Interview With A Phuket FC Fan: 2014

My interview with Phuket FC fan, Richard, ahead of a pre season friendly in January, 2014.

Q - Please can you start by introducing yourself

Hi my name is Richard, I am 39 years old and I am from Wolverhampton, England. I have been living in Rawai,Phuket for over 12 years and I have my own building business: www.propertyforsalephuket.co.th.

 

Q - How long have you been supporting Phuket FC? 

I have been supporting Phuket FC for the last 3 seasons and this new season will be my 4th.

 

Q - What first got you interested in following Phuket FC? 

I am a big football fan and wanted to support a local team. I enjoyed my first visit to a Phuket game so much that I have been going ever since to home and away games.

 

Q - Please can you tell us a little about your fan group. 

We are a Rawai based fan club but we have now grown and spread all across the world with "Mushy Peas" now on all continents. It was started by James Lakin aka 'Shaggy", and began with just the two of us but has now grown to over 500 members.

 

Q - How did Phuket perform last season? 

The season started well and we had some good luck but then it all went horribly wrong and our form was terrible for the 2nd half of the season.

 

Q - Overall, were you satisfied with the performances last season?

It was a very disappointing season for everybody who cared about the club. Too many of our players did not show any heart or any passion. The foreign players that we had were either unfit or thought they were superstars but really they were not very good, apart from Geoffry Doumeng who had been at Chonburi FC. He was a good footballer but was not fit enough.

 

Q - What signings have the club made during the close season? 

The coach has gone out and signed players who he knows and hopefully can rely on. We now have a huge central defender who should win most balls in the air in both boxes. We have a fast young winger coming into the squad and now hopefully we have signed another creative midfielder who hopefully will create chances and goals.

 

Q - How do you think these signings will affect the team? 

The coach has bought many new players into the club, which could take a long time to build a team spirit. However, he has worked with a few of these players before and they will know how he expects to play the game. Our foreign players are all Brazilian so this should also help with communication between them and the coach too.

 

Q - What are your opinions on Teco, Phuket's coach? 

He has experience in Thailand and also has a knowledge of the players so I very much hope he will use that knowledge to take us to the TPL.

 

Q - What are your expectations for next season?

Promotion to the TPL. It could be tough, with teams such as Nakon Ratchasima, Pattaya Utd, Bangkok Utd also expecting promotion.

 

Q - How have Phuket been shaping up during pre season friendlies? 

We have won our three practice matches so far and there have been signs of improvement in different positions that have encouraged us fans. We look strong when we put our best 11 players on the field.

 

Q - How have the club been promoting Saturday's match? 

The club have very visibly promoted this match via facebook, banners and posters. I think the club is very proud that Chonburi have chosen Phuket and our club to use as a warm up base with such an important game for them in the ACL coming up.

 

Q - Will the club be taking Saturday's friendly seriously? 

I think the club, the fans and the players will be taking the game very seriously, as we all want to test ourselves against the best teams in the country. We want to know how good are we and how well we can expect to do in Division 1.

 

Q - Will the fans be taking it seriously? 

The fans will take it very seriously, as Chonburi are a big club with many fans in Phuket also supporting Chonburi in the TPL. 

 

Q - What are you expecting from Saturday's friendly? 

I am expecting Phuket FC to try very,very hard and play with a lot of determination. However, class will show through in the end and if we can gain confidence in ourselves by drawing or at least having a good performance, we will all be happy.

 

Q - Which of your players should we look out for? 

Our central defender Tales, at set pieces. Our new young speedy winger Bell, and our new Brazilian import in Midfield, Eber.

 

Q - What do you know about Chonburi FC? 

I have been to Chonburi Stadium for a big match against Muang Thong Utd and it is an impressive stadium that was full on that ocassion with a very vocal and passionate support. Chonburi FC looks like a very well organised and professional club.

 

Q - Which Chonburi players do you think you need to look out for? 

I like Therdsak as a player, as he plays good football, and also another player I know about is your captain, Pibob.

 

Q - Pre season friendlies: Are they are guide to the season ahead? Discuss 

Friendlies can be a great success if used correctly by playing against better players and to test our team. Also for Chonburi to play against a hungry determined team, that will help their players with their fitness, with such an important AFC CL game coming up.

 

Q - Anything else you'd like to add? 

My girlfiend is from Ban Bung , Chonburi and is a big supporter of Chonburi FC, so I hope Phuket do not lose too heavily or I will never hear the end of her joking.

New! Interview With An Opposition Fan (Port): 2023

Here's my pre match interview with Port fan, James.

Please can you introduce yourself 

Hi, I'm James, currently residing in Australia, though I’ve lived all across Asia in the past. Hoping to return to Thailand in the near future, but in what capacity… I'm not sure yet. At the moment I'm working in the wine industry, but as a licensed coach, I'm hoping to (at some stage) break into the football industry in a full-time role.

How long have you been following Port? 

Since 2016. I travelled to Thailand to meet up with a good friend of mine, who’d played in the league system, and he took me to a few games. I went to Air Force (Thupatemi), Bangkok United (Thammasat), and Port (PAT) on my first trip. From the moment I stepped into PAT: I was hooked. They played Ang Thong that day, with a few of the Ang Thong lads being former teammates of his, so we caught up with them post-game. The next time I ventured to Thailand, I already knew how to get to PAT Stadium from my hotel, and from then on… that was it.

What are some of the things that you like about supporting them? 

A football specific (and size appropriate stadium), as well as the friendly contingent of expat fans, which (for me) makes the matchday experience that little bit better. When you’re at PAT, it almost feels as if you’re hovering just above the players on the pitch at times, and it can (quite easily) be one of the most hostile atmospheres in the Thai pyramid when we play certain clubs.

What have been the highlights of your time supporting Port? 

Honestly: the friends I've made. There have been some unreal matchday experiences along the way (the cup game in 2019, at home to Chiangrai stands out immediately), but it’s the ability to go to PAT on a matchday, have a few beers with mates, and just talk about what we’ve watched. It’s tough to stay awake for games due to the time difference at the moment, but at least I’ll get a highlights package to watch at the minimum.

And the low points?

The many false dawns. The numerous sackings of head coaches, the numerous re-hirings (and re-sackings) of coaches, and so on. There's no doubt that it’s a circus at times… but it’s our circus. The club should be doing a lot better than it does (in my opinion) when you consider the money we’re (rumoured) to spend on the squad, etc. Money doesn’t equal success though, and that’s something that club management fails to understand.

What are your opinions on how the team has performed this season? 

It’s been dysfunctional, as always, but what Port season isn't? The Scott Cooper era didn’t exactly set the world alight immediately, but it was (in my opinion) clear to see that he had the players grafting, which is something that we hadn’t seen under previous head coaches. Too many draws, that should’ve been wins, were his undoing, and the only question that I really had of him during his spell with us were his game management. It is what it is though, and he duly departed.

For me, things went from ‘okay’ to ‘bad’ under Matthew Holland, and I took a bit of a step back during this time.

