ISL Season 8: Jamshedpur FC this season has been in pristine form and under the tutelage of head coach Owen Coyle, the Men of Steel are looking to get the first taste of the playoffs. This season has been different in many ways, starting from integrating sensational foreigners to grooming highly talented Indian youngsters. The Men of Steel have had several protagonists this season in their success and one such player who has grown immensely under Coyle has to be Borish Singh Thangjam. Follow all the ISL 2021-22 LIVE Updates only on InsideSport.IN
Transition from last season
The young winger joined Jamshedpur FC last year during the January transfer window. He jumped ship from ATK Mohun Bagan where he was mostly not getting much gametime. Boris had a slow start as he featured in a handful of games last season. But the tables turned this time as the youngster became a regular starter for the Men of Steel.
“Every player wants to play and try to get as many matches as they can. I joined Jamshed[ur FC last year and this season I am finally getting opportunities. So I am thankful to the coaches and the team management. Everyone here are really nice and welcoming,” Boris thanked in an exclusive interview with InsideSport.IN
ALWAYS READY TO GO THE DISTANCE! ⚡🤩
Our Super Sonic Boris covers quite a large part of the pitch everytime he steps on the grass in 🔴🔵 colors. 💥 #JamKeKhelo pic.twitter.com/2ivKUoRIFG
— Jamshedpur FC (@JamshedpurFC) February 1, 2022
Thoughts on Owen Coyle
The former Indian Arrows versatile winger had only good things to say about Owen Coyle. But he pointed out how different coaches in his career have had different philosophies. He credits the Scottish tactician for his overall growth and development in the last year or so.
“Every coach has a different philosophy so there is nothing right or wrong in here. I have learned a lot from my previous coaches. everything I had to learn I learnt under their guidance. I am continuing the learning under Owen Coyle. I am getting to learn new things every day and it is helping me develop as a player. I want to see myself as a better player so, it has been an honour to play under Owen Coyle,” Boris highlighted.
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New players taking Jamshedpur to the ISL Playoffs
The ISL playoffs have been a major jinx for the Men of Steel over the years. They have never featured in the last four of the tournament. They came really close last season as Coyle’s men finished fifth in the points table. But things are different now as Jamshedpur FC are currently second in the points table and are in a strong position to create history. Speaking on this change from last season, Boris feels that the introduction of new players was the only missing piece of the puzzle for the team.
“We were almost on the cusp of reaching the playoffs but we missed it by a whisker last season. So coach Coyle has made a lot of changes this season, he has brought in new players and we feel that we have got the missing piece of the jigsaw puzzle this time. We have performed really well this season and we are hopeful that we will reach the playoffs.”
Transformation from last season
Speaking on the difference from the last season to this one, Boris highlighted a very important aspect. He shared how a six-week long pre-season allowed the team to gel properly and also gave Owen Coyle the chance to know more about his team and later he could implement those ideas which have worked like a charm. “I think a lot of credit goes to our pre-season. There we got full six weeks to work on ourselves. Coming to the season we have worked to the plan of our coach and till now it has gone really well. I think our hard work is also paying off and hence we are doing well till now,” he added.
Adapting to a new role
Starting from his U-17 India days, Boris has mostly featured in a fullback role. Even during his time at the Indian Arrows he mostly featured as a fullback. Similarly with ATK Mohun Bagan though he did not get much gametime he was always identified as a fullback. People knew that he could also slot in as a winger. But it was Owen Coyle who implemented that plan and made him an all out right winger. Since then the 22-year-old has been on fire.
“I did not make any changes to my gameplay because a fullback is a defensive-minded player whereas winge is more attack-minded so I find it a lot similar. I have featured as a winger aswell during my time with the Indian Arrows so I have that idea of how things will be. My coach wants me to play as a winger because I have the pace and I think my crossing is also alright. I am very happy as I wanted to play as a winger and I want to continue doing well for Jamshedpur in the coming years,” the former Indian Arrows man said on his transition from fullback to a winger.
Learnings from senior players
Jamshedpur FC have brought in real impact players this season starting with Greg Stewart, Eli Sabia, Jordan Murray and later Daniel Chima. Among Indians aswell they have got hold of experienced players like Pranoy Halder and Anas Edathodika. Boris highlighted the importance of sharing the dressing room with such big names. He also elaborated on how the likes of T Rehenesh and other senior players helped him with little tips to improve his game.
“I really feel nice to be in the same team with such big names. I think it is a big thing that I get to share the dressing room with them. Starting from Greg Stewart, Peter (Hartley), Alex (Lima), Jordan (Murray), Eli (Sabia) and newly joined Daniel (Chima) all helped me a lot. Then among Indian players like Anas bhai, TP bhai, Pranoy da help me a lot. They teach me how to stay composed in the final third. TP (Rehenesh) tells me to look at the positioning and the footwork of the goalkeeper before taking my shot. I am really very happy as I am getting to learn a lot and I think I am Improving,” Boris revealed.
Challenges of living in a bio bubble
The ISL for the last two seasons have taken place in a bubble and like others, it has taken a toll on Boris aswell. The young winger reveals how people need to be mentally strong to overcome this challenge of living in an enclosed area.
“It is very tough to live in a bio bubble. It looks easy from the outside but you need to be mentally very strong to stay in a bubble. We are mostly enclosed within four walls and we cannot go out and meet people. We try to motivate each other in the team and even our support staff and head coach also motivate us to keep going so that it does not affect our performances on the field,” the Manipuri youngster reveals the challenges.
Rise of the 2017 India U-17 World Cup batch
It has been a season for the youngsters in the ISL. The players from the 2017 U-17 World Cup batch have really stepped up their game for respective teams. Starting with Boris, Jeakson (Singh), Suresh (Wangjam) to custodian Prabsukhan Gill, all of them have made a great impact on their team’s success. Therefore speaking on this matter the 22-year-old feels that it is a good sign for Indian football as he believes in this batch to be India’s future in the sport. “I am really very happy that most of us are doing well this season. I think we are the future of Indian football. When a particular batch does well it is a very good sign for the country and I believe that these players can take India to the next level.”
Assurance to the Red Miners
Lastly, the talented winger shared his disappointment of not getting to witness the atmosphere at the Furnace. But he assured the fans that Owen Coyle’s men will give everything to win the trophy for the Red Miners.
“I have seen how Jamshedpur FC fans are crazy for football. I have not yet witnessed that unfortunately because of COVID but we are always looking to make you guys proud. we will try our best to win the trophy for you guys,” he signed off.
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