New! Season Previews - 9. The Neutral: 2022

Football fan - and groundhopper - Rob Bernard looks forward to the new Thai league season.

1. Who are your favourites to win the league?

Dull I know, but I can’t see beyond Buriram or BG Pathum

2. Who else do you think can challenge?

I hope Port, but realistically Bangkok United or Muang Thong. Id love to see Nakhon Ratchasima do well under Kevin Blackwell

3. Who is going down?

I am no expert but surely the odds are against Lampang. Khon Kaen and Police Tero make up my pin sticker 3

4. Which team would you most like to see do well this season ?

Port. I go to lots of games at all levels as a neutral, but Port is the club that cemented my love with Thai football. They’re who I cheer for most.

5. Who will be this season's surprise package?

I’ve a sneaking suspicion it will be Lamphun. I saw them beat Chiang Mai last season and was very impressed. Though I would have given them a greater chance if they were playing in Lamphun rather than rattling around up the motorway in the 700th Anniversary Stadium. 

6. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?

Information could be much improved, although I personally don’t find it as bad as some complain about. If in doubt, go to the individual clubs Facebook page. I’ve never been totally stumped for an answer, but I am admittedly extremely low maintenance.

7. Which group of fans are you most looking forward to seeing?

Port at Muang Thong and vice versa would be good

8. What is your usual match day routine?

I don’t drive so I try to give myself time before kick-off when setting off by public transport, which can be an adventure. You never know what you’ll stumble across near a stadium as Thailand seems to be forever evolving, especially post Covid. I like a beer before going in and to soak up the ambience. I have a chat if anyone wants one.

9. Which are your three favourite TPL grounds?

PAT Stadium through natural bias, its closeness to the pitch, the surrounding district, the pop-up stalls on the street. The backdrop as the floodlights kick in. I simply love the place.

Thunderdome. I am not a hater, at least as I’ve gradually mellowed. Muang Thong is a great venue, again offering good viewing close to the action. I enjoyed the South Stand ultras under the flyover and having beers the twice I went last season. One of those games was with Port when I bought a ticket in the main stand towards the north end. The hospitality of the North Stand fans out the back at half time was second to none. I must confess I was in my red Scarborough shirt mind, rather than being in blue and orange! 

BG Stadium is another cracker despite being three sided. I get why the club fancy a move nearer Rangsit but it would be a shame if they left this iconic arena despite the awkwardness at times in getting back after a night match. I love the home and away ends. Being in the visiting section reminds me of the old kop at Bloomfield Road at Blackpool with its segregation and steep banking.

Notable mentions to the stadiums at Chiang Rai, Buriram and Ratchaburi. All excellent but the 3 I’ve chosen I’m more likely to be at more often.

10. Which new grounds are you most looking forward to visiting?

Any new ground is a thrill for me, from amateur football to internationals. Sukhothai would probably be my pick as I want to visit the ancient city at the same time, ideally with a game nearby to make it a double header weekend.

11. Which TPL grounds have you least enjoyed visiting?

Nothing particularly unpleasant anywhere, though Samut Songkhran was an accident waiting to happen going back a few years. While a novelty for a one off I would reckon the thrill could soon wear off.

12. It's easy for those of us who've been following Thai football for a while to become frustrated and/or disillusioned. Please can you give us a few positives to keep us interested

Just go with it and don’t get too wound up. Yeah, I get passionate at times in a stadium, but its not life or death. Enjoy the fantastic matchday experience. Have a laugh. Meet Thais and expats and have fun. 

It’s not expensive and at times the quality of matches reflects that. But I have also shelled out a lot to see plenty of dross watching England at Wembley and at league matches all around Europe. Try not to turn up with too high expectations.

I know this will massively polarise opinion, but I consider myself a guest in this amazing country. Its not my job to bellyache about owners or tell Thais how to do things. It won’t change much even if I did. Have a read of fans forums from back home. It’s a lot worse there and ridiculously more expensive. I seemed to spend twenty years back in the day writing in fanzines about corrupt lying owners. Its not perfect here, but what and where is? 

It will never be the same as watching football in our homelands so don’t try to compare like for like. And overall, I’m delighted with that. I’ve lost interest a lot in pro football back in England when previously I was extremely passionate. I’ve become sick of it all being about money. Head to a game here with an open mind, like when I took friends from Australia to the last couple of Port games last season. One at home and one away and they loved it.

