barreto and Odafa Okolie.

Mohun Bagan and Lajong match ended in 0-0. Both team got some chances to score but the goalies did well. Lajong was better of the two in the midfield – particularly Menyonger – Menyonger was awarded the man of the match today

It was good performance from Mohun Bagan because whipping Lajong in their own den is not a very easy task, though they are not in the good position in the League table.

But the poor condition of ground made the match tough for the mariners where they started with single striker Odafa Okolie. Ashim Biswas and Jose Barreto was in the midfield. In the first half Odafa’s shot hit the post and one side volley of Barreto brilliantly saved by Lajong goalkeeper.

In the second half Lajong started to attack more than the first half and they also got some good chances but again post and Sangram saved Mohun Bagan. Mohun Bagan made few mistakes  after the lemon break and Lajong got back to the match. Coach Prasanta Banerjee also told in the press meet. He also added that the team should have won the match but the players unluckily couldn’t score. But Bagan coach is happy with the performance of his team. Even mariners loose two points but they earned one point in an away encouner against team like Lajong at their ground Khuman Lampak Stadium at Imphal.

Mohun Bagan is now with 16 points from 8 matches so far. In I League they will next play against HAL at Bangalore on 14th December. Before that Bagan will resume their KPL campaign. Bagan will meet EMTA Mohammedan Sporting on Thursday, 8th December at Yuba Bharati Krirangan in a Sahara CFL match.

Team: Sangram, Surkumar, Kingshuk, Sourav, Dhanrajan, Gouranga, Murli (Souvick), Snehasis, Barreto, Ashim (Jagtar), Odafa.

Yellow Card: Murli.