East Bengal starts practice under new coach

Kolkata: With their star striker Bhaichung Bhutia joining the team towards the later half, East Bengal kicked off their season, practising under newly-appointed coach Trevero James Morgan.

Having watched his boys in action, the 54-year-old UEFA `A` licence holder coach said his immediate task would be to develop communication skills among the players on the field. "Communication skills while playing needs to be developed. This is an area which will come with experience. The more they play together, the faster they will learn," the Englishman told reporters. Morgan, however, said he is very happy with the level of fitness of the players. "I am pleased to see their fitness level. The ground condition, facility are also good. We need to make a good bench strength so that they can be consistent even when the main players are away," he said. Morgan chose not to delve on the team`s pathetic performance last season and said it`s time to look forward. "Every team has a dream. We would want to win every match and play in the AFC Cup." East Bengal had practiced for about an hour on the opening day as Bhutia joined them afterwards.Bhutia is recovering from a thyroid-related illness and will leave for India`s Asian Cup 2011 prepartory camp in Portugal on Wednesday. East Bengal have five national players -- Bhutia, Syed Rahim Nabi, Sushil Singh, Baljit Singh Saini and Mehrajuddin Wadoo -- on their roster. Morgan is the second Englishman to take charge of an Indian club after David Booth, who had earlier coached Mumbai FC and Mahindra United. East Bengal narrowly missed relegation, finishing ninth in the I-League 2009-10 and drew a blank in the AFC Cup, losing all their matches.Their only brightspot, however, was their Federation Cup triumph. PTI