Incidentally, the service all clubs offered me last season when buying online was excellent.

13. As a neutral, do you prefer sitting with home fans or away fans when you visit a ground?

Not too worried really. I’ve been in away fans with Chonburi, Tero, and obviously Port. I do not like the attitude of charging away fans more. That’s my only real gripe.

14. How does going to matches in the TPL compare to other countries in which you've watched football?

The matchday experience here is different to elsewhere, though I noticed copying of the ultras from Europe becoming more prevalent. I love sitting outside with beers in warm weather and mingling. And not being ripped off for the privilege, with beers outside a ground here being cheaper than in nearby bars. Contrast that with other countries. The atmosphere isn’t as menacing here which can be good and bad. I do love both teams going to the opposing fans at full time. 

15. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I think its important to remember that in relative terms professional football is still in its infancy here. Be patient and enjoy the ride. I have only been here permanently, (and no I won’t ever never live anywhere else all being well) since last December. I am taken aback by the amount of amateur and youth football being played and the number of clubs. The game is growing.

I would recommend any football fan tries to get to a local amateur game. The Thonburi and Bangkok Premier Leagues both give fixtures on their Facebook page. Its free admission, you see some good football and the facilities are better than you’d expect. 95% have clean loos, some cover and somewhere to grab a snack and beer or water. Failing that try out T2 and T3. 

Thanks for publishing my musings. I love both the football and my life here in Thailand. Please say hello if you see this funny shaped farang at a match. I do drink and laugh a lot.

New! Season Previews - 8. Chiang Rai Utd: 2022

Our latest season preview comes from Chiang Rai Utd fan, Alec Peeples.

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead?

I don’t have many expectations at the moment. We lost a few key players and our coach is MIA. Plus our half dozen new signings will certainly need some time to gel. I would think we can realistically expect to finish in the top half of the table. I’d be shocked if we are in competition for top 4 come the end of the season.

2. How have your pre season preparations gone?

Lackluster is really the only way to put it. Probably expected given the above points though.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures?

Tero, Lamphun, Nongbua, and Prachuap are all relatively favorable draws and starting off with at least 9 points should be the goal. However we had a tendency to drop points in these “favorable” games last season and given what I’ve seen from our opening friendlies I expect that to continue.

4. What do you make of your new signings?

I believe we have 10 new players and I am not familiar with most of them - perennial loanees and fringe squad members.

Our foreign signings do bring a bit of excitement. Losing Brinner was tough – I’ve long held that he was the most important player in our team - but the return of Victor Cardozo gives us something to be excited about. An experienced and vocal defender is exactly what we needed. Our other new CB, Diego Landis, brings a great resume but will need to prove himself. Olavio Santos will now try and do what many others have tried and failed – prove a worthy successor to Bill. 

5. And what about the players you've let go?

We lost some important players, no way around it. Brinner has been our best defender and most passionate player, Bill has been our only reliable finisher for years, Ekanit was our brightest young player, and Phitiwat was not only our star but also our captain.

6. Which players will have the most impact this season?

Sivakorn signed a big contract and was named captain in the offseason. I think he will need to step up and have a great season. A lot of our success will also hinge upon how well our new defenders gel.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be?

Literally any coach that could take over and put an end to Miti-ball would be good with me. If I need to put out a name why not Gama I guess.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners?

You’re the owner - focus on improving the club  and stop playing coach.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to?

The obvious – Buriram and Port are always great fixtures. I also look forward to welcoming the two newly promoted Northern clubs to Chiang Rai.

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to?

Again, the newly promoted Northern clubs will be fun as new away days. I always love going to Muangthong

as well.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits?

No release yet

12. Who are your favourites to win the league?

It is impossible to look past Buriram here. Dominant showing last season and they only seem to have improved over the break.

13. Who else do you think can challenge?

Maybe BG – Phitiwat is a great addition to a strong team - even still I think they’ll need a bit of luck on their side to be real contenders.

14. Who is going down?

Lampang will probably have a tough go. Nongbua will probably struggle without Hamilton. Other than those two I don’t think there are any other clear candidates.

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season?

Beating Port is always a highlight, especially at the PAT.

16. Who will be this season's surprise package?

I’m cheering for our northern neighbors Lampun to come up and finish in the top half.

