Dateline 23rd April 2017 – Match day 10.

 FT Suphanburi FC 4 NRFC 0

The Swatcats took on the War Elephants of Suphanburi in this mid table clash. The visitors had a dreadful start when a defensive error let in Chananan who drove in on 5 minutes to put the hosts one up. Matters got worse in the 17^th minute when a free kick found Dellatorre unmarked in the box - he simply lobbed the ball over the keeper into the net. 4 minutes later more schoolboy style defending allowed Madrigal to prod home the third.

With the game virtually all over after 20 minutes and the visitors managing only sporadic raids forward, Suphan added to the Swatcats woes with a fourth in the 44th minute when a completely unmarked Nicolas Velez tapped in from 6 yards – one has to ask, where was the bloody defence!!

The Swatcats mustered only one first half chance when Adiyiah drew a fine save from the Suphan keeper in the 40^th minute.

A humiliating first half against a far from convincing Suphanburi outfit. The visitors looked shell shocked as they left the field at half time.

With Suphan taking their foot off the gas, the Swatcats regained some composure in the second half - although to be fair, it was simply damage control. A long range free kick which stung the visitor’s keeper’s hands as Suphan looked for a fifth and a Pina drive in the 59^th minute were the highlights but in a half of little consequence neither side impressed.

One can put no gloss on it, another pretty ordinary performance. I’m trying hard not to overreact but I see little reason for optimism. We have now won 2 out of the first 10 games - one of which was against Superpower - a team already destined for Tier 2 oblivion.

A top ten finish is now off the wish list – bottom 5 with a forlorn hope that there are 3 weaker teams below us, is now the reality.

I am no tactician and my depth of knowledge of the finer points of the game is weak but I have 2 observations. Victor Igbonefo is not up to it at this level - he looks out of his depth and we will continue to leak goals if he remains - act now Milos. Secondly if we do not acquire a big target man to compliment an obviously talented Adiyiah we will not score many goals. Velkoski may be a good player but he does not fit the bill for our requirements.

A situation where a team leaks goals and cannot score is a recipe for disaster. If massive measures are not taken now, I fear the worst!!

Our next game is against is against an in form Bangkok United. I dread to think what the score might be………….. and I wonder how empty the 80^th Anniversary Stadium might be !!

Match Day 10 stats