Muang Thong Utd fan, Rick Yap, fired some questions at me ahead of this weekend's "Super Big Match" (© the Thai media). Here are my replies:
This season is one of Chonburi's best performance in recent years. What or who do you think has contributed the most to this good run?
Sasom was given time to build the team he wanted and it is paying off. Also, the players we've signed are high quality and have all contributed to the success we've had so far this season. In a Thai league where coaches are sacked, or leave, every week, it's good to see that stability is being rewarded. All credit to the club's senior management here.
Will finishing second in the league make Chonburi's fans happy and do you think that's where you guys will be come end of the season?
I will be delighted with a second place finish and I'm sure many others agree with me. It would be a remarkable achievement and is something we should be aiming for. Is that where we'll end the season? I'd like to think so.
Chonburi beat us 5-1 away from home in the first leg do you think it will be another great win for Chonburi now that you are playing at home?
We've suffered quite a few injuries to key personnel in recent weeks and it has affected our form. If we play like we did at Prachuap last weekend there's no way we'll win 5-1. However, if all our players are fit, we should have enough to beat Muang Thong Utd. There are definitely goals in this team too. Dennis, Danilo, Amadou, Byung-Soo all pose threats to opposition defenders.
If Sasom goes missing on matchday and you get a call from Chonburi begging you to take charge for the day, where and how would you exploit Muangthong's weakness?
I hadn't really seen much of Muang Thong Utd until Sunday, but based on what I saw that day, I'd say their biggest weaknesses are the defence and their character. To throw away a three goal lead at home - when you are looking comfortable - is unforgivable. Buriram Utd applied pressure and Muang Thong Utd buckled. To come out afterwards and blame the officials spoke volumes. Therefore, I'd instruct the players to attack, and niggle them as much as possible.
Chonburi's team manager Sasit seems to have huge influence over the players do you think the influence is mostly positive or negative?
I think it's mostly positive. He does seem to be well liked and respected. However, whether he should be back in that position after the tragic events earlier in the season is a debate for another day. I know some fans have very strong feelings about this.
Sasom is the best Thai coach in the league at the moment do you think he will stay on or move on if he is being poached?
I think he'll stay. Our progress under him has been steady and he's clearly a big part of what the club is building. Unless someone comes in and offers him silly money - there aren't many Thai clubs who can afford to do that - why would he want to leave?
What do you hope to see Chonburi achieve in the next two seasons? And how should they go about doing it?
Just carry on doing what we're doing. Bringing through youth academy players and signing quality foreigners. It's working right now and - dare I say it - the future looks bright. It would be nice to win a cup or two in the next couple of seasons. And I don't think that this is out of the question.
Which Chonburi player is going to pose a real threat to Muangthong and which Muangthong player is going to be a real handful for Chonburi?
As I said earlier, our forwards are particularly dangerous. I just hope they are all fit to play. Also, Kritsada and Channarong in midfield. Two rising Thai stars and products of our academy. For Muang Thong Utd, Johana will probably cause us the most problems. He looked very impressive at the weekend.
Sasom and Mario are pretty similar with their touch line antics do you think Sasom will shake Mario's hand?
Ha ha! I'm sure he will. He might even present him with a pair of socks as a gesture of friendship. This is assuming Mario is still in charge come Sunday.
Your score prediction?
This is a tough one to call, but if both teams are at full strength, I'll go for a 4-2 home win.
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