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?

Where do we even start? Just the other day I visited the Thai league website and it is a disaster. Finding information is always a chore. Also stop with the early kickoffs!

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium?

Any team that brings a big turnout is always fun. Muangthong and Buriram come to mind.

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine?

I don’t have many superstitions. I just like to turn up early enough to have a beer and some french fries before lines get too long.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Best of luck to you this season!

New! New Shirt Teaser: 2022

The club has released the following teaser, and size guide, for the new shirts. They will be available to buy at the season launch party in Bang Sai on Saturday 6th August. Children's and larger sizes will follow. No prices have been announced.

New! Shirtgate - An Update: 2022

In yesterday's season preview for Ratchaburi, Neal Oliver expressed his disappointment in the club's policy of only admitting fans who are wearing replica shirts  Today, I am pleased to report a happy ending to the story. You can read Neal's statement below:

Statement by Neal Oliver

A happy ending story to supplement the Ratchaburi Blog.  Tanawat Nitikanchana, Club President of Ratchaburi Mitr Phol telephoned me today to discuss the club’s policy regarding the wearing of club shirts.  There are some very genuine reasons, which will be revealed in a public statement by the President in the near future.

As a result of today’s telephone call, the differences between Ratchaburi and the Hua Hin Dragons have been resolved.  We will travel to Saturday’s friendly with Prachuap, and buy this season’s season tickets before the match.

New! Season Previews - 7. Port FC: 2022

James Clarke is here with his preview of Port's 2022/23 season.

1.What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead? 

The general feeling is that it can’t be worse than last season. Which was the least interesting season I’ve witnessed as a Port fan. We were bad, yet not bad enough to really get sucked into the tension of realistic relegation danger. Our matches were uneventful in the main, the grounds in general and for Port games, empty and devoid of atmosphere. The pre and post match hampered by COVID rules. It can only get better. 

2. How have your pre season preparations gone? 

I’ve not watched but the results have seen us rack up a number of easy wins against opposition from lower down the league. 

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures? 

We’ve ended up with an opening four fixtures of Lamphun Warriors, Prachuap, Police and Khon Kaen United. With only the Police game away from home. Its about as good an opening set of fixtures as you could pick (bar the fact we always get beat at Police). The expectation would be to get off to a flyer, which makes it a massive banana skin. 

4. What do you make of your new signings?

Hamilton is the obvious big signing and hopefully brings something upfront we’ve lacked both in style of play and the number of goals he scores. 

Negueba I’ve been told has looked good in preseason and his past of playing for some of Koreas top tier lesser clubs is a sign of potential. 

Airton is more problematic, signing for the club having been sent off for spitting against us last season isn’t a great start. I also didn’t think he looked that great a player when l saw him. Hopefully he can win the masses over and show us why he was signed. 

The rest look like smart squad moves.

5. And what about the players you've let go?

A lot of people were shocked to see Siwakorn, having skippered the team last season, moved to Customs, who Pang has acquired. Whilst I was never as big a fan as some, I certainly feel he would have been of value as a squad player. 

Also making the same trip on loan is Kannarin, which seems bizarre. Having finally got his chance at the back end of last season, he looked to have established himself and was one of the few positives I took from the campaign. Both are too good for the second tier. 

6. Which players will have the most impact this season? 

Pakorn and Bordin always get mentioned here, as if either played at their full ability for the season they’d light the league up (equally we know they’ll be inconsistent). William is my choice great fun to watch with bags of energy. He also prone to getting into confrontations and already targeted by opposition players, they’ll be plenty happening around him this season.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be and why?

Which ever is most in need of a big pay off for a couple of months work.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners? 

Coach, none. Better to leave football to those who genuinely know it 

Owner, follow the above. You are not a football genius. Leave the day to day running of the club to those who know how to do it.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to? 

Anyone who brings a decent support is always a bonus. At the other end of the scale beating Bangkok United is always fun and it’s a nice trip into the city for the terrible lot from Rangsit. 

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to? 

Prachuap is always a nice weekend away. There after anywhere new or that falls right for a weekend away with a few of us going is a plus.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits?

Its not out yet but Ari’s training gear looks good.

12. Who are your favourites to win the league? 

Buriram, they were a street ahead of everyone in the second leg and the close season activity means l suspect the gap grows.

