Same Same But Very Different by Tim Banks: 2016

Same Same But Very Different 
by Tim Banks
22nd August, 2016

Having just spent two weeks in England and managing to get to ten games, I thought I would put pen to paper to compare the many various Non League matches I attended to our beloved PLT.

I watched only non league matches from the top of the pyramid at National Conference level, Aldershot, all the way down to Combined Counties level at Step 5 and Windsor F.C. (pictured). And, on the first Saturday in August, I also watched that level’s efforts in the extra preliminary round of the F.A Cup, as 736 teams started aiming for Wembley next May. I believe it's fourteen  matches to go for those teams, but that certainly did not diminish their efforts. I will not go into actual detail of every match I attended, but will outline the general differences from our own fare here in the "Land of Smiles".

Firstly, the noise on the field throughout the matches in the pyramid was noticeable at all levels, compared to the relative quiet of a PLT fixture. With instructions such as “help”, “time”, “man on”, etc being shouted throughout the games.

Throw ins became tactical weapons and were precise. Most players could manipulate the ball to spin it down the line or inside, to make it an attacking option by the use of their fingers. In addition, the long throw toward the corner was regularly in play. Putting the ball into play was therefore not a lottery and most sides had a number of set moves to ensure that the ball went to feet, whilst creating space and taking opponents away from the congested area. I did not see one foul throw throughout my visit, whereas I saw four or five on Saturday evening in one PLT game alone, albeit not one was whistled for.

The webmaster would have loved my first match in the National Conference South, when the visitors’ goalkeeper was clattered at the first corner, after a couple of minutes (you're right, I would! - ed). He was then constantly bombarded in the opening twenty minutes, with a physicality completely lacking in the PLT. This was apparent throughout all the games I attended and the tackling was fully committed and quite a shock to witness first hand after years of watching Thai league games.

No huddles. Enough said!

No feigning injuries. When players stayed down, it was for a reason, as tackling was as we remember it - hard but usually fair.

There was a running dialogue of instructions, encouragement etc from the dug outs and a key role in all the tactics throughout the match, was driven from the bench.

Corners and free kicks were primarily driven hard and firm, and were pre-rehearsed. There were definitely no looping rugby style lottery kicks, as with one of our Chonburi favourites (He means Nurul - ed).

Even at the Step 5 level, with players only earning expenses, the levels of fitness were impressive, and on the first Saturday, temperatures reached 30 degrees. Standards were very good, considering these were the first matches of the season.

Goalkeepers were strong,brave and noisy, with nearly a non stop dialogue with their back line.

Players often played the way that they were facing and at the lower levels, concentrated on what they could achieve. Leaving the killer 60 yard 50/50 pass in their locker, as even at these levels "possession was king".

The standard of referees throughout the Pyramid was head and shoulders above the PLT, and it would be an insult to even compare them.

Pitches, even at the lowest level, were very good and allowed the ball to be driven and dribbled with confidence. They certainly showed up many of the so called PLT professional teams’ playing surfaces and many were bowed from the centre circle, to enable drainage.

Attitude was key, and all the teams throughout the Pyramid showed an overall commitment that we very seldom see here in the PLT.

As Peter Reeves so often writes, the PLT as a professional league leaves much to be desired and I just wanted to support him 100%. Having seen many and various non league games on my visit home, I would fully concur with his observations.

If the Chonburi squad had the opportunity of watching these non league teams as I did, they would surely "hang their heads in shame " because professionals they are not, with their various antics, play acting, general standards of professionalism and level of skills. Whereas players so far down the non league pyramid to be nearly classed as amateurs (one team actually still pay subs to play) showed the division in commitment, effort and ability is very marked. It was also refreshing to see 90 minutes of nearly uninterrupted play.

As Peter Reeves often says, it's obviously difficult to compare levels, but at best, the standard we are served with in the PLT, is roughly the same as the mid non league level.

To conclude, it’s not that the PLT teams and players are not as good as elsewhere, as it’s so difficult to compare like for like, but surely the issues are that they believe they are and seem unable or unwilling to work any harder to improve and become better "professionals". Whether it is the coaching or their ability that is the issue, is a tough one to answer.

For example, teams do not play a high line often and the match gets stretched, sometimes from penalty area to penalty area, drawing comparisons with school football, which are often warranted. Is this down to the players or the way they are coached? Not once did I see the pitch stretched in the UK, whereas the opposite was standard and the pitch was always compacted and everything made much more difficult.

So, will potential here be fulfilled?

As has been discussed for many years, the PLT must do better overall in many facets of the game. But first, players must acknowledge that they have a lot to learn in terms of skills, tactics and overall professionalism. If they understand that, they may make progress and Thai football will perhaps improve,  but not until that is a given. And the jury is still out on that!!