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Last year's runners-up, Kerala Blasters, drew most of the headlines ahead of ISL 2017 with the capture of some marquee names. Sadly for them, that has not translated onto the pitch with the team having a difficult start to the current campaign.
Three draws and just one win sees the Blasters sit in the bottom half of the table as they prepare for their next game against Chennaiyin FC on Friday.
Speaking to media ahead of the game, Blasters coach Rene Meulensteen admitted that it had been a difficult start, but was keen to point out that his team were in the process of evolving.
"First of all, I reassure the players that we are in an ongoing process as far as the team developing is concerned," said Meulensteen.
"If you look at our progress, putting FC Goa aside, we are getting positive going forward. We are creating chances and hopefully can continue to score goals," Meulensteen added.
The Blasters' troubles have laid in the attacking third of the pitch as they have found goals hard to come by - they have only scored four times in five games. Their defence, however, has fared quite well barring the thrashing against Goa.
"Absolutely," said Meulensteen when asked if that was a strength that gives them the confidence of going deep in the competition.
"We have stressed the importance of clean sheets. That earns you the right to play. The result in Goa was an 'incident' you could say. We looked strong defensively last week," he added.
Winless after four games, the Blasters managed to finally secure victory in their previous game when they beat NorthEast United 1-0 in Kochi. Meulensteen believes that result was a huge shot in the arm for the side.
"It was our first win of the season and it looks very positive."
Tomorrow, the Blasters will be up against Chennaiyin, a match-up that has always been a very passionate and fiercely contested affair owing to it being a southern derby. It's the first of two back-to-back derbies for the Blasters as they take on Bengaluru FC in Kochi on New Year's eve next. Meulensteen is relishing the challenge in fact.
"This is what you want to do - play in the big games", he said. "BFC and Chennaiyin are top of the table."
He went on to praise his opponents tomorrow, Chennaiyin, as well as the pitch at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Chennai.
"Chennaiyin are a very good team with a good manager. They have good players and have been playing well. But we have stumbled into the season really. However, the pitch looks good and hope we can put up a good performance
"Against Goa, they (Chennaiyin) came back very strongly in the second half. Their defence has consistency. They will make it very difficult for us. They are in the top of the table for a reason. They have good goalscoring attributes, both from open play and setpieces. We have prepared well. Hopefully, the win from last week will give us a boost."
Blasters remain without their star man Dimitar Berbatov who is still recovering from his injury. In addition, Meulensteen revealed that Pritam Kumar will also be unavailable tomorrow after an injury in training.
"Berbatov is out. Pritam dislocated his shoulder in training. Other than that, we are at full strength."