Things have definitely improved whilst under the duo of Choke and Surapong, which I'm pleasantly surprised by. I really expected things to go from ‘bad’ to ‘worse’ under them, but the revival of sorts that they’ve led has been great to see. To get an away win at Buriram was a good result for the club, but it’s imperative that we build from it. 

How does this year compare with previous seasons? 

It’s been just as dysfunctional as every season I've followed the club, so ‘much of the same’ is probably the fairest response.

What are your hopes, and what would you like to see happen during the close season? 

Stability. There are players at the club (eg. Dolah) that need a multi-year contract extension sorted ASAP, whilst there are players that we need to say “thanks for everything, but it’s time for us to part way.” Sergio Suarez and David Rochela have already announced they’ll be departing, which signals a real ‘changing of the old guard’ so to speak. It’s crucial to replace them with players that are better, rather than just a shiny toy that’ll look nice on the bench.

On top of their departures, there's at least half a dozen Thai lads that we should be letting go, as their contributions to the club just haven’t been enough to justify keeping them around. That said, I'm sure they’ve done wonders in terms of a marketing sense.

What your expectations for next year?

It’d be nice to mount a proper title charge, but the reality is… we’re not a club that’s run in a ‘normal’ sense, so it’s wise to go into a season with minimal expectations, and just hope for the best. It’d be great to make a cup final if possible, but it all depends on the moves we make during the off-season.

Please can share your opinions on Madam Pang 

I've got to be careful with what I say, in order to not get into any real trouble! 

Look, Pang’s a polarizing figure, and for obvious reasons. I appreciate the money that she's invested, and that she pays the bills on time, but that’s about it. It’s a bit humorous the level of ‘hate’ that she gets from opposition fans to be honest, especially when there are owners of other clubs that do very similar things to her in terms of self-publicity, but that’s Thai football at the end of the day. My advice is quite simple: take a step back. We all know that this advice would immediately be dismissed! 

I've always thought it better to ‘give a coach enough rope to hang himself’, so that when he is (inevitably) dismissed from his position… it’s justified. To handcuff someone by demanding certain team selections, and then punishing them when it fails… it’s mind boggling to say the least.

What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season? 

It’s been quite a rollercoaster of a season for Chonburi. I wasn’t that impressed (initially) when you signed Danilo, but it’s a signing that’s worked out quite well for the club. I'm a big fan of Amadou Ouattara, and Dennis can be a clinical striker too, but the rest of your import lads… they leave a little to be desired. Maybe I'm being harsh though!

The performance in the first-leg was impressive, but then certain things happened off-field (which I won’t go into), and then things fell apart on-field with the performances throughout the second-leg. The shift in performance (results-wise) from first-leg to second-leg for Chonburi is something that we see almost every season from at least one club, and it’s usually a fate that we suffer at Port.

Which of our players are you most wary of? 

I really rate Kritsada for obvious reasons, but it’s the young core (Songchai, Chatmongkol, and  Channarong) that should have the Chonburi fans excited. Fortunately for us, the young trio are all unavailable!

We’ll have to keep an eye on Kritsada, and try not to give him too much time on the ball. Amadou has the potential to tear his fullback to shreds if we allow him to get to top speed, whilst I can’t help but feel that Sumanya will pop up with something special if he features.

Which of your players will pose us the biggest threat? 

Hamilton and Worachit are the two danger men that should feature, whilst Suphanan and Negueba can also be major headaches for opposition defenders. Hamilton can score any type of goal, and he’s just a really awkward striker to mark it seems. You know Worachit’s qualities, so I won’t bother going in-depth, but he's surpassed my expectations since he arrived. Suphanan’s pace makes him unplayable at times, whilst Negueba is (in my opinion) quite underrated. I’ll admit I was a bit negative when he was signed, but he's a well-rounded player, and I'm more confident when he's in the XI.

What are your expectations for Sunday's match? 

I'm just hoping for 3-points to be honest. How we get them? Doesn’t worry me at all! It’s always a tough game against Chonburi (you’ve won the last 3?), so the players just need to show up ready to work.

Would you care to make a score prediction? 

2-1 to Port, though I’d happily take a mental game that ends 5-4!

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I think we've covered everything, but best of luck on Sunday!

New! Interview With An Opposition Fan (Nakhon Ratchasima): 2023

Here is my pre match interview with Swat Cat fan, Hakao.

Please can you introduce yourself?                                                           

My name is Hakao. I am a Thai fan of Nakhon Ratchasima FC.

Overall, how satisfied are you with your team's performance this season? 

Unlike other Thai fans in the FB group (it's normal for Thai fans to want entertaining football), I think we were looking decent for the first 8 matches. I have no complaints about the defensive tactic that Kevin used. We were still scoring goals and gaining points. However, it went downhill around matchday10. I wanted to end the season there. We had no clue how to play the counter attack quickly (even where to move/pass or when to dribble/shoot/pass or how to keep the ball ). Our team play was horrible and defensive mistake cost us so many games. It was painful to watch, like the 2017 season; I was glad then that there were worse teams than us or we would have been relegated. 

What are your hopes for the future of the club? 

My hope for the club is to challenge for the FA Cup again and stay in this league. Also, I would like to see Worawi Makudi leave as chairman. 

Which is the best team you've seen this season? 

My answer is the same as previous years, Buriram Utd. I think the Thunder Castle are always everyone's favourites to win the league. Their transition play, combination play, team play and 1v1 play are always good.

And the worst? 

Lampang. Their squad and coach are still clearly T2 standard. How did they get promoted?!

What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season?

They were quite solid until mid season, but their defence isn’t looking good now; 25 goals conceded in 12 games, that’s over 2 goals per match. However, Chanin is now back from injury. For me, Ouattara is considered the flop of the season.

What are your expectations for Saturday's match?

I expect a draw. If we lose, it means we are in real danger of being relegated. It’s that simple.

Which of our players are you most wary of?

Yoo Byung-soo, for being the super sub. He’s the player who can change the result of a game.

Which of your players do we need to watch out for?

Saharat Kanyaroj for me. He’s similar to Frenkie de Jong, who drops deep and drives the ball forward. He's good in 1v1 situations and can transition from defence to attack, passing the ball to link up with Siroch, Tyronne, and Jordan in attack.

Would you like to make a score prediction?

1-1 (Danilo and Clough to score).

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

I would like to add that there's little interest in Thai football from local fans. Most of them are EPL fans. There are lots of Thai people on Twitter - mainly for politics, KPop and Japanese related things. But I also discovered a Thai football community - which also has a lot of foreigners in it. So, I wanted to start a Swat Cat account - in addition to my personal account - to promote my favourite team..

New! Interview With A Ratchaburi Fan: 2023

Here's my pre match interview with Ratchaburi fan, John Oliver.

What are your thoughts on how you have performed so far this season? 

Leg 1 was absolutely fantastic with only Buriram and Sukhothai able to steal the honours from us.  We don’t want to mention Leg 2.

But I'm going to because, like us, after a promising first leg, you have struggled since the break. Why do you think this is? 

