'We want you,' Kerala Blasters captain to fans ahead of Mohammedan game

With resentment growing among Kerala Blasters fans in the wake of poor results and the recent sacking of the head coach, captain Adrian Luna has appealed to the Manjappada to continue supporting the team. “Whatever happened has happened.. we need them (fans) in the stands... I hope we have the support tomorrow,” Luna urged the supporters on the eve of the Blasters' home match against Mohammedan SC.

The Blasters have lost six of their last seven matches in the Indian Super League (ISL), leading to the exit of head coach Mikael Stahre. With just 11 points from 12 matches, the Blasters are reeling in the 10th position. However, they couldn't have asked for a better opponent considering the situation, as Mohammedan are bottom of the table with just one win in 11 matches. The Blasters defeated Mohammedan (2-1) in the away fixture on October 20.

“We are giving 100% every single match, sometime it goes our way, sometimes it doesn't. It is not about lack of effort or lack of commitment,” midfielder Luna said.

'Nothing revolutionary'
Keralite T G Purushothaman was made the interim head coach following the sacking of Stahre. The native of Thrissur said the focus was to keep things simple and get three points on Sunday. “We won't go for anything revolutionary; we will take all the positive things and convert it into three points,” Purushothaman said. “We don't want to think about what happened in the past. That is over. We want to win the match at any cost.”

Purushothaman, a goalkeeper in his playing days, was reminded of the Blasters' goalkeeping woes. First-choice goalkeeper Sachin Suresh has repeatedly made blunders leading to goals. The Blasters also have the worst defensive record in the league, having let in 24 goals.

“We can't point fingers at a particular player, be it the goalkeeper or the defence. No, no, no. It is teamwork, and we believe in it,” Purushothaman said. He added that though they beat Mohammedan earlier in the season, the Blasters don't want to take the opposition lightly. “We have already beaten them. But tomorrow is a different match. It is our home; we are Kerala Blasters. We're all together as a family,” he said.