Adam Drury's mid season review of 2008 Thai Premier League
Bangkok Bank
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:3, D:5, L:3, F:7, A:7, GD: 0, PTS: 14
Current Position: 11th
High Point: If there was a high point for the money men, then it would have to be their defence. They seem very sturdy which they appear to be year after year. They have done very well at home, but to be critical they should turn more draws into wins
Low Point: Lack of goals, if Bangkok Bank want to reach the heights of continental action again, then they will have to start put the ball in the back of the net more often.
The Season So Far: A force at home to be reckoned with, but away from home Bkk Bank seem to struggle. A lack of goals is a huge worry for the money men. A few more wins instead of draws would have put them in with a chance of glory, but at the moment, they will be more content to reach the top half of the table in a thus far disappointing campaign. Can do much better.
Bangkok University
Current Record: PLD: 12, W:4, D:3, L:5, F:9, A:9, GD: 0, PTS: 15
Current Position: 9th
High Point: Victory in the Singapore Cup first round against Albirax Niigata, flowing football on that wonder evening in Singapore, a competition the Students have loved to play in, in recent years. This form must be continued into the League after the break.
Low Point: Home record is very poor, must change that to have an upturn in the league table. Currently going from 2006 Champions, to the brink of mid table rank outsiders on a yearly basis
The Season So Far:Nine goals conceded in their opening 12 games might not be so bad, but when you only score 9 goals aswell, then the season looks almost over. To say they scored 4 goals in one match over in Singapore and only 9 in 12 other games smacks of dis-belief. Mid table should suit the Students this year. But the glory season of 2006 seems long behind them now
BEC Tero Sasana
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:7, D:3, L:1, F:21, A:8, GD: 13, PTS: 24
Current Position: 1st
High Point: Victory over title rivals Chonburi in the last match before the mid season break, certainly will help in any psychological battle. Looked impressive and scoring at will after a slow start in the first few weeks of the campaign.
Low Point: Goal post scandal, when management refused to play an away game stating the goals were too small, although nobody else seems to have a problem. Seem to be the team that wants to win the league at any cost
The Season So Far:Sitting happily at the top, possibly lucky that no one else has managed to get a foothold on the league, so BEC could claw their way back into contention after a sluggish start. Will look to run Chonburi close at the season end and could well finish on top spot, if they keep their stars happy and keep free scoring.
Chonburi FC
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:6, D:4, L:1, F:12, A:7, GD: 5, PTS: 22
Current Position: 2nd
High Point: Home victory over Melbourne Victory in the Asian Champions League and away draw against Gamba Osaka
Low Point: Failing to score on a more regular basis, turning draws into wins and Chonburi could have a 5 or 6 point lead at the moment
The Season So Far: More success in Champions League and shown their class, but failing to score in the domestic league has been their downfall, a striker is needed to keep up with free scoring BEC, should run BEC all the way to the wire, but need to score more to have a real chance and turn them tight games into victories
Chula-Sinthana
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:3, D:1, L:7, F:11, A:19, GD: -8, PTS: 10
Current Position: 14th
High Point: Back to back wins at the beginning of the season, and especially the impressive away win to Krung Thai Bank
Low Point: 5-1 defeat to title favourites BEC, simply not good enough to get thumped if you want to hang around this division
The Season So Far:First few weeks of the season, Chula looked more than capable of staying in the top flight. They had more or less a great start to the season, but come week 7, they have started to struggle, they must grind out some wins to pull clear of the relegation zone. So far, it looks likely that a return to Division One is on the cards.
Coke-Bangpra
Current Record: PLD: 12, W:3, D:6, L:3, F:10, A:9, GD: +3, PTS: 15
Current Position: 8th
High Point: Draw in the derby against big brother Chonburi and the morale boosting 1-1 draw with title favourites BEC
Low Point: Two defeats against Chula and Customs Department, if these vital games were won, they would have spread a bigger difference between them and they would be looking up the table rather than looking over their shoulders.
The Season So Far:Great first season, so far mid table, but must keep on winning and picking up points on their travels to maintain their status in this division and stay clear of a relegation battle which they could get pulled into.
Customs Department
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:2, D:2, L:7, F:6, A:12, GD: -6, PTS: 8
Current Position: 15th
High Point: A welcome start to the season beating Royal Thai Army 3-1, and then things looked good to build upon, but not quite happened.
Low Point: Seem to always get beaten by the odd goal, they battle hard, but seem to have no luck
The Season So Far: A quick return to Division One looks likely. Failed to taste victory since week 6, way back at the end of March. Must start to get points on the board to move up the table. Battled hard to beat Coke-Bangpra who have been the surprise so far, so it was a welcome 3 points. Other than that they defeated hapless Royal Thai Army, who seem doomed.
