MUMBAI, NOV 24: Defending champions Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills, Phagwara (JCT) will take a break before beginning their campaign for the National Football League next month. As things stand, JCT will have to do exceptionally well to retain their title. JCT will not be the favorites as eight of their playing eleven - including IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Anchery, Carlton Chapman, Baichung Bhutia, Tejinder Kumar, Harish Kumar, Stephen Abrawoie and Bernard - are not in the starting line-up. Yet, its not a side to be underestimated.Here are excerpts from an interview with their soft-spoken coach Sukhwinder Singh.Q How are you managing the team after the loss of eight main players? A A coach's job is to manage and train, besides getting the best out of the available players and I'm no exceptional to it. They had contracts with us and did their job perfectly.Q Did they tell you about their transfers?A Most of them informed us well in advance that they are leaving as they were approached by many other leading clubs of the country. And it is not necessary for a player to give a solid reason if he wishes to move out after the end of his contract.Q Why has only JCT lost players?A We had a winning combination and we proved that during the last season. And as KBL FC Kochi wanted to start a new club, they wanted the same. So they took away IM Vijayan, Jo Paul Anchery and Chapman. Bernard got married to a Keralite girl. So he also wanted to be in Kerala.Q Whom did you want to sign up after this mass transfer took place? A We had Raman Vijayan in our mind but he also preferred to play for his home team (FC Kochi). Later we recruited Nigerians, Emeka Achilefu and Abdul Latif.Q Why has Tausif Jamal not been included in the line up?A JCT has a contract with him and he was with us till May for practice. But he has failed to turn up after that. He had informed us about his injury which he got during the Nehru Cup. But he seems to be having some problems with his department also.Q How do you rate the team's performance this year? A The team has done well in Durand and DCM as we surprised FC Kochin.Q The trio of Tejinder Kumar, Carlton Chapman and Harjinder Singh did well last year. Why have they not done that well here? Are the new medios equally talented as their predecessors?A The main problem against TFA was injury to Jasbir Singh. During the course of time, TFA got hold of the game and starting combining well. But Harjinder, Bhupinder, Hardip are learning and are doing a good job so far.Q What are your plans to defend the NFL League title ?A We are planning to call back Stephen Abrawoi and our ex-defender Manjit Singh, who is settled in Canada. Musa Aliu will take care of the defence along with Tarsem and Manjinder Singh.Q Have you got any plans of recruiting players from TFA?A We have a plan and we are keeping a close eye on performances of all the players.
