In an attempt to reshape the Mahindra United campaign, the team boss Pereira well aware of the enormity of the task that lies ahead, exudes confidence and belief that his players will show the strength of character and a degree of consistency in their quest for redemption.

“Definitely we have to pull things back in the second phase of the league; it’s a do or die situation for us. We had enough time to prepare ourselves for the matches ahead during the break. The boys are much fitter, it’s a fresh start for us, we will go match by match and play consistent football,”said Mahindra United coach Derrick Pereira.

Mahindra United, with a first-leg encounter still to be played, have managed just two wins and are currently in the bottom half of the league table with nine points.

The former champions need to get out of trouble as quickly as possible if they harbour any hopes of pulling things back in the second leg to have any chance of producing a creditable finish in the 12-team league.

Pereira, the former international further added, “The boys have the character to get back to winnings ways and they will. We have worked on the grey areas of our game, we are ready for it.”

Unable to build on the success of the Durand Cup, one of the major reasons behind Mahindra United’s poor showing so far has been the lack of finishing, clearly reflected in the fact that they have scored just seven goals in ten matches. The end product was just not there to compliment the approach work.