Dateline 25^th Feb 2018

 FT   NRFC 3 Ubon UMT United 1

Attendance; 9887.

Well let’s not get too excited, but a fine performance from the Swatcats that leaves them 4^th in the league table. After being stunned by an Ubon goal in the 17^th minute, the home team showed great determination and created chance after chance, being rewarded in the 29^th minute with an equalising penalty from Paulo Rangel.

The second half saw the Swatcats come out fighting and a well crafted goal from Antonio Pina gave them the lead in the 49^th minute. The men in orange continued to surge forward with further chances being created and their endeavours were rewarded with an injury time with a goal from Attapong Nooprom in the 95^th minute.

So let’s enjoy a bit of success. There is definitely an improvement in the performances so far. They were superior in all departments to Ubon in this match and if their home form continues to impress, there is hope of a decent finish.

Another reason to be cheerful is that the fans are coming back. The Swatcat average of over 10 000 is second only to Buriram and if they keep winning at home the crowds will surely swell.

Match Day 3 Stats

Dateline 17^th Feb 2018

 FT  Suphanburi 1 NRFC 0

Attendance; 7248

The Swatcats started with new signing Sarawut Masuk, his debut for the club.

The Swatcats had an early break in the 7^th minute when Cunningham made a point blank save. The ball was tapped in from the rebound but the goal was ruled to be offside. Despite early pressure from the home team, neither side produced a clear cut chance as a rather sterile first half came to an end.

Suphanburi went ahead in the 52^nd minute with an angled drive from Wasan Homsan but again in a half of few chances, it seemed that the single goal was going to settle it. The Swatcats became more adventurous as the second half progressed but despite several raids forward they were unable to pierce the Suphan defence.

Rangel had a rare chance to equalize in the closing minutes after a defensive error but his shot was parried by the keeper.

Another determined performance, there seems to be more fight in the team than last season. The lack of chances made is still a worry - I cannot recollect a single chance of note, apart from the Rangel effort. Masuk has made a difference in midfield and the defence looked in control most of the time but who is going to score the goals???

Match Day 2 Stats

Dateline 11^th Feb 2018

 FT  NRFC 1 Bangkok Glass 0

Attendance; 10787

An 80^th minute header from Ekkachai Rittiphan gave the Swatcats an unexpected but deserved 3 points over the much fancied Bangkok Glass in this campaign opener.

In front of the highest attendance in the league - yes more than at the Buriram match, this was a determined Swatcat team who fought manfully if not skillfully to overcome Glass.

In a first half devoid of real chances from the home team, Bangkok Glass manufactured 3 clear cut chances of their own and as the half ended one wondered if the men from Korat could hold out for a point.

Bangkok Glass moved up a gear in the second half and began to “boss” the Swatcat defence with some shrewd movement and crisp passing. The defence weathered the onslaught and following a period of pressure from the home team Rittiphan rose to head in to give the Swatcats victory.

Was the defence shaky at times? - Yes, did we produce loads of chances? – No, but the team did enough to convince me that survival or better may be within our grasp.

Well done the Swatcats a great start to the season.

Match Day 1 Stats

Season 2018 - a preview. What can we expect from The Swatcats in the coming season?

Well unfortunately, I expect more of the same and a repeat of last year’s limited accomplishments.

In terms of personnel, Victor Igbonefo has been a high profile departure but due to his lack of pace and marking ability I personally was glad to see the back of him. Port picked up a couple of players from us, Chakrit Rawanprakone and Athibordee Arirat who will make decent squad players for Port.

 The team has bolstered the squad with the signings of goalkeepers Samuel Cunningham and Todsaporn Srireung, stopper Lee Won-Jae, winger Yaya Kunath and Thai National Team player Sarawut Masuk, but these signings apart, I have real doubts about the team’s ambitions to “kick on” and the team’s ability to attract fans is a continuing worry.

Thai international Masuk’s signing offers a glimpse of hope and his presence will undoubtedly enhance the squad. If he can link with Pina and provide service for Adiyiah and Rangel we may well defy the odds and avoid the drop.

Our signings seem paltry when compared to other TPL teams who are investing heavily in new and better players. Even promoted clubs Prachuap, Chainat and Air Force have bought in real quality players - with a week to go until the new season, the Swatcats have not even filled their ASEAN quota spot.

Last season’s 12^th place was disappointing but it could have been worse - a late run seeing 7 points from the last 3 home games saw the team pull themselves clear of relegation woes.

This season the Premier League is shrinking to 16 teams at the season’s end leading to the relegation of 5 teams this season. My only aspiration for the coming season is for the Swatcats to avoid those 5 relegation places.

The fans expressed their disappointment with last season’s performances by voting with their feet but the management, seemingly content with the status quo, has made little attempt to improve the quality of the squad. I have heard views that the club would prefer to be a successful Tier 2 club pulling in decent crowds than a struggling Premier League minnow. I sincerely hope that this does not represent the future of this potentially massive club.

A top ten finish would be excellent but I just cannot see it happening. The squad is not strong enough and I do have doubts that Milos Joksic’s coaching abilities are enough to take the team to a higher level.

As ever “I hope that I am wrong” but I do continue to have serious misgivings about the future of the club. Go on lads…prove me wrong !!