13. Who else do you think can challenge? 

BG are the only team who could but l expect they’ll be some way short of Buriram and equally someway clear of the chasing pack.

14. Who is going down? 

The newly promoted teams will all be getting mentioned along with those who finished the season poorly. I’ll go with Ratchaburi sadly. A nice club with a great stadium and ideally located for a Port away day but they’ve been dropping off for a while and l can see this season being the year it goes wrong. 

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season? 

MTU of course. Then the comic villians of Rangsit (BG and Bangkok United). Everything that is wrong with Thai football is at its purest out there.

16. Who will be this season's surprise package?

I’m struggling to come up with anything here. Sorry.  

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league? 

More advertising of the league locally. Fixtures out earlier. Free to air coverage and a highlights package. Basically more effort to grow the game and get the local football fan along to matches and engaged.

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium? 

Muangthong, its been too long with only one set of fans at the derby game. The owners and league need to let it happen and put in place whatever measures they feel are required. 

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine? 

None. I used to walk to the ground which was about 5kms but since moving I’m now pretty inconsistent and I’m not someone who does superstitions or believes in luck.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

Thanks and good luck.

New! Season Previews - 6. Ratchaburi FC: 2022

Today, Ratchaburi fan, Neal Oliver shares his season preview.

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead? 

I expect another varied season of results.   I hope Ratchaburi can achieve a top 10 finish, but turn that upside down, and I’m hoping to stay outside of the bottom 6.  Such is the Thai League – very little difference between success and failure.  A couple of injuries or too many suspensions can see a team fall into the danger zone very quickly, and it’s a long way back to safety.  My philosophy (too many years supporting Plymouth Argyle) is every game is a relegation battle until you have achieved enough points to be safe.  Only then can you relax and look towards a decent finishing position.

2. How have your pre season preparations gone? 

A very difficult question this season.  Normally I would have travelled from Hua Hin to watch every pre-season match, and would have a great knowledge of the team’s ability.  However, this season, my own personal morals will not let me enter a stadium imposing draconian admission rules. (For pre season matches, Ratchaburi introduced a policy stating that home and away fans wanting entrance to Mitr Phol Stadium, must wear their club's replica shirt - ed).

We can’t really judge a season by pre-season, but the results have been about what I’d expect.  Losing to BG Pathum, draws against other similar T1 opposition and hammering a couple of lower league sides.  It doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know.  I am hoping to survive to play another season in T1.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures? 

Muangthong at home will always be an interesting start to the season.  I would hope for a narrow victory, especially as I’ll be driving from Koh Samui for the match (shirt anomalies permitting).  The next 3 fixtures will be against ‘also ran’ teams this season.  If we can take 5 points from games 2 to 4, I think it will be a good omen for the rest of the season.  8 from 12 would be a very acceptable start, but anything less than that and we will have a few relegation battles to look forward to.

I am actually impressed with the way Ratchaburi’s fixtures have been put together this season.  They have got the home/away balance almost perfect with no excessive periods of constant home or constant away.  I don’t praise the Thai League very often, but well done.

4. What do you make of your new signings? 

Normally, I would be quite an authority by this point in the pre-season, but I’ve not really seen more than the players promotional videos.  Of course, they look good, but nobody will put bad bits into their promotion video.  I hope they are as good as their videos suggest, but I guess I’ll have to wait until 13th August to see the truth.

5. And what about the players you've let go? 

The biggy was Steeven Langil, who I’d been told was very unhappy at the club.  So, while I’m very sorry to see him go, it is no good working where you aren’t happy, life is too short.  I hope he does well, and doesn’t punish us on 13th August.  It should be an interesting battle, seeing him up against 2 of the league’s best defenders, Rafael Da Cunha Jansen and Pawee Tanthatemee.

Jakkapan Pornsai was a good servant (at his best when he was a Ginger), but wasn’t getting played after coming back from serious injury, so I just wish him well with his new team along with Phakhin Khamwilaisak.

Ekkalarp Harnphanitkit was a steady player, but was never going set the world on fire.

Daisuke Sato will be a HUGE loss.  Always gave 110%, and I will miss him.  I was disappointed when he departed after such a short period.

Sanrawat Dechmitr always promised a lot, but never really reached his full potential in my opinion.  I often wondered if his heart was in Ratchaburi.

