NorthEast United, for the most part, have been erratic in both the seasons of the Indian Super League. Last year, after comfortably losing their first three games, the side made a rousing comeback to find a footing in the top four, only to stumble at the business end.
Compared to the previous season, there is a sneaky feeling that the side has gone backwards. It could be because of the failure of the management to bring in an eye-catching name in their ranks. Some wise heads in the game would say that star signings don't necessarily guarantee success: FC Pune City's campaign last year is a case in point. United have always been a side who have banked on the fleet-footed young stars from the part of the country they represent. The success ratio though has been far from satisfactory.
Though unheralded, the side have managed to bring in names who have the potential to make it big in the league. The talk around the team has been the the talent they let go without a fight, which could potentially turn to haunt them in this year's campaign.
Where the side does deserve credit is snapping up Portuguese coach Nelo Vingada, a journeyman and a winner armed with vast amounts of top-level experience.
Bizarre transfer policy
Last year, after a miserable start, which saw United slump to the bottom of the table after three games, the side bounced back through a nucleus they settled with midway through the campaign. It was the imports who played a major hand.
Andre Bikey changed the look of the midfield through his power and vision. Striker Nicolas Velez terrorised defenders, and Diomansy Kamara chipped in with crucial goals. Bruno Alias and Silas made useful contributions from midfield.
Apart from Velez, the Highlanders failed to hold on to all the other names. Bikey, now with FC Pune City, speaking to Scroll.in, stated that he found it rather strange that his contract wasn't renewed despite putting in eye-catching shifts. He said, "I had a very good first season at NorthEast [United], and was disappointed that I didn't get a call from the management for this season".
Even among the Indian contingent, the side let go of the experienced Sanju Pradhan and Yumnam Raju. United will be one of the few teams to have have two first-rate Indian players vying for the same spot; the side roped in goalkeeper Subrata Pal despite TP Rehenesh's excellent displays last season.
Coach, formation and tactics
Vingada's career spans nearly three decades. His partnership with former Manchester United assistant manager Carlos Queiroz was a big hit in the late 1980s and the early 1990s, as the Luis Figo-led Portugal side were sweeping all the youth tournaments.
Where United have fallen short is leaving too much space between the midfield and defensive lines for counter-attacking teams. In the first two seasons, the side has maintained a possession based ethos, and bank on pacy runners on the flanks to create chances.
With Vingada at the helm, the side could sharpen their defensive side. The target should be to concede less than 20 goals in the group stages. Velez is a sure-shot starter although the Argentinian has showed that he is a far more deadly presence up front when he has come on from the bench. The challenge for Vingada is to chose the right forwards from the number of options at his disposal.
The entry of Ivorians Didier Zokora and Romaric along with Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa gives Vingada further flexibility in midfield.
The season ahead
There are two sides to going into a season with a large pool of new players: The players can either go guns blazing or cut a cropper, much like Mumbai City FC last season. A host of new names are a part of United's campaign this season. For many of the foreign players, this is their first taste of Indian football.
Yet again, United have a group talented group of next-gen Indians. Sumeet Passi, Salam Ranjan Singh, Shouvik Ghosh, and Lallianzuala Chhangte have had impressive starts to their careers so far. The side may yet again fail to hit the ground running, given the sheer size of the task that Vingada has for the upcoming season.