TOT 0 NRFC 0  20^th Aug 2015

We head into the international break with two consecutive goalless draws behind us – unnecessary points dropped in my opinion. We have now only gained 1 point on our visits to the bottom three clubs. This fact, combined with our disappointing home draw with Chang Rai has taken the shine off our encouraging first leg performances.

Our performance against TOT was toothless and uninspiring. Make no mistake TOT are a poor side – 3 points should have been taken, but we lacked penetration of any sort and chances were few and far between. Our clean sheet was nothing to shout about either. To be honest TOT could not have scored in the proverbial brothel.

What has caused this drop in form? It could be that the lustre of our adrenaline laced launch into the Premier League has simply worn off and the soporific nature of our play is a consequence of this or it could be that the physical demands of playing in our first Premier League season has simply worn us down.

 Either way a disappointing and demoralizing end to the season will follow unless we can somehow remotivate the squad. Having said all this, a top ten finish is still within our grasp – and that in itself represents a fine first season in the top tier.

Season’s Trends - 16th August 2015

One of my themes throughout the season has been the fact that NRFC have generally beat those teams whom they ought to beat ie around or below them in the table and lose to those who are obviously superior to them and in the higher reaches of the division. This has led me to the conclusion that our 10-11^th place in the league is a true reflection of where we belong.

 Last night’s 0-0 encounter with Chang Rai was a classic example of the team doing “just as expected” and although it could be perceived as 2 points lost, it was a match we could not afford to lose.

However recently, the 2 defeats verses Saraburi and Navy, have of course gone counter to our previous trends – potential 4-6 points lost in my opinion. I suppose that the 4 gained points at home against the powerful Buriram and Suphanburi teams have redressed the balance, but I hope these losses will not prove too important come season’s end….. I for one would prefer the relative security of a comfortable mid table position………….so I can sleep peacefully at night!!!

NRFC 0 Chang Rai 0 - 16^th August 2015.

Pretty poor crowd ( 9000 odd I believe) but bearing in mind NRFCs recent patchy form and the atrocious weather conditions in the lead up to the game, hardly surprising. When are football stadia in Thailand going to get more covered accommodation?

Pretty entertaining and evenly matched first half. Chang Rai looked dangerous at times. NRFC attacking in numbers but unable to connect with final ball with the heavy conditions making the judgment of through balls difficult. Chang Rai looked pretty tight at the back

Second half NRFC dominated with some pretty enterprising attacking play and really should have scored a couple

Generally a pretty competent performance – defence rarely tested so our deficiencies were rarely exposed. A point’s a point but should have been 3!!!

Floundering.

Another disappointing performance and result at Navy at the weekend following a lucky home win against Suphanburi courtesy of atrocious weather conditions leaves us floundering outside the top ten. Our away form continues to disappoint – the loss at Navy, together with the recent defeat at Saraburi are simply not good enough – to gain no points from two out of the bottom three teams is disastrous.

Without our strong home form we would find ourselves fighting to keep ourselves out of the bottom three.

I am encouraged by the increasing use of Adido – I still think he could be a star performer, however his partnership with Lee Tuck has yet to yield real results and we appear to miss Lindemann’s obvious talent when they play together. I do wonder whether Lindemann could be played deeper behind Tuck and Adido, thus allowing all three to play.

A couple of morale boosting performances are now essential otherwise our early season hopes will quickly evaporate.

 Predictions -  Season’s End.

At the start of the 2^nd leg our minds are focusing on who will finish where come season’s end.

At the top there are three contenders for the Championship, Buriram, Muang Thong and Bangkok United. Buriram are currently not playing well and will drop points. This leaves the door open for the other 2 pretenders. Of the two, Muang Thong are an accomplished side and may rise to the challenge, but lack consistency. My dark horses for the title are Bangkok United – there is no pressure on them and they are well organized, crucially they know how to score goals, particularly away from home.

Relegation wise, there appear to be four contenders for the dreaded trapdoor of relegation. On current form TOT seem to be certs for Division 1 next season. Saraburi have had some decent performances and I think they have enough to avoid the drop. Navy are vulnerable in defence and are also favourites to depart the league.

Now, Port – name change, crest change, managerial shenanigans, another high profile, attention seeking prima donna leader, new personnel coming in who have to learn a new system – this to me is a primordial soup leading to ultimate failure and I feel their Premier League days are numbered.

Mid table teams are much of a muchness and one must look at potential to improve in order to assess these teams. Some mid table teams seem destined to be perpetual also rans, others with high aspirations and ambition may, in the coming seasons, challenge for honours.

In a seeming weak year in the Premier League, there is potential for less fashionable teams to make strides forward. I look forward to an intriguing run in and may the best team win.

Singin' in the rain

Singing in the Rain 2^nd August 2015

NRFC 1 Suphanburi 0.

 In possibly the worst conditions I have ever witnessed at a football match, a Lee Tuck stunner separated the teams. An unexpected and needed 3 points. To be fair the Swatcats adapted better to the monsoon like conditions. Suphanburi submitted to the conditions. If they had stuck to their task rather than moaning and groaning about the rain, the outcome could have been different.

A delicious Lee Tuck chip/lob was one of the few moments of class in an otherwise dour battle against the elements

 A great battling performance last night. Well done to the boys. We are real fighters!!!