Raja'ei Ayed Fadel Hasan definitely had some ability, but regularly tried the spectacular option, when the simple option was best.  I always thought his desire for the spectacular was a weakness.

6. Which players will have the most impact this season? 

There is no doubt in my mind that Rafael Da Cunha Jansen will be a key player again this season.  It is my honest opinion that his arrival half way through last season saved our place in T1.  He is one of the best centre halves I’ve seen in Thailand.  I hope the coach is working now to extend his contract.

We are starting with a coach this season, so hopefully Vanderley Dias Marinho will have some decent support when playing up front.  Many times last season, he was left alone up front, and was our only attacking option – it didn’t work.  Give the guy some support, and he can do a job for us.

Hopefully, some of our new blood will be as good as their promotional videos, and also be a great asset.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be? 

A very difficult question – they rotate so quickly, none has ever achieved any of the usual things an English football supporter would normally judge a coach by.  Even results, I don’t think I’ve known a coach last for more than 17 matches at Ratchaburi (I’m getting old, so maybe my memory fails me).  Results with an inherited team are not a good yardstick by which to measure a coach’s capability.

The coach who has impressed me most has been Marco Simone.  He took on a bunch of players whose spirit seemed low, and they had trouble putting more than 3 passes together.  In a short period, he transformed them in to a good footballing unit.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners? 

Don’t forget where you’ve put your suitcase!  Seriously, try to ignore any outside interference, and do the job you have come to do.  Hopefully you will still be here at the mid-season break, and can strongly influence any necessary additions to the squad, and make the team your own.

To the owners - Please consider football in the Western world.  It is coach continuity that brings success (decent players help as well).  Please give the guy a chance.  In the real world, a coach’s success is usually measured over 3 years.  If he hasn’t achieved some level of success in that time, consider looking elsewhere.  We must remember, our coach has inherited a team put together by somebody else.  If the team isn’t right, the coach needs to recruit the tools he needs to gain that success.  If he isn’t given that opportunity, changing the coach is not really a reflection on the coach’s ability.  The real failure is the person who put that team together in the first instance.  It is like the coach trying to unscrew a bolt with a hammer.  The coach has to be given the chance to get the right tools for the job.  If he fails after a longish period, then yes, he needs to go.  Please remember, it is the coach who has the professional qualifications to do the job, and hopefully that is why you have hired him.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to? 

Any game with a vociferous travelling support.  I sit behind the choir at Ratchaburi for the atmosphere – I’d love to sing along, but they sing in Thai.  This makes for a great atmosphere, and the only thing that can enhance it is when the travelling support is just as loud.  Unfortunately, Buriram are the only club guaranteed to provide this.

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to? 

Because of the distances from Hua Hin, travel to away games is often a challenge.  However, I have always promised myself a trip to the Chang Arena, and I hope to fulfill that ambition this season on 26th November.  I’ve visited many football stadiums around the world, and it is crazy that I’ve never been to Thailand’s premier stadium.

The one away game I always attend, even though I hate it, is the match at Sam Ao Stadium.  Away supporters get the worst view in any stadium in Thailand, and have to provide their own tin opener to get out of the sardine tin style seats afterwards.  An unlucky few always have to clamber under the framework of the stand to retrieve their shoes.  A really awful experience.  The only plus side at Sam Ao is you get a free ice cream at the turnstiles.

Visiting supporter accommodation plus stadiums not designed for football is a problem throughout Thai football.  Running tracks (are they ever used?) don’t help when watching football, and away supporters are always put behind a goal.  I didn’t travel much last season because of Covid, but one of the stadiums we chose was Chonburi.  OK, it wasn’t as bad as Sam Ao, but I drove 5 hours each way for a very obstructed view of the game.  Sam Ao is too small, so has few options, but most of these municipal type stadiums are generally less than half full.  A good example is Bangkok Utd – massive stadium, minimum support.  Surely, better accommodation could be found for visiting supporters, who are also charged top Dollar.  When considering travel, one of the first things I do these days is look at an overhead view of the stadium.  If municipal style, I try to avoid.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits? 

A very sore subject.  However, my woes from last season regarding fatboy shirts were overcome.  

