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A new coach, a new set of players and a new season. But the story remains same for ATK. The two-time champions are languishing at the bottom of the table and are the only second team who have failed to register a point this season. The other team is Chennaiyin FC, who won the title in the previous two seasons, are also having the same fate as ATK.
The Kolkata club failed to keep their reputation when they finished ninth in the previous season. One of the main reason behind it was the coaching conundrum.
ATK appointed British coach and Manchester United legend Teddy Sheringham as their head coach at the start of the season. Sheringham had a fallout with the management and decided to quit. Assistant coach Ashley Westwood took over the rein. He too had to be let go after failing to produce results. Finally, marquee player Robbie Keane played the role of coach-cum-manager as ATK finished a disastrous campaign.
This year, the ATK team management started from scratch. They have appointed experienced British coach Steve Coppell and injected new blood in the team such as Manuel Lanzarote, Andre Bikey, Kalu Uche, John Johnson. But the results didn’t go as expected after the first two matches.
Though there are a lot of matches to go and ATK have a good chance to revive their season, one should be cautious as the old proverb goes, ‘morning shows the day.’
Let us look at the three big guns of ATK and how they fared after the two matches:
#3 Kalu Uche
Nigerian Kalu Uche had a dream debut in ISL last season with Delhi Dynamos. Being made the captain, Uche scored 13 times in 15 matches. His goal-scoring ability caught the eye of various teams' management and finally, ATK procured the talented striker.
Surprisingly, Uche has failed to show the glimpses of his talent so far. The sole reason for this is ATK coach Coppell and his strategy. He decided to field Manuel Lanzarote as the lone striker in both the matches and benched Uche. Though Uche came on as a substitute in both matches, he has little time to make an impact.
Uche is a potent striker and has the ability to change the course of the match within a few moments. Benching him would only invite trouble. So we can expect Coppell will change his mind and Uche would be seen against Delhi Dynamos on October 17 right from the start.
#2 John Johnson
John Johnson was at the heart of Bengaluru FC’s defence till last season. The British defender formed a formidable partnership along with Juanan. Bengaluru’s success owes to him very much.
However, after five impeccable seasons with Bengaluru, Johnson decided to change his colours and joined ATK. Though after two matches, Johnson has found an able ally in Gerson Viera, their understanding hasn’t reached that level.
After an average season-opening match against Kerala Blasters, Johnson produced an impressive display in the next match against NorthEast United FC. He denied Bartholomew Ogbeche, what was a clear goal and blocked two serious challenges. Not only that, he headed two corners, one of them just wide off the post. Once Ander Bikey comes, it would be a lot easier for Johnson to do his task.
Johnson has already proved that he has only changed loyalty, not his form or commitment.
#3 Manuel Lanzarote
Last year, ATK suffered massively without a potential striker. When Robbie Keane was appointed the coach, it was hard to find a player who could score a goal as Robin Singh usually failed to shine.
In order to bolster their attack, ATK romped in Spanish striker Manuel Lanzarote from FC Goa, breaking his partnership with Ferran Corominas. Lanzarote was in tremendous form last season. He scored 13 times and provided 6 assists. What caught the eye was his understanding with Corominas in the upfront.
After two matches this season, while his former partner Corominas has three goals after his name, Lanzarote failed to open his account. Usually a midfielder, Lanzarote loves to create an opportunity but he is being denied in doing so. Coppell is playing him as a lone striker and he hardly gets any balls from his teammates. Against NorthEast United, we’ve seen him creating chances on his own and he even earned a free-kick just outside the box, which could’ve been a goal.
It would better for Coppell to use Lanzarote in his natural position and deploy Kalu Uche as a striker.
