Samut Prakan City fan, Phil Williams kicks off our series of season previews.
Compared to the last two seasons and a couple of 6th place finishes, I'm predicting a season of relative struggle with games played out in front of dwindling home attendances. I wish I could be more optimistic than that.
How do you think the lack of a regular pre season will affect your early performances?
I dread to think because it feels like we have a completely new starting XI compared to last season and new arrivals just haven't had time to get to know each other's game. That said, all the premier league teams are in the same boat.
What are your thoughts on the plan for the way the season will start?
I'm amazed the season is getting started so I can only applaud the Thai FA's plan. They've done their best.
How long do you think it will be before things can return to "normal"?
I don't see this happening until January next year at the earliest. I just feel Thailand is too obssessed with low infection numbers, regardless of what percentage of the population have been jabbed.
Once fans are allowed back in, which home games are you most looking forward to?
Any game that gets us three points.
And which away games are you most looking forward to?
I was looking forward to Nongbua's pink stadium most of all but sadly, that isn't going to happen, so next on the list would be away to newly promoted Khon Kaen Utd.
How do you plan to follow the matches you're not allowed to attend?
I've put a scatter cushion on the floor behind the sofa and I'll watch the TV from there.
What are your thoughts on your team's opening fixtures?
Another tough start. We don't get much out of Chiang Rai or Bangkok United but hopefully there might be points against either Nongbua or Police Tero. Please let there be points against Nongbua or Police Tero.
What do you make of your new signings?
In general, underwhelming. Chaiyawat from Chiang Rai was a decent signing and I'm keeping fingers crossed that the big man Eliandro does well following his move from Chonburi but the rest of the signings - not to sound too harsh - have been second division, on loan journeymen. We just haven't signed like for like in terms of the players we've let go.
And what about the players you've let go?
I don't know where to start. It's been horrible to watch the team we love get so brutally dismantled. It's felt a bit like Man United getting rid of Best, Law and Charlton at their peak of their careers. We've lost our goalscoring talisman (Tardelli) Our two best defenders (Jakkapan and Ernesto) The club captain and heartbeat of the team (Peeradol) and now crowd favourite, Teerapol Yoyei has buggered off to Port. And of course star man, Jaroensak, won't be around too much longer either.
Which players will have the most impact this season?
There's an awful lot resting on the broad shoulders of Eliandro. He's going to need to get us 15-20 goals I feel.
If you could re-sign one of your club's former players, at the peak of his powers, who would it be and why?
I'd have Peeradol back. I still can't imagine a Samut Prakan team without him in the line-up.
If you could give your head coach one piece of advice, what would it be?
Not so much advice but you promised the fans you would stay for one more season and that's exactly what you've done. If the board haven't supported you in the transfer market, then that's not your fault. We'll get behind you this season wherever the club finishes. We know you will do your best.
Which team would you most like to beat this season and why?
I always enjoy beating Port of course but as I said earlier, I'll take three points against anybody.
What do you think of your club's new kits?
Blue and white hoops? What's not to love. Now it's just a question of when they become available. Merchandising is definitely not our strong point.
What song would you choose for your team's run out music on match days?
At the moment, probably some dark track from an early Cure album.
Who are your favourites to win the league?
Clubs wi' money so Port, Buriram or BG Pathum. Take your pick.
Who else do you think can challenge?
I don't think any other team comes close to those three mentioned. Everyone else is just making up the numbers.
Who is going down and why?
I don't care as long as there are three teams that finish below Samut Prakan and it may well come down to that.
Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I haven't come across as very optimistic and I think that's understandable - but perhaps this set of players can surprise us. It's going to be a season of consolidation and rebuilding and I predict a bumpy ride. I'll just be happy to still be in the top flight come next season. I'm not setting my sights any higher than that.
No comments:
Post a Comment