Martin has to keep believing in himself: Miranda on striker’s slow start to ISL

In a truncated competition where each club plays only 13 matches, the new overseas recruits do not have much time to bed in and are expected to hit the ground running straightaway.

But unfortunately for Chennaiyin FC, its Spanish striker Inigo Martin has not taken to the Indian Super League (ISL) like a fish to water. Martin, who has been head coach Clifford Miranda’s first-choice centre-forward thus far, is yet to break his scoring duck in what has been a challenging start to life in Indian football.

Miranda admitted that Martin had been facing hardships leading the line. “It has been difficult for him, especially because it is his first season in India. It takes time to understand the league and the dynamics of it. Also, we did not get enough time to work with him (because of a short pre-season camp),” Miranda said during a virtual chat on Thursday.

Martin’s sub-par performances have been a reason behind Chennaiyin’s (one point from three games) slow start to its ISL campaign. The 26-year-old, however, will continue to shoulder the responsibility when CFC faces southern rivals Kerala Blasters FC in Kochi on Saturday – while Irfan Yadwad’s participation hangs in the balance, Daniel Chima Chukwu remains unavailable.

“It (striker) is the most challenging position because you get very little time and need to make decisions quickly. Inigo has to stay positive and confident. He has to keep going and keep believing in himself. Hopefully, sooner or later, things will change for him as well as the team,” added the chief coach. Martin may perhaps not mind divine intervention in God’s Own Country.