We weren’t prolific goal scorers in Leg 1, but we loaned out 50% of our strike force to struggling Nongbua for Leg 2.  If we can’t score goals, we can’t win matches.

What has been the highlight of your season so far? 

Seeing the brilliant defence Ratchaburi has put together.  Arguably the best in T1.

And the low point? 

Losing the ability to score goals.

What are your hopes and expectations for the rest of the season? 

That the bottom teams continue to play badly, and we stay out of the relegation zone.

Where would you like to see your club in five years time? 

Title contenders, and regular Champions League appearances.

If you could give your coach one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Look at videos of Leg 1, and try to get the current team playing as well.

And your owners? 

Sign some recognised strikers with T1 ability.

How much of an influence does Robert Procureur have at the club and what are your impressions of him? 

I have only supported the team for 6 years, and in that time the only thing we’ve seen him do is walk about, organize shirts in the Mega Store, and question the referee’s parentage from the touchline.  Nobody has ever explained his role.

My presumption of his role is to recruit foreign players, and I assume he has numerous contacts, especially in Europe.  If that is his role, then he is doing a pretty good job looking at some of the players who have passed through the club.

If you could give him one piece of advice, what would it be? 

Move the orange shirts a bit further to the right in the Mega Store (not knowing his role, I can’t advise much more).

Your ground often comes near the top of people's lists of favourite Thai stadiums. What do you like most about it and why do you think it's so popular? 

We are probably the only club in the world with its own dragon nesting on the roof.

On to Sunday. What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season? 

I think they should find a different role model.  Trying to copy Ratchaburi week after week isn’t working well for you.

What are your expectations for the match? 

Ratchaburi will win by a single goal either scored by a defender, or an own goal.

Which of our players are you most wary of? 

Danilo Alves seems to be a prolific goal scorer.  If you disagree, just leave him in the dressing room – I’m sure we can find a use for him.

Which of your players do we need to keep an eye out for? 

Moussa.  The Hua Hin Dragons have affectionally named him "Chaos".  He has so much skill, but never seems to apply it to any real effect.  I’m sure he’s going to find his way this week, and you guys won’t have a clue what has hit you,

New! Mythbuster - Ratchaburi The Reply: 2023

Ratchaburi fan, Neal Oliver responds to our recent 'Mythbuster' feature on his club.

Ratchaburi Are A Solid Top Flight Team

Of course, they are. TPL has an elite 6, a bunch of also rans and relegation contenders. Money is everything in the top tier of most leagues, and the top 6 usually falls to the teams with the super-budgets. If you never had the teams occupying the middle of the table each season, it would become a boring table. To have been top tier team for 10 seasons, they must be doing something right.

Ratchaburi Stadium Is The Best Stadium In Thailand

I haven’t been to them all, but pound for pound it probably is. Crowd sizes mean that it is still modest in terms of capacity, but we have been assured by ‘the management’ that plans for building the 4th side are in place, should we need the additional capacity. I went to Buriram’s stadium at the end of last year, and although impressive, it fell down in several areas compared to the Dragon Solar Park.

There Isn't A Decent Drinking Option In The City

I am a Hua Hin Dragon, so by definition, living over 100Km away, I am not really qualified to answer this question. However, I have stayed in the city after arriving back late on supporter’s buses. I have only found 7-11s open. It is most definitely a city that goes to bed at 8pm. However, I do intend spending a few days just looking around the city next month. Thanks for the tips guys, and if we find any other watering holes, I will update the thread.

Ratchaburi Are Not Disliked By Anyone

Probably not, but this is Thailand. One of the things I like about Thai football is nobody really dislikes anybody else. I am never afraid to wear Ratchaburi colours at opposing stadiums, and there has never been any hint of trouble. Football is definitely very family friendly. I must say, I can’t really think of any football club here, except Prachuap, that I would say I hate them. The only trouble I’ve seen has been alcohol fueled, and even that has been little more than handbags. Prachuap at Hua Hin was disgusting, but, thankfully, it was a one-off.

As for Heberty, I’ve never seen him in a Ratchaburi shirt, so I’m with the rest of the Thai football community on that one. Typical Brazilian – a bucketload of skill, a great eye for goal but feels the need to con the ref at every opportunity. I’m sure he wasn’t like that when he wore a Ratchaburi shirt.

Ratchaburi Sack Far Too Many Coaches

Agreed 100%. 2018 is about the time I discovered Ratchaburi (is it really only 15? I stopped counting). It got to the stage where I didn’t have a clue who was in the seat – I just used to look for a strange face when the players came to the crowd at the end of matches.

9 months in the seat by Coach Xavi has made a huge difference to the football Ratchaburi are playing. We are playing some really nice football. However, some of the mid-season transfer decisions do make me wonder how much control he has over the squad he is ‘managing’. Ratchaburi had a fantastic 1st leg, but offloaded some key players, and their replacements are definitely a downgrade. I don’t see any coach worth his salt doing that. The team are still playing some beautiful football, but are a toothless tiger in front of goal in Leg 2.

Ratchaburi Get Decent Crowds

With the exception of Buriram, I think all Thai football crowds are poor. I actually wonder how teams survive. Especially in the lower leagues, they can not rely upon gate receipts. If clubs can’t attract enough supporters, why do they bother? Yes, I think Thai supporters can make a lot of noise, but they need drums and megaphones to do that – because they need artificial aids, I do wonder the value of the noise. Don’t get me wrong, I’d hate to see teams throw in the towel, but it just doesn’t compute inside my head how the teams manage without gate receipts or why.

Even with all of our old coaches sitting in the stands, the stadium can would still be a lonely place outside of sections D, E or U.

New! Interview With A Khon Kaen Utd Fan: 2023

Here's my pre match interview with Khon Kaen Utd fan, Isaac Hanson.

Please can you start by introducing yourself 

Hi! My name is Isaac, I am 29 years old and from the great state of Wisconsin, USA. I have been living in Thailand for nearly 7 years as an English teacher. I am currently working at a school in Khon Kaen, where I've been for the past 5 years.

How long have you been supporting Khon Kaen Utd?

I have been supporting Khon Kaen United since our season in T2 (2020). My wife was already a casual fan of the team and suggested going to a match, and I’ve been hooked ever since! The first game I went to happened to be the last one before the covid shut down (3-0 win vs Ayutthaya). Since then, I’ve tried to watch as many games as I could, whether on TV or at the stadium.

 

How happy are you with your team's performance so far this season?

It’s good that you’re asking me this question now instead of 2 months ago. I’ve been extremely happy with their form since the start of the 2nd leg (aside from the cup loss at Chiangmai and the draw against a Lampang side that ships goals for fun). The first leg was pretty much a complete disaster that saw two coaching changes, only one win, and numerous injuries. Since the start of the 2nd leg, we have 4 wins, 1 draw, and only 1 loss. The team has done a complete 180 and looks unrecognizable compared to the team that we saw in the first leg. 

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

I’m hoping/expecting to finish somewhere between 10th-12th place. It would be great if we could challenge Police Tero for 9th, but we have a tough run of games coming up where points will be hard to come by, starting Saturday. Regardless of the results in the next month or so, I hope to at least see some more of the much improved attacking play that was severely lacking in the first half of the season. Realistically, as long as we avoid relegation I’ll be happy.

