Odisha FC squad analysis- A thread:

Head Coach: Stuart Baxter from UK who had previously coached South African National team and pulled off some great results for them. He usually prefers 433 or 451 with counter attacking display. Primary approach is not to concede.

But that's not the necessity that he will play the same tactics which he played there. In an interview he said that he is not a believer of moulding styles of teams in which they got success previously. And yes Gambou was good last season. He mostly believe in playing at strength

Squad: They have signed Kamaljeet this window who will be raring to go and improve after a dissapointing season with the Nizams. Arshdeep is there to give him a tough fight for the spot. Also they have another young GK Ankit Bhuyan. Ravi Kumar too! Expecting Kamal to start.

Defence(CB): They have signed Steven Taylor who is already considered as one of the best CBs in the league! He will be the big element of this young team. Most important player. Jacob Tratt is a tricky signing. Stats and Datas are suggesting he is a true copy of Seriton Fernandes

So would like to see him as a Right Back. However he can play as a CB. There are Indian names like Gaurav Bora, Sajid Dhot and Saurabh Meher who are primarily a Centre Back. Diagne can also play as CB.

Full backs: George D'Souza is probably the first choice Left Back for Stuart Baxter. While Jacob Tratt should be the RB if Gaurav Bora is starting. Or Shubham Sarangi will be the Right Back if coach decided to play Jacob as CB. Hendry Antonay shouldn't be ignored

Midfield: Vinit Rai should be the go to Defensive Midfielder but Diagne is also a great option. Change in Foreigners layout and substitutions will see him getting lots of chances and he deserves it. Cole Alexander is the one who almost have a guaranteed spot.

He is the Midfield general for the club and he has done it for Stuart Baxter while featuring for the Bafana Bafanas. Midfield will be centralised around him and he will definitely do it again for Baxter. Thoiba Singh is an interesting new prospect in the Midfield,expecting games

So Vinit,Cole,Diagne and Thoiba are the "mainstays" of Stuart Baxter midfield.

Attack: They have lots of players promoted from reserves. Diego Mauricio, Marcelinho and Manuel Onwu are the major signings there. Manuel Onwu was looking unstoppable for them when he went on a loan!

Jerry-Nandha duo is also there and they were impressive last season under Gambou. This time Marcelinho is an undisputed starter at either of the wings. It will be interesting to see at which position he will play for majority of the time.

If coach goes for having straight wingers then he will start at LW ahead of Nandha while if he goes for inverted wingers then he will probably start ahead of Jerry at RW. So Marcelinho is making things interesting at the wings. However other good names are there too!

Premjit Singh (RW) Isak Vanlalruatfela (RW) and Boringdao Bodo(LW) are the convincing backups at the wings. So it's not going to be easy for either in the duo. They have to produce better stats this time. Options are many ;-)

Among Onwu and Diego anyone would prefer Onwu

Given that he was phenomenal for them last season and there is a psychological advantage towards him as for the above reason. While expecting Diego Mauricio to be a strong backup for him. Daniel is already touted by Rohan Sharma as the one for future ;-)

What makes them exciting:- Experienced foreigners surrounded with heaps of exciting youngsters.

Weakness:- Since they have only few centralised players in the team, few knocks will take them down massively. Especially in mid. Risk is even further as COVID may choose anyone :-(

Left Back position isn't owned by convincing name but the management has put the extra faith on George D'Souza. However, Left Back position is considered as the biggest weak point on paper.

Some people are saying the goalies are also a weakness but it's not that at all :/

Strength: Their key players, Cole Alexander and Steven Taylor have a big role to play in this team. While they have a bonus in the form of Marcelinho.

Lots of options in attack! As mentioned earlier.

Most importantly, they have the back of thier management :D

Hope you had a good read :-) Suggestions and changes are welcome

@OdishaFC @JuggernautsOFC @KalingaBrigade