ISL 2017/18: Hermann Hreidarsson lauds Kerala Blasters youngsters Lalruathara, Prasanth and Deependra Negi

Kerala Blasters assistant coach Hermann Hreidarsson believes that his side can still come up with the points in their last few matches, to try and give a serious challenge to end in the top four spots on the ISL table.

“See, three games before, we were in a situation where we had to win six more matches to make it to the playoffs. Now, we have won two and drawn one, so I say we are in it still. I am happy with the progress we have made so far,” he said.

The Icelandic coach also added, “From the time I have come, it’s always has been about us and how we can get better. We have been focusing on our game rather than what the opponent has been doing.”

Kerala Blaster also has a balance of experienced and young Indian players and when asked what he felt about the youngsters in his side, he went on to praise the young guns like Lalruatthara, Prasanth and Deependra Singh Negi.

Speaking about Lalruatthara, the Icelandic coach said, “Ruathara's attitude is second to none. He has a fantastic attitude and he always wants to get better and improve. He is always learning, and that is evident as his game has improved.”

The 43-year-old also had a few words of encouragement about “Prasanth’s fitness levels are superb. We have a great team working on him off the pitch. He puts in a 50meter sprint in the 93rd minute. That's brilliant, even while going forward in attack he has the sense of tracking back and doing his defensive duties.”

Speaking about the overall quality of Indian players he said, “See with the attitude they show, nothing more can be asked of them. That’s what I want, and that’s what I love to work with, that attitude.”

Kerala will be missing the services of Lalruatthara who is out of tie due to suspension.