ISL 2018-19: I don't have a problem with other people's opinions - David James on Kerala Blasters' fans calling out his tactics

Kerala Blasters return to action in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) when they host Jamshedpur FC at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Kochi on Tuesday. The hosts are under immense pressure to secure maximum points, especially in front of their home crowd, after failing to win since the inaugural game of the season against ATK back in September.

David James' men have embarked on a catastrophic run of form since the opening day of the season after having secured just eight points from a possible 24 during a turbulent period that has seen it's fair share of drama ranging from refereeing blunders to questionable tactics.

However, a run of three-straight defeats came to an end following their 0-0 draw away from home to defending champions Chennaiyin FC last Thursday as the Men in Yellow continue their search for the elusive win that can help them rekindle their aspirations of making it to the playoffs.

Despite being unable to make the best use of their chances at the Marina Arena last week, James insisted that he observed plenty of positives from the result and lauded his team for keeping their first clean sheet since the win over ATK.

"The game against Chennai, I think on many different levels, was very positive", James told reporters in a press conference.

"To get a clean sheet, only the second one of the season, defensively it was very good.

“Perhaps we could have created more chances, but I think if anything, it was the performance of two teams in a very nervy position, not really wanting to give anything up rather than actually trying to go and take it", he admitted.

The repercussions of Kerala Blasters' hapless start to the season have been sharp-edged, to say the least. 'Manjappada', the official fan group of the club, have openly criticized James for his tactical short-comings so far this term, while the usual hullabaloo of calling out players on the wake of a crisis escalated to a few notches after the CK Vineeth fiasco.

James opted against commenting on the statements that called out his tactics, but admitted that he has no problems whatsoever with opinions from fans, since they are entitled to do so about the club they ardently follow.

“With regards to the statement, I did not see it and so I cannot comment”, James continued.

“I understand the passion that the fans have and football fans are entitled to as much of an opinion as yourselves as the media.

"So I don’t have a problem with other people’s opinions."

I want to win every game and I want the fans to be entertained, claims David James

Another consequence of the Kerala Blasters' poor showing so far this season in the ISL is the alarming and uncharacteristic decline with respect to match attendance figures at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium.

The Blasters have always had the comfort of stepping out and playing in front of a raucous atmosphere generated by the supporters, who always made it a point to turn up in 'sold-out numbers'.

However, the recent attendance figures have understandably suffered due to the team's profligacy and James admitted that he can understand what the supporters are enduring at this point in time.

“When the fans are not enjoying what they are seeing, it makes sense", James told reporters during the pre-match press conference.

“I’m a football fan myself, a Kerala Blasters fan as you already know, it’s difficult sometimes to go and watch your team play when they are not doing what we want them to do."

James also stressed on the fact that the demands are now at an all-time high due to the development of the game in the region and reiterated on the fact that he wants to win every game by playing an attractive brand of football, amidst reports circulating on social media suggesting the fans are planning to boycott games sooner rather than later.

“I have to appreciate the fact that, and I say this with respect, the football fan of yesteryear is very different to the football fan of now", James told Sportskeeda during the pre-match press conference.

"It is mainly because of the development of football in India over the last five years.

“As head coach, I want to win every game of football and I want the fans to be entertained at the same time. You want a full house of people coming to watch Kerala Blasters play [at home].

“I talk to people back home about Kerala Blasters and how their fans are the best in India and I won’t change my opinion on that.

“The spirit towards football is so alive here that we have to give them something back. I’m confident that we will get there, but I’m a little bit unhappy with how the process has gone until now", he admitted.

We will be looking to change things during the transfer window: James

Despite adopting a huge overhaul in terms of recruitment policy under David James over the course of the summer, the Kerala Blasters have not benefited substantially from their new signings.

However, James conceded that he will be forced to ring in a few changes during the transfer window owing to injury concerns and the obvious need for a breath of fresh air in "some areas".

“We will be looking to change some areas and I can’t define ‘some’ to be whether one or five”, James revealed during the press conference.

“We have injuries which I think will force us into making changes. And if there is an opportunity to do some recruitment in the transfer window, then we will see.

“We also have young players out on loan and the plan is to try and consider them as well in the near future", he added.

James confirmed that Nikola Krcmarevic will be unavailable for the clash against Jamshedpur FC after being stretchered off during the last game against Chennaiyin FC, while both Slavisa Stojanovic and Courage Pekuson are back in training and in contention for a place in the starting eleven on Tuesday, following their return from minor injuries.