And in the long term?

Long term, I’d hope that we are able to eventually separate ourselves from the mid-lower table pack and start to challenge for top 6, top 5, etc. I think becoming a Ratchaburi or Chiang Rai type of team could be possible. A provincial team with a nice, new football specific stadium (fingers crossed), that can make the occasional deep cup run or have a season where they hover around the top 3. I think we have a solid foundation in place where we could eventually build on our existing scrappy underdog status to become a more well-established top division team.

What has been the highlight of your time supporting the team so far?

It’s hard to pick just one… the two draws we’ve had against Buriram were memorable, as well as seeing some of the Thai national team stars come to town with the likes of Bangkok U, Port, BGPU, etc. Our late come from behind win last Sunday against Korat was incredible to experience in person and one that I will remember for a long time. However, none of those would have even been possible without my top highlight, which was the night we won promotion to T1 on penalties against Nakhon Pathom. I usually enjoy a penalty shootout as a neutral fan, but my goodness, they are absolutely terrifying when your team is involved! 

And the low point?

There was a run of games where we bounced between 15th and 16th place at the start of our first season in T1 last year for about the first 2 months of the season, including a 0-7 thumping at the hands of Chonburi that I’m sure your fans will remember well. We looked so overmatched in many of those games, I was sure that we were headed straight back down to T2. Things were looking very bleak before we thankfully turned things around later in the season. 

How happy are you with the way the club is run?

Overall, I’d say 8 out of 10. The owner is involved and obviously emotionally invested in the team. Sure, there are a few things that could be improved, but I think there are a lot of things that he has done well. 

If you could offer your owner one piece of advice, what would it be?

Something that we had spoken about previously, which would be not overbuilding any potential new stadium. If there is ever a new stadium built, I really don’t think it needs to be any bigger than the current stadium (7,000). Just take out the running track to bring the fans closer to the action and create a more intimate atmosphere. 

And which one piece of advice would you give your coach?

This decision might be more for the owner to make, but I’d advise the coach (Patipat Robroo; “Coach Boss”) to stick around as the permanent coach rather than interim. This is actually the 3rd team that he has taken over for us on an interim basis, but has never been given the full official job, even after getting the team promoted the two previous times he was in charge. 

What does the club do to attract fans from the city and surrounding area?

Not a whole lot, to be honest. I see hardly any marketing in town, and even their social media presence isn’t particularly active, at least not in terms of marketing or trying to attract new fans. Even the team store is extremely small and hard to find. I’m curious to know how United initially marketed themselves when they were first in T4, but I was living elsewhere in Thailand at the time, so I’m not sure…

What more do you think they could do?

It would be great to see more player focused social media content such as interviews or other sort of features. One of the team’s photographers posts a lot of content to his personal accounts, but it very rarely gets posted on any of the official team accounts. Even just something as simple as posting a list of the Thai players nicknames, I find it odd how everyone in Thailand goes by their nicknames except for footballers.

What kind of relationship does the club have with Khon Kaen FC? 

Honestly, that’s something I’ve been wondering about too, and I’m yet to find a really good answer to that question. The one year that we were in the same division (T2; 2020) was the covid year, so I didn’t get to experience what that atmosphere would have been like and see how the two sets of fans would have interacted with each other. The impression that I do get though, is that United is kind of like the younger brother that had a big growth spurt and suddenly was more successful and well-liked than the older brother in KKFC. Even when KKUtd was in T4 and T3, they were more popular. I suspect that people staled on FC after a few years of mediocre T2 performances and one abysmal campaign in the top flight (and now in T3). When KKUtd came around and were consistently winning games and earning promotions, fans flocked to the new hotness. Gotta give credit to the fans that stuck with FC though, that’s dedication.

You share your ground with Khon Kaen FC and it seems more like their home than yours - it's painted yellow and black and most of the evidence pointed to them rather than you on my recent visit. What are your thoughts on this? 

Yes, absolutely fair comment. Since KKFC were there first and still use it, KKUtd can’t just paint over the yellow with red, even if they are the more successful team. It does seem a bit odd, especially on a non-game day when United doesn’t have any of their red and black banners and flags set up. United’s owner (Watthana Changlao) mentioned in a pre-season interview that they were exploring the possibility of building their own stadium, but I haven’t heard anything about it since then. 

On to Saturday. What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season?

Despite poor recent results, I feel like 3rd is about where they should be in the table. It would be great to see them (or anyone) put up a serious threat to the team in first, but we all know that isn’t happening anytime soon. Hopefully you can get things back on track (after this week, of course) to fend off the other teams that have gained some ground on you, though it seems the ship may have sailed on pushing for 2nd place.

Which of our players are you most wary of?

Definitely Danilo Alves. We will likely be without our two first choice center backs (Joshua Grommen and Jung Han-Cheol), so it might turn into a feeding frenzy for Alves.

Which of your players do we need to look out for?

Maybe Ibson Melo? The player with the 2nd most goals in the entire league last season didn’t score a single goal all season until the two he scored last Sunday. If he can get back to his best, he is always dangerous, but outside of the last five minutes against Korat he has been a shell of himself. Another player to look out for is Lidor Cohen. He has been fantastic for us since joining on loan from BG. That archetype of player, someone who can carry the ball and take defenders on 1-on-1, is what we desperately needed in the first leg. He doesn’t have blistering pace, but he has a smooth first touch and knows how to use a combination of step overs and ball rolls to keep defenders guessing. 

What are your expectations for Saturday's match?

I worry that losing a couple of winnable games in a row will light a fire under Chonburi this week and they’ll be looking to take out their frustrations against us. I’m anticipating a highly focused and determined performance from your lot this week. If we are indeed without Grommen and Jung, we could be chum in the water.

Would you care to make a score prediction?

2-1 for Chonburi. I think Alves will grab an early goal in the first half, Khon Kaen will push forward in the second half chasing an equalizer before getting caught out too far forward and conceding on a counter attack, and then grabbing a consolation goal in the last few minutes.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes! I’d just like to thank you for all the engagement online and being so welcoming and helpful with introducing me to this online community. It’s been a lot of fun and good luck on Saturday! 

New! Interview With An Opposition Fan (Greg Hill - Muang Thong Utd): 2023

After a break of ten years, one time regular Muang Thong Utd blogger, Greg Hill made a welcome return to social media this week. I caught up with him earlier today and shot a few questions his way, ahead of Sunday's match. It was just like old times.

It's fair to say you have had a long break from commenting on Thai football and Muang Thong Utd, what was the reason for this and what have you been doing for the last ten years? 

A few things have changed but nothing that would be of much interest to your readers. I have still attended a few games but not enough to keep the blog up to speed.

Are you intending to become more active again?

What I’m thinking right now is to do one or two match reports and see how I feel. The main drawback for me is that even though MTUTD and Nonthaburi United are my local teams, the former is really difficult to get to. Once the MRT station opens (scheduled for next year), it should be far easier to get there and perhaps then I’ll get back into regular blogging.

