FC Goa needs to come out of the closet it found itself inside after the sudden and unexplained departure of Sergio Lobera and the team appears close to doing so in Indian Super League (ISL) 10 with the signing of Manolo Marquez.
Manolo is definitely not the next best coach in ISL after Sergio but is one who has the promise of letting the youngsters at his disposal bloom. Goa’s Liston Colaco is proof. The differences between the two are vast and the similarities, striking.
Sergio lets experience play with youngsters and Manolo lets youngsters learn through experience and though there are similarities in their styles of play the common constant is the ability to finish with a win.
FC Goa starts ISL 10 with much more confidence than it has started the previous competitions because they have in Manolo a coach capable of getting the best out of his boys through his ability to read their minds and let their feet do the talking.
Sergio lets experience play with youngsters and Manolo lets youngsters learn through experience and though there are similarities in their styles of play the common constant is the ability to finish with a win
FC Goa has definitely lost big in Anwar Ali but with the new signings, the team has the capability to string different formations of play that are capable of silencing most critics and opponents. Deception could be the game plan that will stump the others and take them to the pedestal they have been aiming for.
Dheeraj Singh will find his place in goal unless Manolo has more faith in former Odisha FC keeper Arshdeep Singh. Whoever gets the nod, a lot will depend on how Carlos Martinex, Odei Onaindia, Sandesh Jhingam and Seriton Fernandes manage the defence.
Dheeraj Singh will find his place in goal unless Manolo has more faith in former Odisha FC keeper Arshdeep Singh
FC Goa has ten defenders on its string and apart from the top four, Narayan Das will want to celebrate his return to Goa with some anticipation and sporadic runs on the flanks that he showed during his days with Dempo Sports Club and later FC Goa.
Brandon Fernandes, depending on how he responds to the call of Manolo, will need to continue his role of a creator who left the fans in awe and always wanting more. The task will be tough for the former captain as his IQ is never static.
The FC Goa midfield is packed with seven good midfielders – Boris Thangjam, Brandon, Carl Mchugh, Noah Sadaoui, Paulo Petre, Rowllin Borges and Victor Romero – and the choice at hand will give Manolo the ability to dictate the style of play.
With a strong midfield, FC Goa could play 4-3-3; 4-1-4-1; 4-4-2 or even 4-4-1-1. The choice is wide or even extempore. Football is beautiful when it is fast, furious and unpredictable and the midfield assembled for this season has the capability of delivering what the fan in Goa is getting accustomed to.
With a strong midfield, FC Goa could play 4-3-3; 4-1-4-1; 4-4-2 or even 4-4-1-1. The choice is wide or even extempore
FC Goa has roped in Carlos Martinez as striker and has Udanta Singh and Goa’s Devendra Murgaokar to assist. Udanta, in his prime, was a player with the ability to silence Sunil Chhetri and that he did not is a reflection of football in the country.
Devendra alias Daku, showed signs of stardom when he partnered Liston Colaco in Salgaocar FC. Both have gone different parts but it does not mean the twain shall never meet again at least in terms of performance on the pitch.
FC Goa has earned well with the players they sold and spent well on the players they have purchased and as ISL 10 starts, the fans - this time - will not want to be counting money but the goals needed to win the title.
Sergio is there but Manolo could demonstrate that being is not everything, making is.