One step forward and 2 steps back.  The day before the club introduced its strange stadium admission policy, the Away shirt was released.  It was Plymouth Argyle (sad, I know, but somebody has to support them) green.  I was thrilled.  I immediately ordered all 3 of the new kits without seeing the home and 3rd kit.  The next day, upon hearing the unusual admission policy, I immediately cancelled my shirt order, and couldn’t care less if they play in skins this season.  

12. Who are your favourites to win the league? 

I think it will be Buriram again.  I’m not a great fan of the cynical way Buriram have played in the past.  However, when I saw them last season, they were brilliant.  They played some beautiful football – something I always knew the likes of players in the Diogo era could do, but they always wanted to cheat the ref to win something they didn’t deserve.  If they carry on playing the way I saw them last season, they will be a pleasure to watch.  I don’t think any other team in Thailand will be able to match them.

13. Who else do you think can challenge? 

Season after season I am repeatedly impressed by the attacking style of Bangkok Utd.  However, they seem to go strong every season, but then just fade away when it matters.  However, I think this will be another season where the league’s elite 6 can only challenge, I don’t think they will be able to compete with a Buriram team who plays football.

14. Who is going down? 

As usual, I’d love to see PT Prachuap relegated from the top flight.  I can’t get the events of 2014 out of my mind – such events in football always weigh heavily, and I won’t/can’t forget.  However, I think they have recruited wisely, and will survive.  Likewise, I hope Ratchaburi have recruited wisely, and will be good enough to survive.  

My honest, unbiased opinion is I don’t have a clue.  The league has its elite teams such as (in no particular order) Buriram, Bangkok Utd, BG Pathum, Chiang Rai, Muangthong and Port.  The rest are there to make up the numbers, and with a bit of bad luck, any of them could be relegated, but likewise they could surprise us and actually challenge.  This is really a question that should be asked a few games into the season.

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season? 

That answer will always be PT Prachuap.  I’ve seen them play live many times over the years, but after the Hua Hin incident in 2014, I simply do not like them.  In all of the times I’ve seen them play live, I’ve only seen them lose once, and that was against Ratchaburi last season.  I hope we can capitalize on that victory again this season.

Outside of PT Prachuap, I just like to beat every team – no real preference.  Unfortunately, beating EVERY team doesn’t happen…….…. yet.

16. Who will be this season's surprise package? 

A very difficult question.  I don’t know much about my own team this season due to a self-imposed boycott of the stadium, so I’m not really qualified to answer this one.  However, it would be nice to see one of the new boys such as Lamphun Warriors take the league by storm.  Let’s see one of the elite 6 knocked off their perch.

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league? 

One of my biggest gripes is the Thai League’s inability to produce a full fixture list at the start of the season.  When they do produce fixtures, we have to wait for the regular changes.  It is impossible to plan ahead more than a couple of weeks because fixtures are changed so regularly.  Already, with the announcement of the first 3 fixture K.O. times, there has been a date change for one of Ratchaburi’s matches.  Does nobody talk to their counterparts?

I would also like to see more teams in the top level.  This is probably a throw back to my English origins, but it would make for a longer, more exciting season if there were more games.  Maybe a bit of additional gate money as well.

Maybe minimum stadium standards should be introduced.  OK, I guess there are already some standards in place, but the standards need to be raised to make watching football more comfortable, especially for visiting supporters.  Maybe the Thai League could use Mitr Phol Stadium as the measuring stick.

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium? 

I always like to see Buriram fans in the stadium.  There are always so many of them, it creates a great atmosphere.  Last season it was one of the few matches at Mitr Phol where there was a half decent turn out by Ratchaburi fans.  However, I would also like to see a lot more Ratchaburi fans in the stadium.  Last season (Covid restrictions) was a very droll affair.  No drums, no singing, no flags, no fun, etc.

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine? 

All Hua Hin Dragons start their matchday experience with a sausage roll, stop for a ‘posh pee’ en-route to the stadium and then pay homage to the Hua Hin Dragons beacon just North of Tha Yang on their way back to Hua Hin.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I was going to give a full explanation of the shirt debacle here, but have decided the problem is between me and the club.  It is probably not good to air dirty washing in public.  Sorry, guys.

New! Uthai Thani 0-0 Chonburi - Highlights: 2022

 Friendly

Uthai Thani 0-0 Chonburi

Uthai Thani Central Sports Stadium

Sunday 31st July, 2022

New! Season Previews- 5. Nakorn Ratchasima: 2022

Here's Russ John with his Swatcat season preview

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead?

