Mehrajuddin Wadoo the Pro-licensed coach working at Mohammdan Sporting has experience playing in traditional Kolkata 'derby' during his football career. He has also been watching both the Kolkata giants sitting on the bench as Mohammedan Sporting's assistant coach. 

Despite the reality that Mohun Bagan Super Giants (MBSG) are topping the ISL table so far and East Bengal languishing at the 11th spot, Mehrajuddin does want to depend on the statistics. 

The 40-year-old coach, busy with Mohammedan Sporting's crucial away match against Bengaluru FC on Saturday evening, spoke over the phone, "Whatever the League table shows result of this match cannot be predicted. Any team can win the match of nerves."

Rather Mehrajuddin emphasized one key factor behind MBSG's consistency in the ISL. "First of all the management deserves a huge appreciation for roping in the country's best footballers. That has been the reason MBSG has built up a formidable reserve bench which is very strong. The bench strength is one crucial factor behind MBSG’s consistency.”

Mehrajuddin added, “Aniruddh Thapa is ruled out of the derby. But that is unlikely to affect the team as they have equally skilled and experienced footballers on the bench. But on the contrary, looking towards East Bengal, the absence of Anwar Ali is likely to make an impact as they lack the equally strong defender on the bench." 

However, Mehrajuddin admitted that Oscar Bruzon’s joining has helped the red-and-gold brigade regain mental strength and according to the former India international, that is going to be a key strength for East Bengal in Saturday's derby. 

“MBSG now has gained a huge confidence following their consistent show in the ISL. So, East Bengal footballers need the psychological strength to break the opposition’s confidence,” concluded Mehrajuddin.