Krung Thai Bank
Current Record: PLD: 10, W:5, D:3, L:2, F:14, A:8, GD: +6, PTS: 18
Current Position: 5th
High Point: Resounding victory of Beijing in the Champions League
Low Point: Home defeat to lowly Chula-Sinthana, struggle to capitalise against weaker opposition.
The Season So Far: They know where the back of the net is, but unfortunately that counts for both ends, where goals are leaked rather to often, especially in the ACL. Can hold their own against the might of the league in BEC and Chonburi, but tend to struggle against the lesser lights. Could be a surprise title winner?
Nakhon Pathom
Current Record: PLD: 12, W:4, D:1, L:7, F:8, A:16, GD: -8, PTS: 13
Current Position: 12th
High Point: Victory of PEA, looked set to stand them in good stead for the season and keep them clear above water, but possibly getting pulled back in now.
Low Point: When they get beat, they get beat. When going a goal down, it seems that heads drop and defeat is guaranteed.
The Season So Far: Survived the drop last year by 2 points, this year will again be tight. Key battles and points against Chula and Customs Department. The winners of this little group should stay clear. Can pick up key points such as the victory against PEA, but will need more of these to stay afloat.
Osotsapa M-150
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:4, D:4, L:3, F:9, A:7, GD: +2, PTS: 16
Current Position: 7th
High Point: Defence, as tight as you may possibly see. Only seven goals conceded.
Low Point: At the opposite end of the field, attack, struggling to score, but always worth a point due to the defence
The Season So Far:Previously the cup kings and always a good bet to finish in the top 5. They will be disappointed to be 8 points behind the leaders at this stage. Can’t quite live with the big boys in Chonburi and BEC, but will be very disappointed to have lost to BKK Uni at home earlier in the season.
Port Authority
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:3, D:2, L:6, F:8, A:12, GD: -4, PTS: 11
Current Position: 13th
High Point: Is there one?? Very disappointing season.
Low Point: The whole season has been low!
The Season So Far: Starting to fight their way out of the drop zone. I’m predicting they will survive, and could pick up points against the other lower reaches of the table. Season started badly, but at least they can do a job over the Army, which was more or less psychological at that point.
Provincial Electricity Authority
Current Record: PLD: 12, W:7, D:1, L:4, F:13, A:9, GD: +4, PTS: 22
Current Position: 4th
High Point: Bar the game against BEC, their home form as been astounding with 5 victories out of 6.
Low Point: Need more of an impact upfront, they may get results, but 13 goals in 12 games will not carry them on to championship glory.
The Season So Far: A very good campaign is within their sight. They may just triumph come the end of the season. Their more or less a team that either wins or looses, but i feel they can pull off wins against the big boys and just as likely to falter against the bottom boys. Top 5 spot on their cards, but possible AFC qualification if they keep it up.
Royal Thai Army
Current Record: PLD: 10, W:0, D:2, L:8, F:5, A22, GD: -17, PTS: 2
Current Position: 16th
The Season So Far: One to forget, 2 points from 10 games and with an hectic schedule to begin with come the second half of the season. Regularly leaking goals and simply can’t find the net for love nor money. Simply put, going straight to Division One.
Any need for high or low points?
Samut Songkhram
Current Record: PLD: 11, W:4, D:4, L:3, F:16, A:11, GD: +5, PTS: 16
Current Position: 6th
High Point: Away form has been exceptional, only losing once, and even holding current leaders BEC to a 1-1 draw.
Low Point: Could have been further up the table if they had beaten the likes of former champions Bkk Uni and Nakhon Pathom in games that help keep your Premeir League status.
The Season So Far: Taken the Premier League like a duck takes to water. Currently sitting in a nose bleeding position. Should comfortably stay clear of relegation. A top half finish will certainly make the fans proud. Hopefully the province club will progress in the future and help break the Bangkok mould with Chonburi in the years to come.
Tobacco Monopoly
Current Record: PLD: 12, W:3, D:6, L:3, F:7, A:9, GD: -2, PTS: 15
Current Position: 10th
High Point: Away form will keep them up, as they seem to play tight and pick up the points
Low Point: Once again, like many clubs this season, they fail to find the net, only 7 goals scored all year. Disappointing mauling at home to Krung Thai Bank, until then, looked to have a solid defence
The Season So Far: Lack of goals to any club spells trouble. Should have enough to stay clear of relegation, but until they start scoring, trouble will always lay in their wake.
TOT FC
Current Record: PLD: 10, W:7, D:1, L:2, F:12, A:5, GD: +7, PTS: 22
Current Position: 2nd
High Point: The whole season has been a high for them, in with championship credentials and conceded the lowest so far, with only 5 conceded.
Low Point: Defeat to Coke-Bangpra, just shows if you want to win things, you need to win these matches.
The Season So Far: May well just carry off the Championship come the end of the season, an impressive start to the campaign, looked to drop off slighty but have stuck on in their. On their day, can be real title contenders.
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