Defending I-League champions Bengaluru FC left for China as a part of their pre-season tour, yesterday September 24. Setting a trend in Indian Football, and getting out to play three practice matches in Beijing, over the course of two weeks, the news was received well by one and all.

Prior to their tour, I-League Media caught up with the team’s gaffer, Ashley Westwood, during the pre-season training at their training grounds in Bangalore to note his thoughts from the training so far, the shape of the team, his thoughts on the youngsters, countdown to I-League 2014/15 and more.

INTERVIEW

Ashley, talk us through the Club’s pre-season training and preparations so far.
Pre-season has been going well. We have emphasized on the shape of the team, the overall fitness as well as the technical side of things. Obviously, we have a few new faces that have had to come in and adapt to our system and routine and they seem to be doing well.
Integrating new players into our philosophy is one of the primary objectives.

There were a few few friendlies the team was involved in this pre-season. How have they helped in judging the shape of the team?
The shape has been as good as have the performances. The new signings have definitely strengthened us. It just makes competition for the starting XI as fierce as ever.

How have they modified the balance of the team?
All of the new signings seem to be genuine athletes. They have improved us and this means we have an evenly matched squad with anyone in the squad good enough to play in the starting XI.

How have the youth team been?
The youth team is much like the first team. It’s a new set up – only one-year-old – and we are growing all the time. Like any young player, you need a couple of years to reap the rewards.

You are taking the team for their pre-season preparations to a tour of China. In a nutshell, give us your visions with Bengaluru FC for the upcoming edition of the I-League.
I would like to think we are going to show more improvement than we did last season. We have spent 14 months together now so the understanding is even better and we still have lots of room for improvement. It should be an interesting season.
As for the tour, playing some competitive games against teams from China and Hong Kong will give us an idea of how we will figure in the AFC Champions League and the AFC Cup.
We have a system and philosophy at the club that will remain intact.

Give us an honest view on this. Do you see defending the I-League title as a pressure or just another challenge?
There’s always pressure in defending a title. Everyone is aware that we are the champions and everyone wants to beat the champions. The teams that we come up against will never give us an easy ride because it’s a feather in your cap now to beat Bengaluru Football Club.

On a parting note, give us an insight on your coaching philosophy/mantra for success?
(It has always been) Just to work hard, give 100% in training, to make sure we are going to keep improving, and as an old cliché in football goes – you train as you play.
If you don’t apply yourself correctly in training, you won’t be at your maximum potential. So, all we ask at this club is 100% application and commitment.

(Interview courtesy I-League Media / Picture courtesy Bengaluru FC)