My interview with Muang Thong Utd fan, Grant Cameron, from May, 2014.
Q - Please can you introduce yourself
My name's Grant Cameron. I’m from Scotland, age 21+. I have lived in Thailand for 23 years but despite that, my interest in Thai football only commenced in 2012 after a friend invited my son and I to a MTU match. Fortunately the stadium is nearby, and consequently my kids and I found ourselves supporting MTU. In the UK my teams are Glasgow Rangers and Liverpool.
Q - What were your expectations for Muang Thong Utd before the start of the season?
We had high hopes in 2013, which really didn't materialise, so for 2014 we hoped to finish as champions for the automatic qualification to the AFC Champions League.
Q - How satisfied are you with your performances so far?
It has to be said that performances could have been better and that 5-2 loss to Suphanburi came as a real surprise and blow.
Q - What are your expectations now?
Expectations definitely remain the same and fortunately we are still top with only goal difference separating us from leaders BEC Tero, so every game now is a must win.
Q - What went wrong under Scott Cooper?
No idea. To be honest the style of play seemed a little staid under him, and the flowing movement that seemed to have existed under Rene's teams was missing. That being said, he wasn't given enough time to establish his playing style for the team.
Q - Why did he leave?
I'd wager only he and the MTU ownership know the real reason, but it will have a lot to do with the ownership’s impatience that many Thai teams seem to suffer from, recently exemplified by the internal "promotion" of Suphanburi's Mano, which many would call a "sacking".
Q - Were you happy to see him go - or did you want him to stay?
At MTU we've seen many coaches come and go on a regular basis so his leaving was of no great impact. Many fans would like to see a period of stability, as it would allow a style of play and team development to establish and grow.
Q - Why do you think Muang Thong Utd get through so many coaches?
A solid mix of too much politics, owner meddling and impatience.
Q - What are your feelings about your current caretaker coach?
I like Pon, and would like to see him stay on until the end of the season. He seems to have been a steadying influence overall, and he sets his teams out well, the Suphanburi scoreline didn't really reflect MTU's play or form on the night. It's about time a coach has a long enough spell to make his mark, giving him time to plan long term rather than just for the next game. Same could be said for many teams.
Q - Who would you like to come in as head coach?
You mean after Pon's followed in others' footsteps? Attaphol (Bangkok Glass) is a solid coach and would be good for MTU as he knows the club well. Likely with the aspirations the club has it would aim for a foreigner. In which case there are some UK managers looking for a job who might be enticed East: Billy Davies and Alex McLeish are a couple that spring to mind. I hear also David Moyes is available.
Q - Do Muang Thong Utd fans still consider this to be their biggest game of
the season and what sort of atmosphere can we expect on Saturday?
It's a big game for sure, and the atmosphere will be electric, but friendly. With Chonburi just one point behind this is a must win match for both teams, so I'm sure both sets of fans will enjoy the tension of the game. It should prove to be an exciting match. If Buriram Utd have the resurgence that Newin recently promised, the biggest game could be when they come to the SCG ground in the second half of the season.
Q - What tactics do you think Muang Thong Utd will need to employ on Saturday?
After a few quiet words with Kh. Pon after Monday's friendly against Myanmar, I don't wish to reveal our plans for Saturday - you're too good a side to play our cards early!
Q - Do you think the recent defeat against Suphanburi will affect the way Muang Thong Utd approach the game on Saturday?
In a word, no. Although I think it was apparent that it did affect how they set out their stall at the Buriram Utd game, where clearly they played for a draw and were very lucky indeed to have achieved it.
Q - Which Muang Thong Utd players do we need to look out for?
I think Boothroyd is out (cards) so Teerasil and Dangno of course, if returned from injury. Mario is obviously a danger to the Sharks.
Q - What are your impressions of Chonburi this season?
The Blue Blood have a lot to be happy about this season, the team seems to be playing and scoring well. After a cautious start I can see both teams playing open attacking football - let's hope so.
Q - Which players will you be most wary of on Saturday?
Your top scorer, Cunha, of course. (Sadly for us, he’s out injured – ed)
Q - What are you expecting from Saturday's match?
I'd like to see attacking football, good movement off the ball, and a win for the Kirins.
Q - Would you care to make a score prediction?
The match will be close, and as we seem to let in (more than) a few, I'll predict a 3-2 win for MTU.
Q - Anything else you'd like to add?
I'm very pleased to see the growth in the support of Thai football especially amongst foreign fans, and the increasing competitiveness of all teams. Really looking forward to the next few years when we can hope to see Thai teams regularly competing in the final stages of the Champions League.
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