One match, two battles: Kerala Blasters versus Odisha; Manjappada vs management

The Manjappada has decided to intensify protests against the Kerala Blasters management with a rally before the start of the home match against Odisha FC on January 13.

The fan group on Sunday appealed to club members to participate in the rally planned two hours before the 7.30 pm kick-off in the vicinity of the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor in Kochi.

Manjappada has been raising slogans against the club's Hyderabad-based management for nearly a month. "But the club has not responded; they are trying to divert attention. Our protests are not against the players or coaching staff, but against the management's policies," Manjappada announced in a video on the eve of the Odisha match. The diversion tactics hint at the Fan Advisory Board set up by the club in the first week of the New Year, which claims to facilitate fan interactions with the management.

One of the main demands of the Manjappada is to add quality players to the squad. The group, which has a significant social media presence, with more than eight lakh followers on Instagram, has regularly made posts reminding the club about the open winter transfer window that allows teams to sign fresh players.

"Building a squad or a savings account?" Manjappada taunted the management a week into the transfer window. The club let go of three players, including fan favourite Rahul K P.

'Sorry state of affairs'
Besides the protests from its fan group, the club has to tackle the 'sorry state of affairs' on the ground after a non-sporting event held at the venue on December 29 ruined the field of play. The club has blamed the stadium owners, Greater Cochin Development Authority, for causing it significant monetary loss.

There is also pressure on the squad to deliver as the club remains six points off the top-six after 15 matches. Even though interim coach T G Purushothaman has managed to secure two wins out of three, he is regularly reminded of the need for consistency.

The Blasters resumed life after Mikael Stahre with a thumping 3-0 home win over Mohammedan, but lost the momentum with a 1-0 defeat to Jamshedpur away. Last week, the Blasters secured a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Punjab FC despite receiving two red cards.

Purushothaman has repeatedly said the idea is to 'keep working hard', and the expected return of star striker Jesus Jimenez should encourage the side. But Odisha are unpredictable. Sergio Lobera's side are unbeaten in their last four away matches, winning two, including a very late equaliser in Chennaiyin, created by former Blasters winger Rahul. The visitors are also four points clear of the Blasters.