What have you missed most during your sabbatical? 

Probably the same thing most footie fans would miss: the social occasion, the atmosphere, the chance to watch some attacking football. 

And is there anything you haven't missed?

Traffic jams! Oh, and getting annoyed by time-wasting fake injuries.

What are the biggest changes you have noticed to Thai football and its social media output during your absence? 

At MTUTD the biggest change is that the smaller teams no longer draw a big home crowd. The atmosphere is noticeably more muted when the smaller teams visit. I mean that as a knock on my own club, not the visitors. However the bigger teams still draw good crowds and the standard of football is similar to how it was even if we aren’t so high up the league. The standard of officiating is still as weak as it was a decade ago. Mario was spot on about that.

As for the media, I’ve actually been really impressed by how consistent you and many of the other social media sources have remained while I’ve been slacking for a decade. One change I’ve noticed is that blogs and forums are a bit passe now, especially forums, and everything is even more focused on Twitter and other social media. 

I've also noticed that the ratio of western fans watching Thai football has increased. Back in 2010, western fans were few enough that I knew most of them by name. These days the rate has increased from about 1 in 20 to 1 in 15 or more.

How does the league now compare to that of ten years ago? 

It’s about the same which is a shame. I remember when I started my blog I predicted that the growth of Thai football would drive prices up and encourage overpricing in many ways. That has not happened, but instead the growth has stopped for a variety of reasons which is sad but not surprising. 

How does the current Muang Thong Utd squad compare to that of ten years ago? 

The squad is still good as they showed against Buriram. I think the only decline is in the standard of the defence. Kawin, Nattaporn and Jetsada were fantastic back in the day. After them came Zesh Rehmen and some other quality defenders. No disrespect to the current crop but they are not quite at that level yet.

Who are your current favourite players? 

After that hat trick, it has to be our Kenyan forward Johana, he instantly reminded me of Christian, our talented but temperamental attacker in the good ol’ days.

Why do you think that Muang Thong Utd are no longer the force they once were? 

It’s all about the money, the club don’t spend as much on new signings as they used to. As most of us have seen, in Thailand and some other parts of Asia, the rich will throw money into new ideas or businesses but sometimes they quickly get bored or disappointed, too. I think that may be the case with MTUTD. I wish we could get some of the big money back in and have another title challenge.

What are your thoughts on the events of the past week at Muang Thong Utd? And, after all the confusion, what would be the perfect outcome for you?

My thoughts on the 4-4 are on my blog. It was a cracking game with some very bad officiating but we threw the lead away ourselves. The Mario/Milos saga is a typical example of a lack of organization and communication in Thai football, but I’m glad Mario is still with us. If Mario and Milos can work together, it might be great. Milos has a good record and Mario has the spirit. He is MTUTD.

What are your favourite memories from Muang Thong Utd v Chonburi matches of the past? 

At I remember one away game where our head coach Rene got red carded for arguing with officials which still makes me smile when I think of it. I also recall a home game where we beat you 4-1 or 5-1 if I recall correctly, I was delighted with our attacking that day, it was one of Yaya’s last games for us. And meeting you was a pleasure, of course.

And your least favourite memories? 

I don’t have any particularly bad memories.

Can Chonburi v Muang Thong Utd still be considered a big match? 

Two big teams with a history of winning trophies, it’s a big game.

What are your expectations for Sunday? 

Our away form has been our weakness. I think it might be a score draw though.

Is there anything else you would like to add? 

When I banter or bicker with fans of other teams, I’m just playing my side. We’re all fans of Thai football and I wish everyone the best.

New! Chonburi v Buriram Utd Q&A: 2023

It's a Chonburi v Buriram Utd pre match Q&A. Representing the Sharks is Tim Spear and for the Thunder Castle we have Jamie Pinder. The floor is yours, gentlemen...

Tim answers Jamie's questions

Have you visited the Chang Arena before and how does it rank among viewing experiences compared to other stadiums?

Yes, I have been to Buriram a fair few times. I've seen many an exciting match, some fabulous, others so close for us. The ground is great, though it is a rather kitsch Meccano set up. The away end is cramped in the corner, so the view, although close up, is probably the worst in the ground. The atmosphere is invariably amazing. A big shout out must go to your stewards, certainly the biggest ars*****s in the whole of Thai football. Trained in ruining a matchday experience.

Are you happy with the Buriram Utd players that have come into your squad?

I really like Kelic. I don't recall seeing Go Seul-ki, so let's see. Bardanca flatters to deceive. But ultimately how can we compete with Buriram, when our players are your cast offs.

Do you think teams should supply free transport for away games to help generate support?

I guess this is like "kids for a quid". So in the short term, yes. It generates attention and potentially brings in new fans. Free away travel, would increase gates, but when clubs pay for this it takes away from the team budget. Unless of course your club is owned by an (alleged) corr*** megla****** . 

Are Chonburi seriously overachieving this year? 

It's hard to say about Chonburi this season. We have a nice way of playing, and the players are certainly enjoying their games. As a fan, there have been some great entertaining games. Over achieving? I guess we are in the top half, which is historically the case. However, we are having a half hearted flirt with second, which usually happens to some extent. At present we are the best of the also rans, but no more. We underachieved in the cups for sure. We can beat any team on our day here in Thailand. Just not consistently.

Do you fancy taking all three points on Sunday? 

Ha ha! We will hopefully take the game to Buriram, so you never know. But your team is much stronger than ours, so I'm not expecting much, especially with the 13th man in the middle for you! All of the very worst refereeing decisions I have witnessed have been in favour of Buriram, so I'm not holding out much hope on that score. However, I still want to wish all your supporters all the best for the rest of the season. I'm just a little bit jealous that we don't have the same level of financial support that you have. 

Jamie answers Tim's questions

How happy are you are with the owners of you club? Are their policies sustainable?

Very happy. We’re lucky to have owners who really care about the club and the fans.

Who do you see as your main threat in this season's title race?

Um, I guess Chonburi if they win on Sunday. I’d like to see a tighter competition but it needs the other teams to step up.

What is your usual food experience before a game?

For home matches it's Jimmy’s for a Sunday roast if possible. Amazon for coffee and 7/11 for a toasted cheese and ham sandwich when traveling away.

How long have you supported Buriram, and do you have a soft spot for any other Thai team?

I discovered we had a team when it was still Buriram PEA and a Thai friend took me to watch. Hooked since 2010. I have a soft spot for the Isaan teams. 

Which visiting fans make the most noise when they come to Buriram?

Muang Thong, Port and Korat based on how many fans they bring. Final game this year is home to Korat. We could pick up the trophy and they could get relegated (but I hope they don’t). Could be a cracking atmosphere.

New! Interview With A Port Fan: 2022

In 2009, Port fan Marcus Turner was one of a handful of foreign fans who ran blogs and websites dedicated to Thai football. Although based mainly in the UK these days, Marco still gets to watch his team as often as possible. It was an abolute pleasure to catch up with him recently and fire some questions his way, ahead of Friday's match.

