Here's Muang Thong Utd fan, Grant Aitken, with his views on his team's first leg performance.
Given that we were top 4 last year, I’m disappointed with the fact that we’ve seemingly gone backward. 3 league wins from 15 matches simply aren’t good enough.
Q - What has been the highlight of your season so far?
Slim pickings, so I’d have to opt for Mario’s “Last Dance”. He got the response he needed from the players with an emphatic 5-0 win over Prachuap. There was palpable relief, and it was nice that the fans and head coach could share the moment in unison. Since then we’ve lost once in 6 matches, although 3 of those were draws, which indicates we’re still not hitting our potential.
Q - And the low point?
The 5-1 home defeat against a certain seaside club stung a little.
Q - Apart from your own, which is the best team you've seen so far this season?
I’ve not really watched other teams, if I’ve little vested interest in the outcome then I struggle to engage. It’s a little bit different when your team is in a title race, for example. I’d rather watch Muangthong’s youth teams or one of the T2/T3 sides that have a few of our lads on loan. With that being said, the best teams I’ve seen would be the sides that we came up short against. Ratchaburi, Tero, and Chiang Rai were all worthy victors in matches that I’d hoped to get something out of, but Chonburi were the cream of the crop as they put us to the sword on our own turf.
Q – And the worst?
Lamphun Warriors were pretty dreadful, aside from the aforementioned Prachaup game. I back Gama to turn around the Northerners’ fortunes, however. Dusit is a pretty limited coach, in my opinion, I think they’ll still struggle despite the big-name recruits.
Q - What are your hopes for the rest of the season for
a) your club?
I’d hope to see us string a couple of wins together and climb into the safety of the mid-table region. We’ve made some positive signings so I don’t see why that wouldn’t be a realistic target. Then, it is a matter of focusing on the cups and preparing for the next season. I’d be quite happy if we had nothing to play for with several fixtures remaining so we can prioritise giving game time to some of the young guns like Ronan Pluijmen, Kakana Khamyok, Purachet Thodsanit and Khanaphod Kadee. The previous 2 U18 Youth League winning sides haven’t quite delivered to expectations, so I’d like to see us build with the next players in line instead. Our U18s were magnificent in the ‘Channel 7 Championship’ and probably deserved to add to our victory in 2016. We need to clear a path for some of those boys to come through as well.
b) the league in general?
I hope the fans find a way to stay invested, but this season seems to be a write-off already. Hopefully, they can rebuild and rebrand for next year, although given the repeated mishandling from those in charge, I’m doubtful. I didn’t think TRUE did an amazing job with the TV coverage but at least it was reliable and accessible, with TRUE4U showing a couple of matches free each week. That was a deal brokered before the current president of the FA had begun his reign, however.
Q - Please sum up your season so far with song lyrics or by song title
How about “It’s Now or Never” by Elvis Presley.
I feel like the board has played its part during the transfer window with some shred moves recruiting proven talent, and not to mention opening the door for Rajevac to lend his expertise. That leaves little in the way of excuses for Mario now that he has some extra firepower and support. We must do better and have a good run in the cups to redeem the season and set the foundations for next year’s campaign.
Q – Anything else you’d like to add?
The FA needs to have a good, long hard think before the elections for the next FA President next year. I’m not sure they can survive another extended tenure summarised by ineffectiveness and mistrust. Gathering a group of heavy hitters from T1 clubs will only heighten grievances from rival clubs and fans, whether they be real or imagined. We need transparency, organisation, passion and most of all independence from football club owners and any agendas they may be concealing. If they don’t entice candidates deemed desirable to fans, then I see no way back for the league but an unavoidable and irreversible decline in all areas of our domestic game.
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