We aren't going to run before we can walk, says Punjab FC head coach Fleming

KOLKATA: In today's footballing world, long-term planning, meticulous organisation, modern and scientific methods of training and recovery, use of advanced tools, technology and an overall thorough professional approach means the element of uncertainty is vastly reduced.
However, things are quite different this season, owing to Covid-19, with no one quite sure what and how things will pan out.
Curtis Fleming, head coach of RoundGlass Punjab FC --- who will play in I-League, sums it up quite perfectly. They have just started their pre-season in the city with many players back to training after a long gap.
"We've got to be really, really careful. The first day of the pre-season was a real careful one, just to re-introduce the players to the grass and the ball again. I think everybody is going blind if I'm honest. We never had to deal with anything like this," said Fleming during an online interaction earlier this week.
"So, do you stray on being overcautious with the players or do you make them work really hard? And I'll probably go down the pathway of thinking that we've got to be a little bit overcautious and just make sure that we're gradually building them up to the start of the league (in January). We have seen quite a few injuries worldwide and I feel we need to gauge them all as individuals."
It's a fresh beginning for the team in the I-League and the coach is looking ahead with a positive frame of mind.
"Our goal is to be competitive this season because you've got a lot of teams that have been playing regularly in the league. The players are unbelievably hungry and we will try to be a force. We will give it our best shot. These are baby steps for us," added Fleming, who is well known for his time at Middlesbrough FC in the Premier League.
The former Ireland international also reflected on his coaching philosophy.
"I think that every coach has a different way of playing. I don't think there's an English way to play or Spanish way. I think there's a coach's way to play. I want to play with intensity. It's a competitive game and we play because we need to score," he opines.
There will be no Mohun Bagan and East Bengal in the I-League from this season but Fleming expects the league to be competitive as usual.
"Life goes on. We've got a long way to go, but we've got a great backing and we've got a plan of what we want to do and what we want to try and achieve. But, you know, we are not going to start running before we can walk," he said. "I feel the I-League is going to be competitive. Every season so many players move to the Indian Super League which shows the kind of quality we have here."