What are the main differences you've noticed from when you started watching Port in 2009 and the present day?

The obvious one would be the Stadium. It was only two sides (Zone A and Zone C lower) back then. It’s gone through several changes in the intervening years, not all for the better. The seats are absolutely dreadful. It took me the best part of 15 minutes to get out of Zone C (upper) after the Buriram game. Fortunately, they decided to take out a section of seating directly behind the goal in Zone B at the start of the season, so I normally go in that section and stand up.

The club as a whole is a lot different now compared to back then. We were a team of underdogs in 2009, punching above our weight and scrapping for every point. Every player looked like they were giving 100% and the fans were up for every game (a little too ‘up for it’ at times). Nowadays the expectations at the club are much higher, the budget is much bigger, but we haven’t matched the hype in terms of results/success. A lot of players look like they are happy to just play for their paycheck or sit on the bench doing nothing. There certainly wasn’t a lot of hunger or desire in the second-string players that played against Samut Songkhram, that’s for sure. It feels a bit different on the terraces too. Still a good atmosphere for the big games but falls a bit flat in games we are expected to win.

What is it you most enjoy about watching Port these days?

The social side of it is probably the best thing about the matchday experience nowadays. There are some great lads who follow Port all over the country and have done so for years. I’ve got nothing but respect for them. Obviously, I have spent a lot of time in the UK in recent seasons, but I’m always welcomed back to the Sandpit like a returning pilgrim. It's always nice to meet new Port fans too.

Is there anything you miss from the "old days"?

I miss the essence of the club from back then. As mentioned earlier, that underdog mentality we had after moving back to PAT Stadium (following consecutive relegation battles) was infectious and the team spirit/link with the fans - fostered by Sasom - made things feel much more tight-knit than they are now. The club felt a lot closer to the Khlong Toei community in general back then. That’s something I feel has ebbed away in recent years.

I also miss simple orange and blue striped shirts. Ari take note.

What are your thoughts on how the team has performed this season?

You can look at it two ways; we’ve only lost 2 out of 14 games in T1...but we’ve only won 5 out of 14. The 7 draws have really hampered us and probably cost Scott Cooper his job. I’m not being biased when I say this, but we should have won at least 5 of the games we drew. We conceded a last-gasp equalizer in two of them and were the better side in at least 3 of the others. Poor finishing and lapses in concentration have cost us dearly.

Getting knocked out of the League Cup by Samut Songkhram was a low point. With no chance of winning the league, we should be going all out in the cups. I think we underestimated them and paid the price.

And what are your expectations for the rest of it?

At the start of the season, I predicted we’d finish 5th or 6th and I have seen nothing so far to change my mind. We’re still in the FA Cup and play Ayutthaya (current joint-leaders of T2) at PAT Stadium in the next round. I’m hoping we will take it seriously and that it can be the catalyst for a good cup run – we are certainly due one.

What are your thoughts on how the club is run and how does it differ from previous regimes?

Pang definitely has more money than previous incumbents but has proven that bringing in a succession of high-profile players, with no plan of how to incorporate them into a functioning team, and then firing the coach for not getting results, does not work. That message is yet to sink in unfortunately...and I doubt it will any time soon.

One thing I will get them credit for this season is the ticket prices. It’s 50 baht to get into Zones B, C, D (uncovered stands) and 100 baht in Zone A (covered). That’s fantastic value and cheaper than some T3 grounds.

Of all the names your club has used, which is your favourite?

I like Thai Port as that was the first name under which I supported the club. Port FC is fine too - nice and concise. Wasn’t keen on Singhtarua and was glad when plans to incorporate MTI (Muang Thai Insurance) into the team's name was dropped after heavy criticism from fans. Same goes for the badge with a horse logo.

Dolphins or Lions? Discuss

Definitely Lions. Pattaya are more than welcome to the Dolphin badge and moniker.

What have been your impressions of Chonburi this season?

I haven’t watched any Chonburi games this season but just going on results alone, I’d say they are doing better than I expected them to - but with some frustrating results, particularly of late. I would have had them down as a solid mid-table side, so a top 6 finish would constitute a good season in my opinion.

What are your expectations for Friday's match?

I would be a brave man to predict a Port win given that we’ve only won one T1 away game is the past calendar year. As I write this, we haven’t yet appointed a head coach to replace Scott Cooper – interim coach Matt Holland has lost 2 out of 2 so far, so the omens are not good. If I was a betting man, my money would be on a draw.

When was the last time you watched a match at Chonburi Stadium and what are you most looking forward to on this trip?

Last game I watched there was Chonburi 1-5 Bangkok United in 2017. Dragan Boskovic, in his pre-Port days, ran riot and scored a hat-trick. I remember Renan Marques feeling the full force of your ire for a rather lethargic first-half performance (and that’s putting it mildly). He scored a late consolation so maybe the hairdryer treatment spurred him into action.

I always enjoy going to Chonburi Stadium – despite the well documented view from the away end. The fans are always friendly and give us Port fans a warm welcome. Will be interesting see how, if at all, it has changed since my last visit. I’m surprised they don’t sell away tickets on match days. I’m sure that will catch a few people out this season.

How does Chonburi Stadium compare with other grounds you've visited?

The running track is the obvious thing to dislike about it. That said, the elevated view from the main stand helps to negate the distance from the pitch and offers a good vantage point. I’ve never been in the Pool Stand, so can’t comment on that. The away end is a bit far from the pitch and quite low down, so it doesn’t offer a great view. I like that Chonburi Stadium is decked out in blue and the shark motifs in the seats help reinforce the identity of the club. If you showed your average Thai football fan a photo of the Stadium, they’d know it immediately. I don’t think that would be the case with some Provincial/Municipal Stadiums.

You watch a lot of matches at different levels. Which have been your most enjoyable experiences on this visit?

I enjoyed going to Ratchaburi’s current stadium for the first time. Very impressive venue, if a little far out of town. I actually enjoyed watching us play at Muangthong (against Police Tero) too. I haven’t been there for a long time – as most Port fans haven’t.

I’ve been to several Prime Bangkok and Thonburi United games in T3 this season at various venues. Some of their fans recognized me after a few games and came over to chat, which was nice. The lower league fans definitely seem friendlier/more inquisitive than your average T1 fan. I think farang’s are a lot less visible in the lower leagues, so we still have a bit of novelty value. That’s long since gone at T1 level.

Another enjoyable feature of T3 is watching players that were T1 regulars when I first got into Thai football. The likes of Kirati Kawesombat, Sompob Nilwong and Bireme Diouf spring to mind. Great to see them still playing well into their 30’s. There are also plenty of ex-players turned coaches who have been given an opportunity at T3 level. Sarayoot Chaikamdee is doing a great job at Samut Sakhon City.

Which do you prefer, travelling around watching lower league fixtures in exotic locations or going to the PAT?

