It was a season to forget for two-time runners-up Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) in the Indian Super League (ISL)
Kerala forward Dimitar Berbatov
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It was a season to forget for two-time runners-up Kerala Blasters FC (KBFC) in the Indian Super League (ISL). Having former Manchester United stars — Dimitar Berbatov and Wes Brown — and coach Rene Meulensteen, who was sacked mid way, fans expected an entertaining brand of football.
What followed for KBFC, who finished ISL-4 in sixth place, were a string of ordinary performances that included two wins and five draws at home. However, besides having to bear the brunt of seven draws, the most by any side this season, the real reason stemmed from the side's poor pre-season in Marbella, Spain last September. "Pre-season training is most important. It's like diesel for our engines and we didn't get enough of it," a member of KBFC, on the condition of anonymity, told mid-day yesterday.
Another senior player added: "I've been playing professional football for the last eight years and the way we practised in Spain was amateurish." According to the players, coach Meulensteen wasn't supportive. "He underestimated the Indian players in Spain, but when we played our first match, he realised that we have quality. He never used to motivate players who were injured, but after David James entered, you could see the difference," said the player.
What was surprising to notice is that even star players like Berbatov did not help KBFC's cause. The Bulgarian, who launched a scathing attack at coach James on Sunday en route his departure from the club, was never a "team player". "Coach Meulensteen was Berbatov's fan and Berbatov too was really not a team player. He would never attend our meetings, but after James came in, more than the atmosphere, the mentality changed."
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