A difficult one to start with. As people might know, there has been a massive rebuild at the Swatcats with 9 of the old guard moving on and a plethora of new signings. It is therefore difficult to assess the potential of the new “guard”. There appears to be real ambition at the club and this has been backed up with massive financial investment. My gut feeling, top 6.
In a previous tweet, I suggested that The Swatcats could become the new Suphanburi, dodging the relegation bullet season after season. It seems that the powers that be at the top sensed this also and have taken the bold move of completely reshaping the club.
2. How have your pre season preparations gone?
Fair to middling!! four wins out of four including an 11-0 victory.
3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures?
Opening with Buriram at home will be a real test for the revamped squad but then Prachuap followed by title contenders Muang Thong and Bangkok United, oh ‘er that’s tough!! I’d settle for 4 points.
4. What do you make of your new signings?
Looking forward to seeing how Siroch performs but Spaniard Tyronne del Pino looks tasty. As for the other 37 new signings (LOL), I cannot really comment. Although not really a new signing, I think Charlie Clough will be a real force this season.
5. And what about the players you've let go?
Of course it’s sad to see most of the crowd favourites departing but there can be no sentimentality in modern football. My own favourite Amadou Quattara will be missed and old warhorse Chalermpong will leave a real leadership void.
6. Which players will have the most impact this season?
Tyronne del Pino looks very sharp and Charlie Clough will sharpen up the defence. I think it’s all about how all the new players gel.
7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be?
Milos Joksic, he had real affection for the club.
8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners?
To the coach, maintain a supportive and well motivated dressing room. To the owners, be patient, build slowly and sustainably.
9. Which home games are you most looking forward to?
First game versus Buriram. Love to give them a good kicking!!
10. And which away games are you most looking forward to?
I always enjoy Chonburi a lot, although Chonburi apart, I will not visit any ground where away fans are stuck miles from the pitch suck behind the goal with no cover - just my little protest!!
11. What do you think of your club's new kits?
It’s orange.
12. Who are your favourites to win the league?
Buriram by a mile due to their professionalism an their undoubted strength up front.
13. Who else do you think can challenge?
I think Pathum United will be Buriram’s only real threat for the title.
14. Who is going down?
Teams coming up will tend to struggle so Lamphun and Lampang. Sukhothai should have enough experience to survive. I think Tero and Prachuap could be in the mix.
15. Which team would you most like to beat this season?
All of our Isaan neigbours - for bragging rights of course!!
16. Who will be this season's surprise package?
Of course I’m a tad biased but there seems to be real intent to fulfill the real potential here at Korat - it could however go completely tits up!!
17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?
The league will plod on with no real commitment or intent to innovate or show initiative from the top. That’s sort of OK with me but it could be soooo much better with just a few tweaks.
18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium?
Always nice to mingle with fans from all visiting teams. One of the real strengths of Thai domestic football is the friendliness demonstrated by supporters here.
19. What are your match day superstitions and routine?
I always wear my leopard skin mini tangas on matchdays!!
20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?
I hope that there will be a post covid recovery in game attendances but I do have my doubts and I would urge all footballers in the RPL to act professionally and provide fans with some decent and exciting entertainment.
Finally I hope that everyone that I have met and communicated with via twitter has a fulfilling and memorable season.
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