New Delhi: He likes to keep a low-profile but India's hockey coach Michael Nobbs isn't leaving anything to chance when it comes to bringing the magic back to Indian hockey, starting with qualification for the London Olympics.
Speaking to IBNLive.com on the sidelines of India's preparatory camp for the Test series against South Africa and the Olympics qualifiers, Nobbs touched upon the most debatable topics of India hockey - ranging from Penalty Corner (PC) conversions to losing matches in the dying minutes to building the bench-strength.
Where does Indian hockey stand right now?
I said when I first came in that we want three players for every position in the team and we're pretty well getting close to that now. We've got three right-halves, three left-halves. There are a few positions we are a little short on. So we need to try a few combinations. So these [matches against South Africa] are really selection trials for the [Olympic] qualifiers.
Basically, the squad will be reduced to 33 or maybe 35 players in the next few days. That group will be in the Test series against South Africa. We will not be fielding our strongest team in any of those matches unless it's by accident. But primarily, it is to find out the combination which we need, who plays well with whom.
Is it difficult to manage a preparatory camp as large as 45 players? Does it make your task of choosing the final squad easier or difficult?
It's a little difficult. But we need to do it simply because later on, assuming we qualify [for the Olympics], this year we have three teams going away all at the same time: one junior team and two senior teams. The real crux of it is that we now have a base of two full Indian teams. So it gives us depth now, which is what we particularly need.
Fitness levels are good. The patterns are starting to emerge in terms of attacking hockey. The defensive structure we still have to work on. We haven't had much time because we have been touring so much. That's a concern; hopefully it's not a big concern.
Of India's three PC specialists - Sandeep Singh, VR Raghunath and Rupinder Pal Singh - who do you think is the most lethal and can score consistently?
You have to say our top two are Sandeep and Raghunath. Bobby [Rupinder] is probably there but he hasn't had enough opportunities to actually do it. When he's gone in, he has put the ball in the net. But I think we're very lucky to have three world-class flickers; never had before. We have another kid coming through called Gurjinder Singh.
India have at times gifted away matches in the dying minutes, like we saw in the final of the Champions Challenge-I. What do you think is the reason for that weakness?
I understand the reasons for that. It's nothing to do with fitness. It's primarily because we've had players sent off and we're very vulnerable when players are sent off. Raghu [VR Raghunath] was sent off in the (Champions Challenge-I) final in South Africa and two goals were scored. In the semi-final game, against Malaysia, we played a total of 32 or 33 minutes with a player off. You just can't play international hockey with 10 players; it's just not possible. There are interchange methods as well. We have a timing method with our players where they play six to nine minutes depending on position and fitness levels. But when a player gets sent off, that really mucks it all up.
Out of France, Italy, Poland, United States and Canada, who do you rate as serious threats to India's Olympics qualification?
All of them and none of them. I don't think any of them should beat us. On paper, we should win every game unless something drastically goes wrong, something we just haven't prepared for.
What's your opinion about Sardar Singh, who has been picked up as centre-half in the World XI?
He's just magical in the middle of the field. You ask Ric Charlesworth or any player in the world and they will say the magic of Indian hockey and the skills of Sardar are there.
Before signing off, what do you want to say about Indian hockey?
We're nearing the Olympic qualification and we're trying to bring the magic back into Indian hockey.
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