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.

New! Season Previews - 4. Muang Thong Utd: 2022

Muang Thong Utd fan, Grant Aitken is next up with our 2022/23 season previews. 

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead?

I think it is a case of building on what we have without losing sight on the longer-term project of

developing the academy lads. It is a fine balancing act to give a clear path to youth players whilst striving to remain competitive. With that being said, I’d be disappointed if we let our top 4 status slip, and to be honest, I do think we have a clearer vision than Bangkok Utd who finished above us last year. I think 3 rd spot is there for the taking, but anything higher than that would probably require a colossus effort and a large slice of luck.

2. How have your pre-season preparations gone?

Having the facility in Korat probably gives us a slight advantage over most teams. Performances have been solid, but I am a little concerned that most players have only played 45-60mins in the friendlies we have had so far. The continuation of the 5 substitutes rules does mean that fitness is less of an issue than in previous seasons, however.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures?

We’ve got Ratchaburi first up. I’m not a huge fan of them and that is entirely due to one individual in particular! I’m confident I will get your support on that matter too, Dale. They are beatable and I think our recent record against them is pretty good so I’m expecting 3 points and a further 7 from Lampang, Korat and Sukothai.

4. What do you make of your new signings?

Shelling out on Ekanit Panya came as somewhat of a surprise. There’s no doubting his potential,

although I do feel he needs us more than we need him right now. That is probably a testament to the work Mario and his coaching staff have done over the past couple of years. I think it’s great that players will view Muangthong as a place to grow, it certainly wasn’t always the case under previous coaches.

The Korean U20 centre-back Hong Sung-wook was an astute piece of business. He’s Asian so can fill multiple quotas and as a loanee, we can use him sparingly whilst costing the club relatively little investment. I can see other sides copying this template in future transfer windows if it works out well.

Elsewhere, Kenyan international Eric Johanna has looked lively from the glimpses I’ve seen of him in preseason whilst 20-year-old Thai-Dutch left back Ronan Pluijman probably fits into the ‘One for the future’ category.

5. And what about the players you've let go?

There is a feeling of uncertainty with the departure of William Popp. He was a difference maker and somewhat of a talisman for us. He’s going to be hard to replace. I think it will take a collective effort from the front line to chip in with a few more goals and take more responsibility in the final 3rd to compensate for his absence.

6. Which players will have the most impact this season?

I’m hoping it is some of the fringe players. At 24 and 22, respectively, Poramet and Korrawich can no longer be considered rookies. It is time for them to start pushing for starting team spots and chipping in with a few more goals. With 5 substitutions available I also want players like Saharat, Theeraphol and Wongsakorn to prove they are as capable as the starting players. I think all teams need around 16 players of a similar level to be competitive.

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be?

Honestly speaking, none that I’ve seen since I started supporting the team in 2013 have had a philosophy as clearly defined as Mario. We play attractive and entertaining football made up primarily of academy graduates. You would have to go back to Jokanovic to find a coach with as much coach conviction in his methods.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners?

I’d tell Mario to trust his instincts, they’ve served him well so far. As for the owners, I’d tell them to move quicker. We are heading in the right direction but they could be quicker in responding to the head coach’s needs.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to?

Buriram, we lost twice last year so it is a matter of pride that we don’t lose again at home.

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to?

I work weekends, so I only get to make a precious few away matches. I usually make Bangkok Utd away but the away view offered up is pretty much an insult. Tero and BG are probably top of the hitlist, whilst I’m hoping one of the fixtures with any of the northern teams falls kindly for me, midweek during the cool season would be ideal.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits?

They haven’t been released yet. There are rumours that we may switch kit suppliers with Warrix being touted as a potential replacement to Shoot. I’m weary, however, that blue kit with the pink trim they produced this year for BG is awful.

12. Who are your favourites to win the league?

I think it should be Buriram. The new foreigners they have recruited are of a high pedigree. There are no guarantees, but if their new players are motivated and deliver then I can’t see other teams being able to match their level.

13. Who else do you think can challenge?

Probably BG 2nd , then I larger group chasing the places from 3rd -7th . I can see BG finishing closer to the 3rd placed team than top spot, however.