I really enjoy both, to be honest. Going to PAT to watch my local team gives me a taste of current top-flight action complete with decent crowds, beers with friends and the unwanted presence of VAR whereas the T3 games feel like a throwback to Thai football when I first started watching it. It’s a lot more laid-back to the point where you still get last-minute stadium changes and kick-off times moving etc. You can usually have a beer and a bite to eat inside the stadium, tickets are inexpensive and the football is unpredictable with goalkeepers coming up to take free-kicks, managers making triple substitutions after 40 minutes and own goals and gaffes aplenty. That’s the Thai football I grew to love.

A more general question now, what are the biggest differences between the top-flight now and the top-flight in 2009?

I think the make-up of the league is the first thing that springs to mind. A lot of the company/state enterprise teams have disappeared such as Osotspa, TOT, TTM, PEA etc. I’m probably in the minority on this one but I really miss those teams. It would be nice if they were still knocking about – even at T3 level. The positive upside of those clubs being filtered out of the league was the rise of the provincial clubs and the end of the Bangkok-centric top-flight. If you look at T1 in 2022, the teams are spread all over the country - with the exception of the south. Hopefully Nakhon Si United will help to rectify that next season.

TV coverage is massively different too. You can stream any T1 or T2 match and selected Cup games on AIS Play for 49 baht per month, which is great...but must be having an adverse effect on attendances. Back in 2009 you got the odd game on Siamsport, T-Sports or NBT11 but that was about it. It’s obviously a lot easier to find out about fixtures etc. these days too. We were often reliant on word of mouth on message boards for fixture info/kick-off times back then.

The standard of foreign players has definitely gone up too. There were some good ones back in 2009 – Yaya and Dagno at Muangthong spring to mind – but, unsurprisingly, as wage levels have risen, so has the calibre of foreign talent coming into the league.

Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks for the opportunity to answer the questions. Thanks to anyone who read to the end. See you on Friday. I don’t think we have shared a beer together since that Bangkok United match. Speaking of which, another 5-1 away win wouldn’t go amiss!

New! Post Match Interview With A Sukhothai Fan: 2022

Sukhothai fan, Bill Greaves, shares his thoughts on last Saturday's match.

What are your impressions of Chonburi Stadium?

Chonburi Stadium is about the same size as Talay Luang, perhaps a little bigger. My wife was very pleased with the cleanliness of the ladies bathroom. I am a lot less agile than I used to be and I was very happy with the steps and stairways. It should be noted that the absolutely worst spot for away spectators, resides in Lampang. Cheers arose when a spectator achieved a bottom row seat there.

What was the atmosphere like on the day?

Sukhothai have a large group of supporters who live in/near Bangkok. They call themselves Firebat Hardcore and can electrify any atmosphere. They were incredible in the pouring rain for our 0 – 2 defeat at the hands of Muang Tong. Sadly, they were largely absent from the Chonburi game so it was quieter than I had hoped for.

How do you think Chonburi as a club handled a very sensitive occasion today?

It was a tragic and sad situation. I think Chonburi handled it very well with discretion and dignity.

What are your feelings on the first half?

I thought Sukhothai were terrible. The goal was soft and I was preparing to endure another Buriram style 6 goal massacre. However, as we got closer to half time, I started to feel that we might just get away with a one goal defeat. Could we equalize? We couldn’t even get out of our own half.

And the second period?

Again, a one goal loss was on the cards until the red card. Then it was out and out manic defending with a bit of help from the woodwork. By the end of the regular 90 minutes a one goal deficit was going to be a sad but acceptable defeat. The 93rd minute? I’m sorry but my brain has been unable to rationalize that yet. Is that not exactly why we go to football games? My voice is hoarse, my demeanour is hysterical. Sympathy for Chonburi? Wellll, maybe a little.

Which of your players stood out today?

Sukhothai social media is full of  Sarawut Thorarit our goal scorer but Kittipun Saensuk the goalie was superb. I still think that the goal he let in was a bit soft but after that, heroic was a bit of an understatement. Laércio Soldá our big Brazilian defender glued our defence together – again. Towards the end of the game he moved up to try to create some attack. Sukhothai strikers are as rare as Ukrainian electricity so maybe that is a move that Coach Amato is contemplating.

Which Chonburi players impressed you the most today? 

Amadou Ouattara, Yoo Byung-soo, Faiq Bolkiah and Channarong Promsrikaew are the players that impressed me. All forwards including the goal scorer. They  were fast tricky and their play was intricate. I can not be critical of any of the Chonburi squad. The goalie - Chommaphat Boonloet - had little to do apart from picking the ball out of the net and the defenders were much the same.

What is your opinion of the final result? 

What a terrible question to ask me. The final result was a fair result of the game. Sukhothai have no strikers and came down intent on a 0 – 0 draw. A soft early goal ended that dream but we played incredible defence for the rest of the game. Chonburi can claim to have been robbed by a lucky last minute strike. If Sukhothai had lost to a saveable shot early on we would be moaning just as loudly about our indomitable defending being all for naught.

How does Saturday's result and performance compare with your other matches this season?

We let in 9 goals in the first 2 games. Then Laércio Soldá appeared on the scene and we have let in 8 in the 9 games since. Last year we had the most goals in the second division; this year we have become a defensive juggernaught. We came south planning on a scoreless draw. We were not flawless but we got the result we were looking for.

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

Are we part of the relegation struggle or a mid-table team? I will answer that when the season is over. We have a good coach and if we remain in the relegation battle, we will be top of the heap. If we get a striker we could be comfortably mid-table.

And for Chonburi?

Chonburi are third in the league and I suspect that they are over performing. We were beaten by Port last week and we deserved what we got. They were the better team. We drew with Chiang Rai and lost to Muang Tong away. I believe that we can win our return matches, same as Chonburi.

Do you have any amusing or interesting stories from your trip today?

After the psychological terror and horror that I endured at Chonburi Stadium do you really think I am prepared to be amusing? Seriously, I used to teach in Bangkok and my memory of  Bang Saen is of a Grade 3 student who came here for school break. He returned 2 weeks late doing a fairly decent imitation of an Egyptian mummy, coated in bandages from his struggles with jellyfish. Chonburi and amusement do not mix.

New! 5555 To Chonburi by Big Mick: 2022

About an hour after today's defeat, I received the following message from Buriram Utd fan, Big Mick. I think he enjoyed our loss, coupled with his team's return to the summit. Thanks, Mick.

55555 to Chonburi. I seen you crowwing on twatter lately and posting league tables everyday, well wear are you now??!! Your not top any more and you wont be again. Now the mitey Buriram boys are back on top and well stay their 55. Weve seen off them Mung Tong boys so now we'll sea you off to. Nobody messes with the Buriram. You have bean warned!!!

If you cant even beet bangkok uted at home you dont deserve to be on top of the thai premier league. And i remember we scored 3 passed you in 15 minits to. Ha ha. It was so easy. We even had a man sent of too give you a chance BUT you couldn;t beet us even then 555 I watched it on my telly. what a crap team you are. and you think youll be champion's. 55 I read that in you're interview. God you talk crap!! 55! no wonder no one follows you on twitter and no body reeds you're website!

