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ISL superstars from the league's most loved team Mumbai City FC - Gabriel Fernandes, Fred Piquionne, Sunil Chhetri and Subrata Pal caught up with Ashley Westwood at an event organized by Global sportswear brand PUMA in Mumbai today.
In a very special interaction, fans witnessed an exhilarating conversation with the players on football, the ISL, their style quotient at the PUMA Store at Linking Road, Mumbai. Adding further to the excitement, Mumbai City FC fans got an exclusive opportunity to meet and interact with the players.
We sat down with Bengaluru FC Coach, Ashley Westwood for a one on one. Here are the excerpts.
What do think about teams in the ISL tweaking their starting eleven for every second game?
Normally if you’ve got a 30-40 game season and the games are spaced out a little bit then you can usually keep a settled side. In the ISL, teams are playing 14 games in 61 days and if you’re going to go all the way, that’s seventeen games and 72-73 days. That becomes a little too much so if you don’t rotate or rest when it’s the right time then inevitably you will probably pick up a few injuries so you have to be careful with your squad. Like a crystal ball, you never know. As a coach, you try and manage things in the best way you can.
Does it affect team chemistry?
I don’t think the chemistry is really affected. If you look at football teams in general, if you want win a season, no matter how long or short the season is, teams generally use 20-22 players and you have to keep everyone fit at the same level. It’s just a question of strategies and techniques really.
What do think about Goa’s Leo Moura? He has really stood out this season as a playmaker. Is he the focal point in the team?
He’s a good player and has good awareness. He knows how to get on the ball and has class to help him. If he needs a touch to take the ball to one side and get more time on the ball, he is capable of doing that. His awareness really gives him that extra little bit of time. I don’t really think he is the focal point.
It depends, if Joffre plays, he likes to play in the hole too. If Joffre doesn’t play then they try and put Leo Moura a bit forward in the hole. But we’ve seen Moura play on the right hand side as well. So wherever he is, he goes looking to get on the ball.
You’ve talked about the importance of maintaining your diet as a player. Can you talk to us about that? Are players allowed cheat days?
It’s just balance really. You need protein which is really important for muscle repair and muscle growth. Obviously you also need to have fluids, your regular vitamins and minerals that you get from your vegetables. It’s a complex diet. There is a lot of research out there which helps us adopt the right methods.
It’s important to stay away from bad fats and stick to the complex carbohydrates, not any sugar based ones. Just eat the right amount and get the right fluids in. Certainly when you play a lot of games (like in the ISL), you need to recover quickly and 80% of your recovery is based on nutrition.
I mean yes players are allowed cheat days. No one can remain like a raging solider for 100% of the time. You do need to relax your mind sometimes and let your guard down. I always tell the players to follow the 80-20 rule, 80% maintain a good diet and 20% of a little treat every now and then, if you’re working hard on the field.
Whether its dessert, pizza whatever, it normally doesn’t make too much of a difference as long as you do it on the right time. You don’t want to be eating pizza 2-3 hours before kickoff or a night before the match.
We see a lot of players in the ISL switching positions during the match. Is that a strategy? For example Piquionne, Chhetri and Sony Norde keep moving all around the final third
I think when you have attacking players who want to influence the game; they go in search for the ball. Some coaches like to give freedom and play the way you want. But sometimes you see teams where 2-3 players always want to play in the same position.
Different coaches have different styles and methods which always makes for an interesting game. Some teams are really robust and disciplined in their formations while some coaches like to have freedom and supply the team with interchanging and fluency. It really depends on the coaches really.
What do you reckon about Jose Mourinho who is currently going through a rough time at Chelsea? Do you think he can revive his team’s fortunes?
It’s all about sticking to your principles and relying on hard work which sees you through. Regardless of what bad patch you are in, as long as you are doing everything you can, you can look yourself in the mirror and say, I couldn’t have done any more.
Sometimes that’s the way it is and luck also plays a part. What you don’t want as a coach or even a player is any regrets – I should have done this or that. As long as you can relieve yourself in that perspective you know you’ve done your utmost. I’m sure he can revive the team again if he is given time. He’s not turned into a bad coach overnight.
Only 3-4 months ago, we were talking about him as the best manager in the world. I’m sure he’ll come through this. Whether he is allowed to, whether the fans allow him to. Who knows? You have to also question who else is available. It’s a tough job and you definitely don’t turn into a bad coach overnight, that’s for sure.
Who do you look up to as a coach for inspiration?
I always stick to what I know which is Alex Ferguson. I have worked under him and have taken advice from him when I have worked as a coach. He is the one that’s been stable, loyal, and reliable. If you’re talking about role models, you’ll do well to find someone better than him.
Most of the advice I got from him was when I was playing under him as a player. The principles that he lays down - the will to win, the desire, the hard work, professionalism, his leadership skills, the respect that he gives players, the respect that players give him. Just follow his principles and you’re not going to be too far away.
