Q - Please could you tell us a bit about yourself.
A - My name is Tommie Duncan. I am a 46 yr old transplanted Texan (that is in the US for the uninitiated) who has been living in Thailand for 12 years. I run a small jewelry sourcing, model making, and design business and also dabble a bit in website content writing.
Q - How long have you been following Thai Port?
A - I have to confess I am a new fan. I started following this year.
Q - How did you first get to hear about the club?
A - Actually my fiance had been after me to attend a TPL match for quite a while. After balking for a few months I finally agreed. We first went to a BEC Tero match and it was like being at a wake, so we attended a Thai Port match the next week and I was hooked. Being a lifelong sports fan it is so wonderful to have live events to attend.
Q - How many matches do you manage to get to?
A - All the home matches and most of the away matches in Bangkok. I also try to make as many friendlies as possible.
Q - What is your typical match day routine?
A - The gal and I usually eat at MK, head home for a quick nap and arrive at PAT 45 min before match time. I like to get there a bit early as I like to get as close to the top corner of Section A as I can.
Q - If you can't make it to a match, how do you follow the action?
A - On TV!
Q - What has been the funniest or strangest experience you've had whilst watching Thai Port?
A - The first time I heard all the folks at PAT stadium shouting "I HIA" at the top of their lungs when the official made a bad call. I knew I was in the right place then.
Q - Who have been your best players this season?
A - Hard to say. Our African contingent always plays well. Munze has made some key saves, the latest being against Chiang Rai today. Moises is an anchor in the back and Jacob holds the ball well even though he has been asked to play out of position since the "fire sale" of our strike force.
As of late Dong Chan and Robb have been getting some minutes and in time will make a difference. Our squad is quite young but is developing well. If you compare the performance of some of our younger Thai players now with 3 months ago there has been marked improvement. Ekkabhum has been a bright spot all year. A fiery kid with plenty of speed. Now if we can just keep him on his feet more!
Q - What would represent a good season for you from here on in?
A - A win or two and a couple of draws would be nice. Now that it looks like we have enough points to stay up, we need to focus on getting the younger players some time on the pitch.
Q - Overall, how do you rate your team's performance this season?
A - Before four of our best players were unloaded we were starting to look good sitting in 5th place. For the next few months it was quite depressing to be a Thai Port fan. Seeing the team pulled apart and struggling was not fun. The last month has seen a ray of hope as Thongchai's system seems to be taking hold with the players finally buying into it and starting to perform.
Q - What are your thoughts on the way your club is run?
A - Urgh! Dreadful to say the least. Players not being paid for months is unacceptable. Selling four top players and a fantastic coach for 20 mil baht? Give me a break. Our "sponsor" needs to be jettisoned or they need to put up the money to run a top flight team. The stadium needs improvement as well. We have a great fan base and a good set of players and we deserve better.
Q - Are you happy with the coach?
A - I must say that over the last few matches my impression of Thongchai has changed. For the first three months of his tenure the team was dreadful. His system was not working and his selection of players was questionable. However, the improvement in play over the last month has shown a willingness on his part to adapt to the talent he has available to him. In all fairness, he was presented with a very tough situation. Taking over from a successful coach and being presented with a squad completely devoid of strikers is a tough position to be thrust into. I would like to see what he could do with a few more key players.
Q - Which areas on the field do you feel need to be improved or strengthened the most?
A - No question, we need strikers. We do not have a single capable one. Our production in the second half of the season has been abysmal. We could also use a good holding mid-fielder. The loss of Jirawat was perhaps the single biggest loss that pushed us to the bottom half of the table.
Q - What advice would you give to your coach and your club's owners?
A - To Thongchai, hang in there, things are slowly getting better. To the owners, pay your salaries. It is your obligation. You are lucky that any of the players have hung with you. Put up or sell. Do you really think players will resign? Ditch the current sponsors and find someone with deep pockets who will deliver what they promise. Bring the stadium up to standards.
And one more piece of advice to the league. If there is not one, there needs to be a salary cap for all teams. It is the best way to ensure a competitive league.
Q - Which visiting team has impressed you the most this season?
A - So far I was impressed with Pattaya United. Quite a strike force they have assembled.
Q - Which visiting player has impressed you the most this season?
A - Frank O from PEA is formidable. I would be surprised if they are able to hang onto him.
Q - Which set of visiting fans have impressed you the most this season?
A - The Pattalung fans were great. What amazing spirit and a long way to travel.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi FC?
A - Chonburi is a class organization. You seem to have owners that are committed to building a team that competes for the title year after year. Great stadium, rabid fans, and a group of players that work well together. I went to see you play against Army in your FA Cup tie. Of the top flight teams you guys are my #1!
Q - Are there any tips you can give to visiting Chonburi fans ie where to eat and drink before the game?
A - Nothing close to PAT but The Londoner Pub on Sukhumvit Soi 33 is the unofficial home of the Farang Port Contingent.
Q - Would you like to give a score prediction?
A - Port 1 Chonburi 2
Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
A - Thanks for giving me the opportunity to do this interview. Best of luck in the match and let's link up for a drink!
Q - That sounds like a good idea. Thanks Tommie.
A - You're welcome.
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