3rd March, 2016
Paul Murphy (Army Utd), Natt Miles (Bangkok Utd) and James Pinder (Buriram Utd) preview the 2016 season.
PAUL MURPHY - ARMY UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
1. Buriram Utd
2. Muang Thong
3. Bangkok United
4. Bangkok Glass
Buriram may not be as dominant as they were last season, with Diogo injured for a while and no clear replacement for Macena, but they should still have enough to take the title.
Muang Thong wil benefit from having so many national side players in the same side as they know each other's games well. BKK Utd have added Mario Gjurovski so I expect them to make progress on last season. Bangkok Glass look to have signed an exciting player in Ariel Rodriguez and young attackers Bordin Phala and Thanasith Sriphala should continue to develop.
I think Pattaya United, BBCU and Navy FC will go down.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Bangkok Glass - It always looks like a good arena on TV and, strangely, I have made it to Chiang Rai, Buriram and Suphanburi, but I have yet to pay this place just outside Bangkok a visit. I will put that right this season
What are you most looking forward to?
I think it's going to be very interesting to see how Muang Thong United fare with the spine of the national team all playing together. It will tell us a lot about the quality of the national team in a different context from the Suzuki Cup and Word Cup qualifiers.
What are the expectations for your team?
I expect Army United to regress further this season, as they have been doing for the last two years. Constant coaching changes have led to a strange stagnation in the squad and there is no reliable striker. I would be surprised if they finished in the top 10 and a relegation battle is possible.
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
The heroes will be the fans who continue to support the game, despite the ruling body's best efforts to damage it. The villains will, as always, be incompetent referees and administrators.
NATT MILES - BANGKOK UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
Buriram to finish first again I think, followed by Muang Thong. I'm having a hard time deciding between MTU and Bangkok United but I think Muang Thong have made good use of buying and stripping BEC-Tero, however Super Mario is a great coup for BKK United and I think Mano can push the team on further this year. In fourth I think It'll be Suphanburi.
Struggling to decide a bottom three but I think the three promoted teams, BEC-Tero and Navy will be seeing the bottom the most.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Unfortunately it won't be possible for me this year, as I'm returning to Thailand at the end of year...
What, in general, are you most looking forward to?
I'll just be thankful when the league finally starts and the ball is kicked, I can't believe we have had to put up with so much BS this off-season. Never want to see players injured but with Diogo out for a little while, maybe other teams will be in for a shout of the title for longer? Aside from Thai domestic football. I'm looking forward to the national team and have every bit of me crossed for the game away at Iraq.
What are the expectations for your team?
I think hoping for top three is realistic and qualifying for the ACL 2017 play offs depending what happens in the cup. However based on recent results it may not be worth it. Would like to see Bangkok United go a little better in either cups as well. As mentioned, Mario Gjurovski was a great signing for us and hope he can add a little bit more when we are struggling for goals.
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
Heroes, I'm hoping one or more of the newly promoted teams can survive the drop, last years relegation scrap almost made up for a lack of competition at the top of the league.
Villains will be the refs obviously!
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
The league needs a pathway to the AFC Cup, Thai teams deserve to be able to complete in Asia, seems they are in the middle of the two bar Buriram United, Yangon and JDT were able to play AFC Cup so I think it's time to change and be sensible and realistic but we are talking about Thailand...
JAMES PINDER - BURIRAM UTD (PLT)
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
Most people agree Buriram will retain the title with Suphanburi, Bangkok United and Muang Thong following close behind. At the bottom, I think BBCU, Pattaya and BEC (assuming there's no change to the rules) will drop down. Sukhotai are tipped by many but they've but a lot of new players and will last at least one season.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Personally, I'm looking forward to our first trip to Sukothai and the Chaing Rai game is always loud and fun. Of course, Korat is the most lively and and an amazing atmosphere.
What are the expectations for your team?
Expectations of another 'invincible' season are not realistic. To retain the title will be our main objective.
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
For Buriram, the hero will be anyone who can score goals while Diogo is sidelined. The villain will appear in week 1. Assuming Super Mario if fit then he'll reacquaint himself Buriram in the very first game. We should see how good Bangkok United are on the first weekend. For Buriram United fans, we are considered villains to everyone now so every game is a little more spicy. Can't wait for this weekend.
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