“We’re Here to Win”: Ashley Westwood Sets Ambitious Target for Kerala Blasters’ ISL 2026-27 Campaign

Returning midfielder Adrian Luna backs the team’s winning mentality as Kerala Blasters prepare to open their season against Inter Kashi FC in Pune.

Kerala Blasters FC will begin their Indian Super League (ISL) 2026-27 campaign against Inter Kashi FC on Saturday, with head coach Ashley Westwood making the club’s ambitions clear: the objective is to win matches and compete for trophies.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference in Pune on October 10, Westwood acknowledged the challenges posed by a shortened preparation period but insisted that the club would not use the limited pre-season as an excuse. Returning midfielder Adrian Luna echoed that sentiment, stressing the importance of starting the campaign positively and building a competitive team capable of challenging throughout the season.

The opening fixture at the Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex presents Kerala Blasters with their first opportunity to translate those ambitions into results. With a new campaign beginning, the immediate priority will be securing a positive result while establishing the consistency Westwood wants from his team.

Westwood struck an ambitious tone when discussing the club’s objectives for the season, emphasising that Kerala Blasters must combine entertaining football with a consistent pursuit of victories.

“The plan is to build, be consistent, hopefully try and play some good football to keep the fans entertained. Of course, we're winners at this football club and we're here to win, it's as simple as that. Whether we'll have enough is another question but our sole aim is to win every football match and to win trophies,” Westwood said.

His comments underline the expectations surrounding Kerala Blasters, a club with a passionate fan base and ambitions of competing for major honours.

However, Westwood also recognised that establishing a winning team requires more than setting targets. Building consistency, identifying solutions and improving performances over the course of the campaign will be central to his approach.

The coach’s emphasis on entertaining football is also significant. Kerala Blasters will be expected to produce performances that engage their supporters while maintaining the discipline required to collect points in a competitive league.

For Westwood, the objective is not simply to navigate the opening weeks but to develop a team that can sustain its level throughout the season.

The limited time available to prepare for the new campaign was another major talking point during the press conference. With Kerala Blasters having had only a short period to work together before the opener, Westwood acknowledged the challenge but made it clear that the team must adapt rather than dwell on circumstances.

“Of course, we haven't had enough time, but that's what it is. We're not going to be talking about that in the future. That's what it is; everybody knows. I'm not going to sit there; if we lose, I'm not going to start crying and saying we've not had enough time. That's the hand we have. "You have to try and come up with a solution, and you have to try and win,” he said.

The statement reflects a pragmatic approach to the opening stages of the season. A compressed preparation period can limit the time available to develop tactical understanding, establish combinations and bring players up to the required level of match readiness.

Nevertheless, Westwood wants his side to focus on the factors within their control. Rather than allowing the circumstances to dictate expectations, the coach expects his players to find ways to compete and improve as the campaign progresses.

The opening match against Inter Kashi will therefore provide an early indication of how effectively Kerala Blasters can translate their limited preparation into an organised and competitive performance.

Adrian Luna returns with winning ambitions

Luna’s return provides another important storyline ahead of the season opener. The midfielder expressed his happiness at being back with the club and emphasised that the team must approach the campaign with the intention of winning matches from the outset. “I am happy to be back. I am ready for this new season. What we are expecting is to be competitive as always, trying to win games, and we have to go after them,” Luna said.

The midfielder also acknowledged the short preparation period, but like Westwood, he refused to treat it as an excuse for underperformance.

“It’s true that we have only one week of training, but it’s not going to be an excuse for us. We have to go there and try to play good football, try to win. This is the most important thing, and to try to start the season in a good way,” he added.

Luna’s comments reinforce the message coming from the coaching staff: Kerala Blasters must approach the opening fixture with confidence and a proactive mentality.

His return also gives supporters a familiar figure to follow as the team begins a new campaign. While the extent of his role and the team's tactical approach will become clearer during the season, his stated priorities align closely with Westwood’s emphasis on competitiveness and results.

Kerala Blasters’ ambitions will now face their first examination against Inter Kashi FC in Pune. The opening fixture offers Westwood an immediate opportunity to assess his team's readiness under competitive conditions. With limited preparation behind them, organisation, decision-making and the ability to adapt during the match could prove particularly important.

A positive result would provide an encouraging foundation for the campaign, while the performance itself will offer valuable information about the areas requiring improvement. Westwood has made it clear that he will judge the team by its ability to compete and find solutions rather than by the difficulties encountered before the season began.

For Luna and his teammates, the challenge is to turn that message into action on the pitch.

Kerala Blasters begin the ISL 2026-27 season with a clear statement of intent from their head coach and returning midfielder. Winning trophies remains the ultimate ambition, but the immediate task is straightforward: produce a competitive performance, secure a positive start and begin building the consistency required for a sustained challenge.

The campaign starts in Pune, and Westwood’s message leaves little room for ambiguity: Kerala Blasters are here to win.