Transfer Season - Will the Mariners get it right?

As Chennai is busy raising hands, the hands in Kolkata are itching heads!! Yes..It's all coz of Indian football's transfer season. Certainly not as cash laden as the starry European leagues, but in no way
less controversial, the hop, skip and jump act of the players in Indian football has begun!!

The Mariners will look to reinforce their squad for the forthcoming season, in their quest to regain the national title. The Goan dominance in Indian football's premier club competition puts us, the fans of the green and maroon brigade, who are used to folklores of legacy, in an uncomfortable position. What comes as solace though is the fact that East Bengal has also never won the I-League, but is that consolation enough? Definitely not.

With our expectations soaring, the club officials will have to be wise in signing new players, whilst keeping football and the monetary damages in mind. Another aspect that I would like officials to concentrate on is building a team for the future. When players are signed for astronomical figures, the objective should be to retain them for more than a season.

While Nirmal Chettri could prove to be the decisive signing, the Tolgay Ozbey fiasco with East Bengal is hogging all the interest. A popular question emerging from fan camps is whether the Tolgay-Odafa duo will be able to keep egos in check.

Season ending stats show that the team has scored 74 goals in 39 matches, averaging 1.9 goals/match - admirable, if not astonishing. The bummer was conceding at an average of 1.4. The defence is where the team needs a lot of new strength and inspiration.

As a fan, I've pledge my undying support to the Mariners and will eagerly look forward to the next season. By the time I sit to write my next blog, I hope the team and the officials will give me a reason to uphold them. All the best Mariners!!

Aneesh Nadkarni,
Ardent McDowell Mohun Bagan fan