Progress Post 2015

For me the important aspect of a team’s future potential is progress. NRFC are now in a difficult position. Two recent promotions have thrust the team into the top tier and now an impressive 8th place finish in their inaugural season has put massive pressure on the owners of the club and the team’s coach Kambe to improve

To Improve and thus demonstrate progress next season will be a big ask. Progress to me would be pressing the top 5 teams and ultimately a top 5 finish. Achievable? Maybe, but for me it’s all about aspiration and expectation. The club is in a good place – fantastic support and the nucleus of a good squad.

The million dollar question is “What has to be done to achieve progress?”

My opinions are:

·         Change of coach – has Kambe taken the team as far as he can. I for one think Kambe should be kept on as long as the club progresses. He has been under scrutiny in certain circles who question his coaching credentials.

·         Sort out the striking strategy. There was a worrying trend towards the end of the season – a distinct lack of goals. I personally we need a tall rangy striker to take full advantage of crosses into the box – Tuck, Chivuta, Malek and Lindemann are all capable of putting in quality crosses – at the moment who is going to score from these crosses. In our current formation, Lee Tuck either plays deep (too deep at times) or finds himself wide on the flanks, Lindemann is a quality player but he is not a striker. His best role is to play in the hole behind the strikers. Adido is rarely given a long run. So who exactly is our traditional striker who will deliver 20 plus goals per season?

·         Get in a specialist coach to organize the defence.

·         Play Adido or get rid of him. He is currently taking up one of our farang spots. I think he has great potential but if he is not a regular starter…

·         Be ambitious in approaching quality Thai players – give players the chance to play in front of 20 000 fans in a nice facility for an ambitious club. I think Chanathip should be a target.

One can only hope that the support holds up – I personally think it will. The home fans and great atmosphere at the stadium are surely worth a handful of points each season. I am optimistic for the club’s future and my opinion is that we have a fairly decent squad. This year’s experience in the Premier League must surely have benefitted the players and now we have had a decent season, confidence should be sky high. Top 5 may be beyond us with the current squad but with a couple of astute acquisitions, who knows?

Dateline 13^th December 2015

Muang Thong United 2 NRFC 2

The SCG Stadium welcomed NRFC hoping that the home team could complete the double over the Premier League newcomers The Twin Qilins outplayed the Swatcats in the season opener at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium so a home win was certainly on the cards.

Amazingly for an end of season “not much to play for” match there appeared to be about 1000 Swatcat fans present

The first half began with 2 early chances for the home team in the first 6 minutes with the away team’s defence looking very square.  A 30 yard snorter put the Swatcats ahead inside 10 minutes but minutes later very slack defensive work led to a Muang Thong equalizer.

Adido continued to look sharp as he rasped a low shot inches wide but this aside, the away team was not offering much up front.

The homes team’s attack looked dangerous and at times were afforded too much space in the final third, with the assistant referee’s flag saving the men in white on several occasions.

In the 33^rd minute, the home team sliced effortlessly through the Swatcats defence to make it 2- 1 – Muang Thong showing real class when moving forward helped it has to be said by some very naive defending.

Adido missed a sitter from 5 yards on the stroke of half time sending his header inches wide of the upright as an incident packed first half drew to a close with the home team 2-1 up.

The second half opened with a Chivuta snap shot going wide. A couple of impressive moves forward resulted in a further couple of long range shots from the men from Korat. Muang Thong continued to look dangerous but Adido equalized with a 12 yard drive in the 58^th minute – he certainly has impressed on one of his rare stars for the team. The Swatcats definitely were beginning to dominate and had the better of the second half and in truth apart from a Cleiton chance Muang Thong offered little as the Swatcats pressed

Nagano was sent off for his second seemingly tame blocking tackle but the 10 men fought on as

Lindemann fought off 3 challenges and hit a dipping shot inches over.

In conclusion, a very creditable draw against a classy Muang Thong outfit and a great way to draw the season to a close.

Dateline 9^th December 2015

NRFC 1 Si Saket 0.

A sparse crowd (maybe 11-12 000 fans present, including pretty strong support from Si Saket) witnessed the latest Isaan derby.

The Koupreys arrived to graze on the lush 80^th Anniversary turf and in a rather lacklustre first half had arguably slightly the better of the first half, breaking dangerously at times. The home team was rather limp in attack and one was again forced to ask “Where are the goals coming from?”

 A sharp header in the 10^th minute drew a fine save from the Si Saket keeper but this chance and a rasping shot from Lindemann apart, the Swatcats created few clear cut chances.

 The first session drew to a close in this typical end of season “nothing to play for” encounter with neither side able to break the deadlock.

The second half saw the introduction of Adido. He added some vitality to the Swatcats attack and at risk of repeating myself, we must give Adido a prolonged run next season – he is undoubtedly talented and has pace but with him being in and out of the team he has failed to make a marked impression. Memo to Coach Kambe!! “Adido must be the first name on the team sheet next season!!”

With Noah Chivuta marshalling the middle of the park with strong support from Lindemann, the home team created a couple of half chances and began to exert some pressure. This pressure culminated in a well taken Adido header, celebrated in fine style by the Ghanaian.

In conclusion, not a pulsating match but 3 points gained that have cemented the Swatcat’s fine 8th place in the Premiership. Again, as in previous matches, the team found goals hard to come by, but full marks to the defence who seem to have upped their game somewhat – they have certainly plugged some of the early season gaps.

Dateline 6^th December 2015

 Bangkok United 3 NRFC 0

Bangkok United, chasing an improbable AFC Champions League spot took on 8^th place NRFC in the capital. Bangkok United were, in my judgment the best side to visit the 80^th Anniversary Stadium this year, gaining an emphatic victory in the corresponding fixture earlier in the season.

There was a strong contingent of fans from Korat, who probably outnumbered the home fans – what a pity such a talented team should play before such paltry numbers of fans – average attendance under 3000 fans!

A cautious start from both teams with Korat making some useful sorties forward but relying too often on speculative long balls aimed at Lee Tuck. Bangkok did not show much early doors but I suspect there is a lot more to come later.

A bad miss by the home team from a 6 yard header following a corner kept the scores level but after some pressure, Jojo scored a smart goal in the 32^nd minute to give the home side the lead. A minute later a reckless challenge by T May T led to a red card being brandished and the men in white reduced to 10 men.

Swatcats continued to probe and probably had slightly the edge during the first half and were a little unlucky to end the half one down.

The second half began with a lot of midfield sparring with neither side able to stamp real authority on the game. A great save from the Bangkok keeper – indeed a “superrrsave” in the 54th minute prevented an equalizer from the men from Isaan. Minutes later a snap shot from Noah Chivuta stung the palms of the home teams keeper as NRFC continued to test the Bangkok defence. Moments later, a Lee Tuck angled shot shaved the upright and in terms of clear chances the Swatcats should have been ahead in this encounter.

The home side countered when Jojo launched a great low volley which flew inches wide.

A 77^th minute penalty, with a further penalty 2 minutes later being placed wide and an 85^th minute strike sealed the points for the home side.

Bangkok undoubtedly has some classy individuals in the side but seemed to stutter tonight – hardly a heavenly performance from the Bangkok Angels but a vital 3 points gained - a slightly flattering score line I think.