CALCUTTA, July 7: Mohun Bagan is surely the most improved football side in the country so far this season. From, also rans in the National League, to one of the title favourites for the Federation Cup this year, Bagan have surprised many expertS with their rediscovered vigour. After drubbing Churchill Brothers 6-0 in the Federation cup quarter-final at Guwahati, Bagan proved that they have indeed left behind the indifferent form of last season and have made a fresh beginning. All this due to their new coach Amal Dutta and the interesting style he has introduced.

The `Diamond System' is what he calls it. Dutta, a veteran coach with an excellent knowledge of the game, says he had first seen this style being used by the Polish team in the 1987 Nehru Cup. Intrigued, Dutta decided then itself that he will use this technique as soon he is able to understand it properly. After studying the video recording a number of times, Dutta was ready to introduce it in India.

When Mohun Bagan requested him to take over after their former Syed Nayeemuddin was called up for national service, Dutta knew the time had come for him to try the Diamond.

Bagan skipped the McDowell Cup this time year as the team was still in the process of getting used to the new system. The target was the Federation Cup and Calcutta Super Division Football League. In both, the pattern has been a success so far. The acid test, however, lies on July 13 against East Bengal.The Diamond system is an attacking formation in which seven to eight players are constantly on the ball. The team starts with a three-man defence, five-man midfield and a two-man frontline. The midfielders take most of the load as they are expected to join the strikers whenever an attack is being planned, at the same time they have to fall back to help the defence foil any counter-attack. ``The players are constantly on the move and that is what makes the game interesting for spectators,'' Dutta exudes.

With seven men chasing the ball, the attack definitely gets the bite, but doesn't that leave the defence vulnerable. Dutta agrees that is a loophole in the system. ``We have to be prepared to take chances,'' Dutta goes on. He knows a quick counter-move can put their goal under severe stress, but is willing to take the risk. ``The spectators come to watch exciting football with goals being scored.

We as coaches should provide them with that.'' The sheer ability of the system to increase the number of players on the ball is what makes it all the more interesting. Dutta believes the game nowadays has become very much defence oriented. ``By introducing the Diamond system, I am hoping to change that.'' Of course there have been critics; experts who believe Dutta's idea is not suitable for Indian conditions, and those who even ridicule the system as a hypothetical one. Churchill Brothers' coach Danny McLennan was reported to have dismissed the Diamond system as non-existent before their humiliating loss to Bagan. Till now, Dutta has had the last laugh.

The coach admits that the new system requires an immense amount of energy. He is confident his players will build up the required stamina through practise. Dutta says the Bagan players have responded well to the system, although perfection is still a long way After defeating West Bengal Police 4-0 in a Calcutta League match, Dutta felt that his players have achieved 80% of what he expected from them. Nigerian Chima Okerie too feels the system, if it succeeds, will make Bagan a very strong force.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.