14. Who is going down?

Lampang doesn’t look to have invested, I think they’ll struggle. I’d quite like to see Nong Bua suffer from 2nd season syndrome and join them as well. I’d be mildly amused if they have spread themselves too thinly in trying to juggle two T1 sides. I also think Khon Kaen could struggle, their overreliance on Ibson for goals could be their undoing this season.

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season?

Buriram, that’s a given. We owe Khon Kaen Utd a good thrashing too.

16. Who will be this season's surprise package?

I can see Lamphun Warriors being this year’s Nong Bua. Chalermsan keeps his teams well drilled, even if his football is archaic and dull.

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league?

Change the FA president. Flip a coin at every major decision and it would make better decisions on the balance of probabilities.

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium?

Korat usually bring a solid gathering, it does help elevate the fixture to a certain degree.

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine?

I don’t believe in superstitions, but in regards to a routine I have my favourite area of the stadium I like to sit in. It’s nice to arrive up early and take in the ambiance, but as I mentioned, I’m pretty busy on weekends so that is a luxury I rarely get to experience.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I encourage everyone to get out and support their local club wherever possible. It makes me laugh when people complain that 200 baht is expensive for a ticket. If the football in England cost the same as a couple of shop-bought lagers, then stadiums would need to double their capacities. Fans in Europe and South America think nothing of turning over half their disposable income into following their sports team. If fans over here were more willing to make more financial and emotional commitments to following their team, then they might find their experience is dramatically more heightened than that of following their favourite EPL team from the comfort of their armchair.

New! Season Previews - 3. Bangkok Utd: 2022

Bangkok Utd fan, Svein Lorentzen weighs in with his season preview.

1. What are your expectations for your club in the season ahead? 

I really don`t have any. I don`t know if the new players will bring some excitement to the team. They haven`t done that to me yet, but I hope we will challenge for at least one trophy, but looking back at the disappointments from last few season, we might finish far off.

2. How have your pre season preparations gone? 

I don`t know. We normally play friendly games behind closed doors with no video, so not much to see except for maybe some photos after.

3. What are your thoughts on your team's opening four fixtures? 

Away to Nongbua might be the most difficult game in our first 6 games, so we might get a good start. 

 

4. What do you make of your new signings? 

As said earlier, none of them excite me yet. They have to prove themselves when the season starts.

5. And what about the players you've let go? 

We haven`t let go anyone I will miss.

6. Which players will have the most impact this season? 

I hope Heberty. 

7. If you could bring back one of your club's former coaches, who would it be? 

Mano! He is the best coach the club has had.

8. If you could give your current head coach one piece of advice, what would it be? And your owners? 

I`ll let the coach run the team his way, but I would tell the owners to find/build a new stadium as soon as possible.

9. Which home games are you most looking forward to? 

Buriram and Muangthong as they are the games with most fans every season.

10. And which away games are you most looking forward to? 

Since it`s a great stadium, and we have done OK there in the past, I will say Muangthong.

11. What do you think of your club's new kits? 

Only the 3rd kit has been presented. It looks OK in photos (see below), but they don`t make other than the home shirt in my size, so I don`t care much about away and 3rd.

 

12. Who are your favourites to win the league? 

Sadly I will say Buriram and BG. They spend a lot more money than anyone else.

13. Who else do you think can challenge? 

I can`t see any.

14. Who is going down? 

Lampang, Lamphun and Prachuap.

15. Which team would you most like to beat this season? 

Port, because I hate them, and Buriram, because I dislike them.

16. Who will be this season's surprise package? 

Port might finish 6th or 7th…

17. What changes would you make to improve the Thai league? 

Remove VAR!

Dates and KO-times should be known months in advance. The first games of the season are in only 11 days and we still don`t know the times!

Less changes to the season calendar. 

18. Which visiting fans are you most looking forward to seeing at your stadium? 

Buriram because they fill the large away end and they make noise.

19. What are your match day superstitions and routine? 

At Thammasat: Get there early (2+ hours before KO) and then sit and relax until the gates open. I always goes inside early to get my regular seat at True stand.

Away games: Get there early.

20. Is there anything else you'd like to add?

I hope that this season there won`t be any restrictions, and that fans will attend games all over the country. Also hope to see more friends again. Last couple of seasons many fans have stayed away or been hiding behind facemasks. I also look forward to meet new people, home and away.