Ahead of Hyderabad FC’s clash against Jamshedpur FC, Manolo Marquez speaks about the recent results, the busy league schedule, and more…

On the result against Odisha FC…

If you look at recent results, it is evident that the games are more difficult to win in the second half of the season as most teams are fighting for a place in the top-4. Against Odisha we could have won the game in the first half and could have easily lost it in the second, so I think that was a fair result for both sides.

On the busy schedule…

We had enough time to recover for this game but if you see the last few minutes of every game you can see that most players are tired. It is not an excuse, but it is just difficult to play in these conditions.

We have just two to three days to work on the mistakes, have tactical sessions for the next game while also giving players, time to recover and this is not ideal. I know most people understand this situation. So, for us, tomorrow is just another game and we will plan for it, like every other game.

Working on his side’s finishing…

Of course, I think we should have won the game against Odisha in the first half but it is not always the lack of finishing. Good saves from the keeper, the ball hitting the post, all play their part. Scoring eight goals in two games is not a regular occurrence. These things happen but the most important thing is that we are creating chances.

On the youngsters and their consistency…

I am not surprised. I see them in training sessions every day and I know their quality. Many of the youngsters are playing in their first or second season in the ISL. The fact that they are getting chances is fantastic. For me, if you want the younger players to improve, they have to play and be willing to learn.

They are showing their quality in games and though they look tired at times, I am really proud of each one of them. It is really fantastic for Indian football that there are so many youngsters impressing every day in the league and I am proud that a few are working under me.

On Halicharan Narzary’s form…

He is a great person and a great player and it feels good to train him. At the moment, he is not too worried about having to defend and that allows him to get closer to the goal. But I don’t think I am the right person to be talking about this. He is an Indian international, in the prime of his career and it is no surprise that he is improving his numbers.

On the departure of Adil Khan…

He was an important player for the club last season and was also the real captain at Hyderabad FC in the few months we have been here. I think he is one of the most professional players I have trained in my life. It is tough when you play regularly for your country but don’t get chances at the club level but I was really happy with his attitude.

I understand that he needs more game time to be ready for the national side and it is times like these when you need to look at them as a person rather than as a player. I hope he gets his chances at Goa and goes to the national team, because he deserves to be there. It may be strange but my relationship with him is very good and was satisfied to train him.