Q - Please can you introduce yourself
My name's Dominick I'm from London. I Teach English at Technic Krungthep, a large Technical University in the Sathorn area of Bangkok.
Q - How would you sum up your season so far?
We started brilliantly great energy in the home games, top or joint top of the league for a few weeks, unfortunately a couple of away defeats have let us down lately.
Q - What were your expectations before the season started?
Just being promoted I think most Port fans were wondering how many points it would take to stay up in the TPL this year, especially with five going down at the end of this season. Before kick off on the first day I think most of us were thinking this year is all about survival.
Q - What are your expectations for the rest of the season?
Difficult to say this Saturday's game will tell us a lot about how well we can play without our key playmaker, Leandro is out injured for 4- 6months (don't all cheer at once). We have a lot of tough sides coming up in the next 10 games. Joint General Manager Mor. Song has put staying in the top five at the mid way point as a target I'd be very happy with that. After going top fan expectations have sky rocketed, but I think staying in the top ten and having a good FA Cup run would be fine for our first season back in the TPL.
Q - What are your thoughts on your current coach?
Dusit got the team promoted in his first season you can't ask for much more than that. He has completely overhauled the team again this year, Leandro, Kiatjareon and Kroekrit are the only players getting regular starts from last year's team. Always seems odd to me but it's pretty common for some TPL clubs to change 70% of their starting players every year. He's brought in Chanin the Thai Under 23 goal keeper, built a solid back four and picked up Saruta a handy Japanese right winger from Bangkok Glass . I think he made a real effort to get good Japanese and Korean players so he didn't have to chop and change with the 3 foreigners + 1 Non Thai Asian rule.
Q - Which players have impressed you this season?
Obviously Leandro being the joint top goal scorer excellent skills on the ball, great free kicks and he always worries the opposition, it's just like watching Brazil. Lee Sang Ho the Korean central defender has done really well this year coming into a new team he is now marshaling the defence like he's been there for years. He was one of the major reasons we held on for the win against Buriram, he was everywhere in that game. Warut and Kroekrit have also impressed, good all round performances from all the players fingers crossed it continues.
Q - Which players have failed to live up to expectations this season?
Thierry Fidjeu and Ju Sung Hwan need to get goals Ju has 1 in 10 games Thierry yet to score. Kim Geun Chol looked good but broke his arm early in the season not his fault at all but really disappointed he didn't get a chance show us how good he can be. Leandro when he's taking corners I don't know why he is still taking them, he'd be much better off in the box.
Q - With your leading scorer and our leading scorer both out injured, what are your expectations for Saturday's match?
I think a lot of fans will be going into this game thinking where are the goals coming from without Leandro/Thiago. I'm not expecting too much from the game this weekend a cagey start and one side going 1-0 up and the other side chasing the game. I'd be happy with 1 point this Saturday.
In terms of the nice atmosphere my expectations couldn't be higher. I've been to see Chonburi before and it's great that the two clubs have such a strong friendship it really adds a family atmosphere to the games. Some Chonburi fans were at TOT just before Songkran unfortunately they only got to see our first loss of the season.
Q - What is the best thing about matchday at PAT Stadium?
The PAT atmosphere, being right there next to the pitch, the drums, the singing, the noise, back on the terraces you can't beat it.
Q - And the worst?
The netting in front of Zone B, obscures our view and makes you feel a bit caged up (no comments necessary).
Q - What is the best thing about being a Port fan?
It's like being part of a new family. The best thing right now? We have gone 19 games unbeaten at home the Supanburi and Buriram games were packed out two of the best crowds I've ever seen at the PAT Stadium.
Q - And the worst?
The club still having a dubious reputation, some of my Thai friends who don't watch football hear "Thai Port" and just think I must be out tearing up seats and shooting referees of a weekend. I like the new name not too keen on the new badge, the previous one was much better.
Q - Which song would you like your team to run out to?
Thai Song? "This is Klong Toei" By Bad DNA. A song written for Port F.C. about the club and the local area, it even has a few lines in English in there for good measure. Heavy guitars and a singer who sounds like he's on his forth pack of cigs and third bottle of whiskey that day.
Q - What are your impressions of the TPL so far this season?
Buriram losing, Port winning the world's gone crazy. Now Buriram have exited the Champions League and immediately gone out and bought a Venezuelan player just to make themselves feel better I think we can expect to see them making a surge up the table. If BEC manage to get Cleiton back I think they will mount a serious challenge too. Of course Muangthong are on top and looking good. It would be good to see someone other than Buriram or Muangthong winning some silverwear this year.
Q - Which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
I'd say of the teams we've played so far Buriram are having a poor season and their minds were on the Champions League. Police did beat us by 3 but were massively helped by one of our players getting sent off. Chainat did well against us, they did their homework cancelled out the key threats and that game had draw written all over it till Watchara popped up and surprised everyone with a long range screamer at the death. They are a strong side that could do well with a bit more firepower upfront.
Q - Who is the best TPL player you've seen this season?
Can I say Leandro? joint top goal scorer, TPL player of the month in my entirely unbiased opinion the best.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi this season?
I was talking to a Chonburi fan who was a bit disappointed with Chonburi's start, exiting the AFC Champions League and being 5th in the TPL. It's all about expectations I guess. You've only lost once in ten games a lot of teams wouldn't see that as a disappointing start, cheer up you could be out of the Champions League and in 12th.
Q - Which Chonburi players have impressed you this season?
Thiago of course because of the goals a natural goal scorer with power and pace. The kind of player every TPL fan wants to see in their team I can see him getting a lot more this season when he comes back. Dos Santos does a lot too, works hard always aware of what needs to be done. I know Pipob is getting on a bit but I still think having a player that can really galvanise the whole team is a great asset 200+ caps a Chonburi Legend.
Q - Would you care to make a score prediction?
I've just read Kiatjaroen is out on four yellows and I forgot Saruta is out because of his red card last week. And Chanin and Kroekirt are on loan from Chonburi they wont be playing; I thought they might still play depending on the loan deal. Therefore, my prediction is...I really hope it's a draw.
Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
It's been raining here this morning, fingers crossed it doesn't rain on Saturday. Looking forward to some cheap beers and great football on Saturday. One last thing 8.00 p.m. is a too late for a kick off, 6.00p.m. is fine the more games clash with the games back home crowds will drop. TPL are shooting themselves in the foot with the 8.00 p.m. kick offs.
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