5th March, 2016
Chonburi fans Tim Banks, Tim Spear and me (going all Alan Partridge by interviewing myself) bring our week of PLT season previews to a close.
TIM BANKS
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and the bottom 3?
Top 4
1.Buriram,2 Muang Thong,3 Suphanburi,4 Bangkok United
Cannot see the top 2 changing with their experience,resources and political clout, although both Suphanburi and Bangkok Utd play good football. They have both strengthened and given solid starts, they could be in the mix during leg 1, which would be good for the PLT.
Bottom 3
Pattaya, Sukhothai, BBCU
Unknown quantities at the bottom but you could say that it may be any three from 6/7 but the promoted three take the places pre-season.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
Navy,because it's a real community set up with a myraid of pitches, all in use by young age group games. It is also devoid of self important security as with other grounds, as the Matelots are in charge. Also, it has a great array of vendors and they make you very welcome. In my opinion, ,ast year's visit was the most enjoyable day out of the season.
What, in general, are you most looking forward to?
Really looking forward to the days and evenings out together that are such a part of the Thai football experience. As we ex-pats get together to lament or praise the PLT and our clubs, while also missing so hugely our own English clubs and real professional football. Whilst the product here is undoubtedly flawed and the word professional stands for hugely different standards, I for one would hate to see it disappear as it plays such an important role in trying to substitute for our love of English football.
What are the expectations for your team?
Chonburi decided that we did not need Cunha, Mineiro, Sinthaweechai etc and whilst our balance sheet looks better, our expectations,whereas top 4 was nearly a given,would now be top ten. Unfortunately, our matches to date bear that out and it could be a long and very average season, given that we were only two wins from lifting the Championship the season before last.
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
The villains will be the PLT in general, as our hopes disappear that things are not going to change. Also those in particular that conduct the lottery of the fixtures, with the huge gaps in the schedule and no doubt the many changes to come throughout both legs 1 and 2.
The heroes will undoubtedly be the fans throughout the PLT and other leagues. The PLT just do not deserve their loyalty,colour and commitment, given the way they are treated season after season.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I 100% endorse Matt's view that recent years qualification into the AFC CL has been all but wasted. As when Chonburi actually played in the AFC Cup, we got to the quarters and then the semis and we learnt a huge amount. However, nowadays a win against our neighbours at home in pre-qualifying and thereafter a one off away match in China,Korea or Japan over the last three years and then an automatic exit before our league has even started has undoubtedly been a complete waste of time and resources. Most importantly the opportunity of gaining much needed experience has been lost. Whereas I definitely advocate that the two qualifiers, other than our league champions,should go straight into the AFC Cup.
I also agree with Tommy that the standard and product in general has gone backwards in recent years. Whereas I thought that expansion 4/5 years ago was a given, as the standards were definitely on the up, as was the enjoyment, but now I feel that if we have more of the same in the immediate next couple of seasons with all that entails and the never ending sagas to the detriment of the fans I could really forsee the PLT being a bust?
The fans deserve better and if it is not delivered then the future of Thai professional football could be seriously in doubt.
TIM SPEAR
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and bottom 3?
Top will be Buriram. This is for obvious reasons, they are well run and have excellent structure through the team and management. I see MT as once again the bridesmaids, with Supanburi third. I think perhaps Bangkok Glass have the chance of 4th place, as they continue to be well organised and are also well managed and ambitious.
For relegation - well Pattaya must be obvious candidates, no money, few contracted players. I think that Navy will struggle too, and also BBCU or Sukothai.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
I do love the Navy ground, and of course Pattaya for the poor fans. Unfortunately I will probably attend less games than ever this season due to the amount of games on Wednesdays and Sundays.
What, in general, are you most looking forward to?
The end! Unfortunately, I do not have any hope for Chonburi this season.
What are the expectations for your team?
For Chonburi, the only hope is that we can blood some of the youngsters, and try at least to play some attractive football, which was not seen at all last season. I do hope that we are drawn against Port FC in the cup, as really want to see Thiago once again. I just still cannot believe he was allowed to leave.
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
Let's wait and see, although the villains are usually the men in black and their not so able assistants. If they can regulate a match without being seen or noticed, well that is my wish.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I hope that we can give the cups a go this season, and not get drawn against the eventual winners (Buriram Utd) in an early round, as we appear to be each year.
DALE FARRINGTON
Which teams do you think will finish in the top 4 and the bottom 3?
I think the top four will be Buriram Utd, Suphanburi, Bangkok Utd and Muang Thong Utd. BBCU, Pattaya Utd and BEC Tero (if there’s any justice – I know. Please don’t write in) will go down.
Which ground are you most looking forward to visiting?
If the second leg fixtures are kind, I’d like to go to Sukhothai, as I’ve never been before. I’m also hoping to get to Nakhon Ratchasima – one of my favourite cities. Two of my favourite away trips – Chainat and Ratchaburi – are both scheduled for midweek so, unfortunately, I won’t make it to either this season. One ground I’m not looking forward to visiting is Nong Prue. I hate going there. If it wasn’t for the locally made sausage rolls, I don’t think I’d bother!
What, in general, are you most looking forward to?
Seeing some football. This close season has been one of the most bizarre I’ve ever known. It will be a relief to get back to watching 22 grown men (in some cases) kick a bag of wind around a patch of grass for ninety minutes, while another man in a yellow shirt randomly blows a whistle.
What are the expectations for your team?
The senior management probably expects us to compete for the title and win one (or both) of the cups. We’re a big club, don’tcha know. My expectations are slightly lower: a top ten finish and the promise of more entertaining football than we got last season. We’ll certainly see some goals – although I fear most of them will be at our end!
Who will be the heroes and villains in 2016?
Heroes: Those Chonburi fans who stick by the team once the realisation sets in that we are no longer genuine challengers for trophies and are merely there to make up the numbers.
Villains: Thailand’s answer to the Krankies. I'm embarrassed to say, my inner demon always rears its ugly head when Baron and Baroness Bomburst roll into town.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
Here we are, now entertain us.
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