Despite being on top of the points table in the ongoing Hockey India League (HIL), Jaypee Punjab Warriors coaches Barry Dancer and Jagbir Singh feel that a lot of progress is still to be made if the team has to win this year's trophy.
Former Australian player-turned-coach Dancer said though it is good to be on the top after having played three games, but there are still many grey areas which need to be ironed out.
"There are a number of areas where we haven't been as good as we need to be and we will be working on those. And certainly after first three matches, there have been deficiencies and inconsistencies in our game, so we still have a lot of progress to make and I am confident that we can do that if we work hard off the pitch and on the pitch in next two or three weeks," Dancer told PTI.
Punjab Warriors drew their opening game against Dabang Mumbai and notched up back-to-back wins at their home turf in Mohali against Kalinga Lancers and Uttar Pradesh Wizards and now they travel to Delhi for their next game.
They have some quality international and domestic players in the side including Jamie Dwyer, Jaap Stockmann, Mark Knowels, Sandeep Singh, Dharamvir Singh, S V Sunil and young talent like Sumit Toppo and Affan Yousuf.
When asked why the team has been slow to get off the blocks in first quarter in all the three games played so far, Dancer said, "It is an issue that has to be addressed. Last year, we were leading the game a lot in the first quarter".
He, however, said that he is pleased with the way players have responded after being behind in the opening quarter of the first three matches.
"As the game has progressed, their game has improved, but it is very clear that we don't need to give opposition the headstart," Dancer said.
Team coach and manager, Jagbir Singh, also said that the team was already working on the grey areas.
"We are working on this (slow starts), it can be ignored in one or two matches, but not in three games. During our training sessions, we have been working on this," he said.
Team player S V Sunil admitted that the "flow" and momentum needed right from the start of the game was missing during the last matches.
"We should have won the game against Mumbai. In last game verus UP Wizards, we made some mistakes," Sunil said, adding the team was training hard to set things right.
Jagbir Singh said that there is stiff competition in the league among the teams.
"Every team is equal. There is a good balance in all teams, no team can be called clear favourites," he said.
When asked about the junior talent in his team, Dancer said, "It has come on very well, we have number of Indian players who have progressed significantly during the last couple of years and they are far better players now."
Asked about HIL's influence on development of hockey in the country, Dancer said, "HIL has been part of the reason for the growing success of the national senior and junior teams. I can see the players improving, I can see the style of the game improving, so I think HIL has helped in the progress of the national team."
Dancer said that international stars and senior national players rubbing shoulders with junior talents help them.
"That's an important factor. For some of our younger players it's inspirational to play along side their idols, imagine a young (Sumit) Toppo in our team playing his first year in the league along side greats like Jamie Dwyer ... and also technically, understanding the game better. In our team, some of our senior players mentor the junior players."
Agreeing with Dancer, Jagbir said: "Many youngsters in our team until recently may have only seen players like Jamie Dwyer on TV. Now, they are playing along side him and they can freely seek advice from him and improve their game."
He said that playing in professional leagues not just gives financial security to the players but also gives them exposure to the world.
"Earlier, it used to take a year for a player to come to limelight. Now, in just 30-40 days, players like Manpreet, Mandeep, Gurinder, Malak get opportunity to prove their talent," he said.
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