The 2018 Season
I think as a whole, this season has been very good, considering all the changes that happened at the beginning of the year. We now have five players who joined us at the start of the campaign, that are regularly playing in our first XI. To have so many changes, and still be able to gel this quickly, and play the football that we have, is a credit to everyone at the club. It is testament to all the players and staff, that we have been able to create such a good spirit within the team and hit the ground running. Most importantly, I think we will finish in the top three. Once again, I think it’s been a season that we can take a lot from, and push on for the future.
In comparing 2018 to 2017, we have improved in lots of aspects. You can see that we have kept a lot of clean sheets and have not conceded many goals; so far, only Buriram Utd have conceded less. For me, as a defender, this has been the highlight of the season. It’s also been a good season for me personally. I have played 26 games so far and scored some goals. Although I probably won’t score again!
My Year
I’ve really enjoyed this year, as I’ve felt fit and healthy since the start, following a good pre season. For the team, I think the highlight was the record breaking 12 wins in a row, which, in this league, is not easy to do. We had some great away wins at Suphanburi, Chiang Rai Utd, Sukhothai, Bangkok Glass, Thai Port etc and hopefully again this Sunday at Chonburi! Seriously, this will be another difficult game, when we will have to be at our best to get any result there.
Working With Mano
The season is still not over and we must secure 2nd place to consider it a success. Of course, a lot of the credit for the way this season has gone has to go to Mano, for always finding a way to get results and get it tactically spot on. This is why he is well respected in Thailand and I’m sure many clubs here would love to have him if he wasn’t with Bangkok United. I’m lucky enough to have worked with him for 5 years and I’m still learning more and more off him every day. The only problem is, he thinks he is Pep Guardiola but I have told him he is more like Klopp!!
I think his style of football is great for any player to be a part of and am sure many players would love to join Bangkok United because of him. This is also why a lot of neutral fans in Thailand like watching us because we always play attractive football and have a style that, I believe, makes us different and special to watch. We try to play football the right way!
Hopefully we can continue to play football this way, whilst winning trophies...that’s the target. I’ve been here 4 years and we have come a long way in every aspect as a club during that time, but the next step, within the next 2-3 years, is to win things. It won’t be easy, but I think the experience of coming so close in the last couple of years will only make us stronger.
Chonburi v Bangkok Utd
I have been really impressed with Chonburi this season. I love how they have really looked to the youth and home grown players to take the club forward. I really feel that the young Thai players who are currently playing, will play for the senior national team in the near future. They have lots of talent, and because they have played together from a young age and come through the ranks together, you can see the confidence in the way they are playing together and the understanding they have. Therefore, along with the talent they have and the experience they have gained this season, I believe Chonburi will be back in the top 5 next year.
Sunday’s game will be difficult for sure, but we are confident that if we have the right attitude and play the best we can, I’m sure we can get a result to take back to Bangkok. But we must be at our best. Chonburi have many players we have to be wary of, but i think Worachit has had a very good season - and he scored in our last meeting - so we will have to keep an eye on him again this Sunday.
The Future
For me personally, I just want to keep enjoying my football, keep fit and healthy, and take it year by year. This is my 9th season in Thai football and I’m feeling fitter and younger with each passing year. I think that comes with the experience of knowing the league and my own body. I’m really enjoying my football so the plan is to play for as long as I can at the top level. Last year, with the injury that I had, and played on with, I wouldn’t have been this optimistic. However, with the way I’m feeling right now, I’m hoping to play for at least the next 3-5 years at the top level.
After I finish playing, I will probably stay within football in some kind of capacity. With the football degree and coaching background I did in Wales, I will probably try to work at a club in Thailand, but that’s still a very long way away and I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Right now I’m focussed on playing and doing the best I can for Bangkok Utd and hopefully win a title with this club. That’s the immediate ambition.
As for the national team, I will always be available and honoured when selected because I’m very proud to play for Thailand and hope to do so again.
The Thai League
In terms of the Thai league, it is improving year by year in most aspects. Many people within the game are still not happy with the referees, but I will say that the level of the officiating has improved a lot this year and I think it will continue to get better. They will have to because the league will only get bigger over the next couple of years and I can see more and more international players from across the world coming to play in Thailand. Therefore, we want to make sure every aspect of the game here is up to the standards of other leading countries in Asia, and I feel it will be with time.
No comments:
Post a Comment