BG Pathum Utd fan, Obb, sent me a few questions ahead of today's match. Here are my responses.
Lately, appointing ex-players as first-team head coach seems to be a trend in Thai football, do you think Chonburi FC made the right decision to appoint Adul Lahsoh?
In the short term, yes. It probably was the right thing to do. It was obvious that Sasom had run his course and was struggling to get any kind of performance from the team. We needed to try and change things before it got even worse. Bringing in Adul before the end of the season was a good move. He's still loved at the club - so it appeased the fans - and it gave him the opportunity to test himself coaching in the top flight. It also gave the bosses the chance to see what he was made of. I think the three results we've had so far under his control have been what we expected. If he can go out on Friday and avoid defeat, his appointment can be considered a success. However, I don't believe that he's the long term answer and I don't think the club management do either. Still, it's been wonderful to have him back at Chonburi - whatever happens next.
Former-BGPU head coach Makoto Teguramori is heavily linked with Chonburi FC job, what are your thoughts on potentially having him as your new head coach next season?
His overall record isn't that impressive, but he did a great job at BG when he was there a couple of years ago. He clearly knows, and understands what is required in, the Thai league and - if it happens - this could be quite an exciting appointment. He'll need to get the best out of the young players we currently have in the squad, as we don't have the money to throw around on salaries and transfer fees. The management are obviously looking for someone who can bring on the youngsters who have come through the academy. I just hope that he is aware of this and understands that his hands will be tied as regards signings.
What are your overall opinions of your foreign players this season? Name one foreign player you want to keep for the next season.
It's been a bit of a mixed bag. One or two have disappointed and a couple have impressed. Danilo set off like a house on fire. He was top of the goal scoring charts for a large chunk of the season and banging them in (at the right end!) for fun. But, like the rest of the squad, he struggled during a very difficult second leg; the reasons for which still baffle me?? I have no explanation for why we dropped away so suddenly and so spectacularly. As Toyah once said; it's a mystery! As for the others, I'm not really sure they've done that well. Byung-soo has been steady over the course of the year and weighed in with the odd crucial goal. However, if I'm being honest, I don't think any of them will be here next year. Partly as a result of cost cutting and partly because they haven't really done enough to warrant keeping. On the plus side, it has been great having Denis back from injury. I think if any of the foreign players were to be kept, he'd be at the top of the list.
This has been a great season for Chonburi FC's youngsters - who impressed you the most? Who you do expect to do well next season?
As we are having to put faith in our young players, it's good to see so many coming through and claiming a regular first team place. Kritsada, Chatmongkol, Channarong and Sittichok have all made an impression in the last couple of seasons and they do seem to be getting better. We need to make sure that they are well looked after and coached properly during the next crucial stage of their development. It could be difficult for them being thrust into the spotlight next season, when they'll be among the more experienced players in the squad, and expected to perform consistently. Hopefully, the senior management, and new head coach - whoever it might be - will know how to handle them, so they don't burn out and can carry on improving.
In hindsight, and from a Chonburi FC fan, do you think selling Worachit for big fee to BGPU was a great business move?
Worachit was a bit of an enigma at Chonburi. In his early days, he was such an exciting raw talent and it appeared we had unearthed something special. Then he went off the boil for a long period and it looked like he was yet another one who had promised so much but delivered so little. However, during the latter part of his time at Chonburi, he rediscovered his mojo and started to perform to his potential. So, of course, what do we is sell him to a rival club. It was a baffling decision by the management and it's come back to haunt us. Big time. I'd love to still have him at Chonburi now he's grown into the player we saw flashes of in his younger days and knowing that he will continue to improve. Whether it was a good business move is open to debate, as I don't know what we've done with the money. It's probably just been used to keep us ticking over.
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