I hope you wont be posting them league table's again but I mite!!! 55! You need to keep you're mouth shut Chonburi boy. You Bangkok lot are always the same thinking us isaan lot are all pessants who ride bufalos and live in mud huts. Well we dont. we all live in nice housses and have proper petts like cats and dogs. i have a swimming pool to. do you have a swimming pool. I bet you dont 55! See we're not thick peasants. And we have the best football teams. Like The Mitey BURIRAM!!

i'll still follow you on twatter only to sea what crap you post everyday now your not top. i cant wait to sea you drop down that league like a stone. I through a stone in my swimming pool yesterday and it sunk like Chonburi 555 that's all you are now..........a stone in the bottom of my swimming pool.

Write Id better go now i have to watch the hilite's of our massive win over Nong bua and i mite watch you're hilites too. Just so i can have LOLs!!! Oh, and i need to get that stone out of my pool. i dont want my grandkid's hurting there feet on it when they come round to swim in my swimming pool.

Sawardee crap.

New! Questions And Answers - Chonburi v Muang Thong Utd: 2022

Take a few Muang Thong Utd fans and a couple of Chonburi fans, and get them to fire questions at each other ahead of the big match. What do you get? Well, here's the result:

Grant (Muang Thong Utd) asks Stephen (Muang Thong Utd)

1.Who is your favorite Chonburi player, past or present?

Kroekrit. Or Pipob. Or Kroekrit. I cannot decide..I guess I'll go with a current player. So Kroerkrit it is.

 

2.It would be fair to say that Muangthong hasn’t quite found the right gear so far this season. Which of our players needs a good performance the most in the Chonburi match?

Eric Johana needs to start scoring...he was brought in after Popp left to be a key goal scorer...he's got great speed, a wicked shot with either foot..it's time!

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Tim (Chonburi) asks Stephen (Muang Thong Utd)

1. Why are your fans so aggressive towards Chonburi fans?

In my experience I've not seen this, the opposite in fact.  But in any club's fan base you are bound to have people getting carried away.

2. This season who has been your best performer and why? 

Adisak - turning the ball over, creating chances, forcing errors, winning headers.  Not what I thought, considering he was supposed to be with Port FC.

3. Will you sell out any games other than Buriram Utd?

I doubt we will sell out even Buriram. It has been very disappointing so far.

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Stephen (Muang Thong Utd) asks Kevin (Chonburi)

1. If Danilo stops scoring, then what? 

Then someone else will have to step up.

2. Chonburi has started strongly before, but will this be a trophy season?

I would like to say yes, but I don’t think our squad is strong enough. 

3. If you could choose one thing for the club to improve on for the fan experience, what would it be?

Honestly, I am not sure. Just hope we can get better results so we can have more people attend the regular matches and not just big matches.

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Stephen (Muang Thong Utd) asks Grant (Muang Thong Utd)

1. Muang Thong Utd have played a diverse range of starting 11s so far, what's your ideal line up?

I quite like the fact that there 16-18 players that all have a reasonable shout of playing come match day, so I’m not overly worried about having a set 11, but instead, 3 or 4 players that are undroppable. On Saturday though, I’ll be happy if we line up with the following:

Somporn

Wattankorn, Bontawee, Rocha, Nyholm

Picha, Wheerathep

Poramet, Mirzaev, Ekkanit

Anier

2. If you could choose one thing for the club to improve on for the fan experience, what would it be?

I’ve never visited Choburi’s stadium so it is difficult to comment. We’re spoilt at The Thunderdome as there’s no such thing as a bad view, so I guess the running track factor doesn’t appeal. That being said, a couple of days spent in the Chonburi province still make it an ideal away day.

In terms of my own club, I wish they’d offer a better deal on season tickets. I don’t mind paying the highest ticket price in the league as I think the game is undervalued out here anyway, especially when compared to other forms of entertainment. However, I’m a working man with a family and if I miss a match or two during the season then I’m suddenly out of pocket as the season ticket is only marginally better value than paying for tickets individually. There needs to be more of an incentive before I stump up for 3 or 4 season tickets, and a 10% discount at the club shop doesn’t cut it I’m afraid.

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Tim (Chonburi) asks Grant (Muang Thong Utd)

1.Why are your fans so aggressive towards Chonburi fans? 

I’m skeptical that they are, to be honest, assuming we’re talking about recent seasons. I usually see Chonburi fans walking carefree around our stadium when the two teams meet so I’d be surprised if that was an opinion many fans held. Our Ultra fans certainly look intimidating but that’s pretty much the point. I love the sense of theatre they bring and without their unwavering vocal support, I’m not sure I’d have stayed quite as fanatical about the club as I am.

2.This season who has been your best performer and why? 

I’ve yet to see Picha Autra have a bad game since he transitioned to centre midfield. When he played on the wing, I wouldn’t have had him in my starting 11, but as a defensive midfielder, he’s the first name on the team sheet. Being a Leeds United fan, this is a role we’ve always valued above all others, with tough tackling players like Johnny Giles, Vinnie Jones, David Batty and Kalvin Phillips being cult heroes. Billy Bremner’s infamous line of “Side before self, every time” is sprawled across the stadium wall at Elland Road. Picha is cut from the same cloth.

3.Will you sell out any games other than Buriram Utd?

It’s pretty doubtful. The capacity is 14k, so if the BG or Bangkok Utd matches can reach 10k+ figures then I’d be delighted. It will take time to win back the dedication of casual attendees after the stop-start season we had last year.

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Grant (Muang Thong Utd) asks Kevin (Chonburi)

1.If you could pick any of the current Muangthong players to join your side, who would it be?

None of them. I was thinking about Weerathep, but he’s just a poor man’s Kritsada.

2.With Chonburi placing so much emphasis on nurturing young talent, what is your take on the current trend of academy graduates trying their hand abroad?

Depends where they go. If it helps further their careers, I don’t see why not. However, I thought Channarong’s loan move to the Spanish 4th division was a complete waste of time.

3.Muangthong and Chonburi have the two youngest average squad ages in the league, where do you see both of these clubs in 5 years’ time?

Probably right where we both are currently. When one of our players seem to get good, the people running our clubs first thought is to sell.

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Tim (Chonburi) ask Rick (Muang Thong Utd)

1.Why are your fans so aggressive towards Chonburi fans? 

Must be the El Classico factor, but I get along fine with you.

2.This season who has been your best performer and why?

Has to be Picha. We look vulnerable without him. The value that he brings to the team in both attack and defence is priceless.

3.Will you sell out any games other than Buriram Utd?

Maybe games with Chonburi and Bangkok United, but I can't see any other match having higher numbers than Buriram Utd.

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Stephen (Muang Thong Utd) asks Rick (Muang Thong Utd)

1. Muang Thong Utd have played a diverse range of starting 11s so far, what's your ideal line up?

I kind of like a diverse starting 11, but Weerathep Picha and Mirzaev will always have to be there in my ideal line up.

2. If you could choose one thing for the club to improve on for the fan experience, what would it be?

I don't know maybe one or two lucky fans to lead the team out.

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With thanks to Grant, Stephen, Rick, Kevin and Tim