‘Miles to go,but maybe Manish is another Climax in the making’

Question: How do you plan to build on the win against East Bengal?
* Bencherifa: Winning the derby in Kolkata will always increase the confidence level,especially when you do it in style. Our progress started from winning against Viva Kerala,followed by victory in the Kolkata league. Add to that the third win against East Bengal (in the last one year). I hope this will inspire us and will mark the beginning of a long series of victories.

Coming into the derby,you and your team were under a lot of pressure. How difficult was the task to get the focus right?
* Well,most of the pressure was baseless as nobody knows the team and the players better than I do. I was confident about our assets and strengths. Football is a team game and I was confident that Team Mohun Bagan would be up to it.

Barreto is likely to miss the first phase of the league… definitely a blow for the team. But you have two overseas (Asian and PIO) quotas left. Will you go for a defender,or will you recruit a striker as a back-up?
* Missing Barreto is definitely a setback for us. Actually,whenever Barreto is not around he is missed by everybody — from his team mates to football lovers. His class and involvement have made him a special player. But we do have options. Branco (Cardozo) and Suraj (Mondal) are improving everyday,and Ishfaq (Ahmed) is always a good addition whether in the flanks or at a more central position. We are likely to have an Asian player appearing for trial very soon,but the PIO is more difficult to get. In fact,in the last four years,the only PIO who has made some impact is Izumi Arata of Pune FC.

How difficult it is for a player,who is on the wrong side of 30,to make a comeback from a three-week-long lay-off?
* No matter what the age,it is always difficult to come back from injuries. But everything is possible if you have discipline and determination,and Barreto has these qualities. So,I am optimistic that he will make a comeback in his usual fashion.

Snehashis Chakraborty is a revelation under your coaching. Do you think,the way he has been playing,he deserves an India call-up?
* My opinion is not important on this subject as the answer should be coming from the coach of the national team. Snehashis is definitely doing very well. He is maturing and improving on every aspect of the game,especially defensively. Modern football needs players who are strong,both going forward and doing the defensive duties. I feel that he will be even better in the near future.

Last year Rakesh Masih was your gift to Indian football. This time,though it’s early days,it seems it’s Manish Mathani. The youngster was impressive at the derby.
* Manish is a perfect example of what hard work can do. He came at the end of the last season for a trial and immediately impressed with his individual technique. But he had to progress a lot physically and tactically. He worked very hard and never gave up,and that was enough to impress us. He is talented,mentally very strong as well. He is an intelligent player. Passing is one of his stronger areas. In fact,I see a lot of Climax Lawrence in him. Climax is unique in Indian football. His elegance,the time he gets on the ball,the space he creates… his game sense and match reading — you put Climax out of the Indian team and the team will look different. Manish has got miles to go,but maybe he is another Climax in the making.

The Federation Cup is approaching and you must be keeping an eye on that tournament as well. Bagan are the defending champions,and to play in the AFC Cup this year,you have to win it again. Do you put Asia on your priority list?
* We will always try to do our best in every tournament we participate,be it the Federation Cup,I-League or the AFC Cup. If the whole squad is fit and available,I think we have enough depth and quality to face the challenges ahead. At the same time,I believe that the local tournaments should be our top priority. Logically,we should impose our supremacy in Indian football first and then think about Asia.

What will be your message to Mohun Bagan fans?
* Mohun Bagan fans are the best I have ever seen. I have done coaching all over the world but never ever I have come across supporters who are so passionate about the game and about their club. Our achievements in the last year wouldn’t have been possible without their unconditional support. My message to them would be to believe in us and keep their faith in us,because more good days are to come for Mohun Bagan.

After a slow start to the I-League,you were attacked from different quarters and sometimes,it was below the belt. How does it feel to silence your critics?
* I am protected even below the belt (chuckles). On a serious note,my focus never shifted. I know my job. And as long as I have the club management and the players behind me,I don’t care much about the rest. There is a small section which has a different agenda based on personal interests. But they are harming Bengal football. What they don’t know is that their method is exposed now,because football lovers of Kolkata know the game. They also know the players and the coaches,and are smart enough not to get influenced by unnecessary criticism.