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The author's open letter to Mohun Bagan presents a nuanced perspective on their recent success. While acknowledging and celebrating their ISL league shield and cup double, the writer expresses a desire for the team to exhibit more consistent and captivating gameplay. The argument isn't about questioning their achievements, but rather about urging them to fully unleash their potential and deliver performances that are as aesthetically pleasing as they are effective. The winning goal, a moment of pure brilliance involving Greg Stewart and Jamie Maclaren, is used as a benchmark. The author laments that such moments of 'stardust' were infrequent throughout the final and the season as a whole. While acknowledging other near-misses involving Sahal Abdul Samad and Ashique Kuruniyan, the author suggests that the sheer talent within the squad warrants a higher frequency of such spectacular plays. The critique extends beyond individual brilliance to the team's overall approach. The author notes that many of Mohun Bagan's goals, despite contributing to their impressive tally of 52, were 'mundane' and 'un-aesthetic,' resulting from set-pieces, high-volume low-quality chances, and penalties. The author argues that while the ultimate goal is winning, the viewing experience could be significantly enhanced if more goals were scored with flair and memorable build-up play. A central theme of the letter is the underutilization of the team's vast talent pool. The author highlights the fact that Mohun Bagan possesses a wealth of game-changing players, far exceeding most other teams in India. The ability to bring on players like Dimi Petratos, Stewart, Sahal, and Ashique off the bench is presented as a luxury that should translate into more consistently dominant and visually appealing performances. The author questions whether the team is sacrificing too much 'pizzazz' in their pursuit of victory, suggesting that their methodical approach to winning, while effective, often leaves viewers feeling underwhelmed. The letter delves into the capabilities of individual players, showcasing their unique skills and potential for producing moments of magic. The author mentions Liston Colaco's ability to dribble past multiple defenders or unleash stunning volleys, Manvir Singh's strength in bullying past opponents, Apuia and Anirudh Thapa's long-range shooting and late runs, Sahal and Stewart's dribbling skills, and Cummings, Maclaren, and Petratos' knack for producing moments of brilliance inside the box. The author expresses disappointment that these players don't showcase their full range of abilities more frequently. The author also praises the team's tactical versatility, highlighting their ability to adapt to different game situations, whether it's dominating possession or playing on the counter-attack. The team's comfort level with various styles of play, including playing down the wings, building up passing moves through the middle, and employing a direct route-one approach, is seen as a strength that should contribute to more unpredictable and exciting performances. The author, however, suggests that this versatility is somehow translating into a 'boring' style of play, despite its potential for creating unpredictable and captivating moments. The author anticipates the argument that the limitations of Indian football may be restricting the team's ability to consistently produce magic. However, the author counters this by asserting that Mohun Bagan, with their exceptional squad, have the potential to defy stereotypes and play in a manner that is both effective and visually stunning. The author frames their plea as a 'naïve' and 'desperate' cry from a neutral fan longing for more entertainment. They acknowledge that the team's management, players, and fans may not prioritize entertainment over winning, but they feel compelled to express their desire for Mohun Bagan to unleash their full potential and deliver performances that are both successful and captivating. The call to action at the end, 'Cry havoc, Mohun Bagan, please. And more than once in a long while, let slip the dogs of war,' is a metaphorical plea for the team to embrace a more aggressive and attacking style of play. The author believes that by doing so, Mohun Bagan would not only continue to win trophies but also provide fans with a more enjoyable and memorable viewing experience. The core argument revolves around the idea that winning and entertainment are not mutually exclusive and that Mohun Bagan has the potential to achieve both. The author desires to see the team transcend their current image as a highly effective but somewhat predictable team and transform into a consistently exciting and captivating force in Indian football.
Source: Dear Mohun Bagan: More stardust, please, along with the silverware