Players fit, good problem in selecting team: Manolo Marquez

Panaji: Sometimes out of compulsion but largely due to choice,

Manolo Marquez

prefers to rejig his starting lineups.
For FC Goa’s second, third, fourth and fifth games in this season’s Indian Super League (ISL), the experienced Spanish coach made three changes each to his starting lineup, then made two more for the next one, before reverting to type with three new players. For the last match – a 2-1 win against Punjab FC at home – the coach was forced into a change as

Carl McHugh

had a niggle that kept him out of the game.
McHugh now returns to the squad for the away clash against Kerala Blasters on Thursday. Given his form and the solidity that he provides in midfield, the Irish midfielder should be an automatic starter, which means Manolo’s record of not repeating the starting lineup will continue.
“You need all the players (in a season), particularly at the start of the competition,” Manolo told TOI when asked about the thought process behind not repeating the lineup this season. “In some moments, you will need players who have not been playing, and if you don’t take care of them, it's very difficult. It's not easy to survive as a coach, as a group, as a team, unless you make the players feel that they are useful (to the team’s cause).”

The competitiveness within the squad for places also helps the team stay healthy, said Manolo, providing the example of defender Jay Gupta, seated next to him for the pre-match media interaction on Tuesday.
“Competition (for places) is very good for the players. For example, Jay always started (last season), he was with the national team too, but I think (with this season’s experiences), he will finally grow. We have a clearer example in the team. Look at Ayush (Chhetri). In the previous season (under Carlos Pena), he used to play a lot of games, but last season we signed Rowllin (Borges), Carl and Raynier (Fernandes). It was very difficult for him. He is a hardworking player, now he’s playing, and I think he will be a very important player for FC Goa,” said Manolo.

Goa have travelled to Kochi with most of their important players like Carl McHugh, Borja Herrera, Udanta Singh and Aakash Sangwan all recovering from injuries. Manolo is understandably happy, even though he admits it’s a problem.
“Now I have real problems with (selecting) the lineup,” said Manolo. “It’s a very good problem, a problem that every coach wants, even if it makes some players angry (if he’s not playing). After Covid-19 (pandemic), there are five substitutions which means, if the goalkeeper is not counted, you have almost half the team on the bench. A lot of players prefer to play 90 minutes but those on the bench decide a lot of games.”
Goa travel to Kochi knowing they have lost during their last two visits. However, the former ISL Shield winners have a rich history of success against Blasters, having won 11 games in this matchup – the third highest in ISL history, after the 15 wins against Chennaiyin FC and 12 against Mumbai City.