Ismaili signed three strikers to strengthen their unproductive frontline but they needed to reinforce their midfield first, according to striker Mohsen Abou-Greisha. Abou-Greisha has been blamed for failing to live up to expectations since returning from an unsuccessful spell with Chinese Zhejiang Lucheng in 2008. He usually partners Ahmed Ali upfront but Ismaili's new coach Mark Wotte opted to bring in more strikers after his side slumped to a 1-0 defeat by Algeria's JS Kabylie in their Champions League group stage opener. "Signing new strikers will benefit us because it will increase competition," Abou-Greisha, who managed to score just on league goal last season, told FilGoal.com on Saturday. "But we did not have a big problem upfront anyway; we had a problem in midfield. "We lacked the creative passes which feed the strikers. We needed to sign new players in that area." Ismaili had to do without influential duo Abdullah Saied and Omar for large parts last term due to injuries. The absence of the attacking midfielders dearly affected Ismaili as they finished third in the Egyptian Premier League behind runners-up Zamalek and champions Ahli. "When Saied and Gamal were present, things were clearly different. We were able to create many goalscoring opportunities," Abou-Greisha added. The 28-year-old is unlikely to retain his regular place in Ismaili's starting line-up next season following the arrival of Moroccan forward Abdessalam Benjelloun, Nigerian Ndubuisi Godwin and free agent Mostafa Gaafar. The Dervishes open their league campaign against Petrojet on August six.
