Dateline 12^th March 2016

 NRFC 1 BEC Tero Sasana 0

The Swatcats welcomed the Fire Dragons to the 80^th Anniversary Stadium looking to open their points account and to attempt to spice up a rather disappointing opening to the season.

In front of an attendance of around 12 000 thousand fans (was not at the match so only a guess) the home team opened up their points account with a deserved victory.

The Swatcats started with Adiyeah up front in place of Marco Tagbajumi who was on the bench.

A disappointing first 20 minutes saw neither side make any significant chances. The home team’s passing movements were laboured and tended to pose no real threat to Tero’s defence with long speculative punts to Adiyeah being used to little effect.

A header from a corner that hit the Swatcat’s upright and luckily bounced back into the home keeper’s arms was the only real action in the first 30 minutes – a largely unspectacular start to the match.

A Lindemann shot in the 31^st minute seemed to “wake up” the home team and a flurry of chances resulted with pressure being exerted. Adido hit the upright in the 35^th minute as the Swatcats hunted for an opening goal and Chivuta struck a 20 metre shot a couple of feet wide after good work on the flank from Adido.

The second half saw the home team pressing forward and putting more pressure on Tero’s defence with Adido causing problems for the defenders. A Lindemann shot flew wide as The Swatcats began to exert almost constant pressure – surely a goal was going to come.

A welcome return for Prompong as substitute and almost immediately, in the 75^th minute Nagano rose to nod in a goal from a corner kick.

Tero broke sporadically and in the 81^st minute they produced a header that bounced off the upright and in the 85^th minute the home keeper saved well to preserve the home team’s lead.

In truth Tero looked a very ordinary side and I feel that a better side may have taken advantage of the home team’s performance tonight. Playing one up front does not look very convincing – I look forward to seeing Adiyeah and Tagbajumi linking up in future games.

A very useful 3 points however and on balance a deserved victory with the second half performance showing some real spirit and hope for the future.

Dateline 9^th March 2016

 Chainat Hornbills 3 NRFC 1

Unfortunately, I am unable to report on the first 15 minutes of the match due to the fact that “Junta TV” was being televised – when are the football authorities going to sort out this problem – apparently Chainat scored a goal whilst I was being forced to watch some irrelevant bollocks that only the most hardened of Thai citizens care a toss about – rant over!!!

Back to the match; Chainat made numerous raids forward and were unlucky not to be two up after some slack defending. The home team seemed quite tidy in midfield as The Swatcats strived to stay in the match. Possession wise, it was very one sided with the visitors offering little up front, two Nagano headers being the only threat to the home goalkeeper. In the 40^th minute, some desperate defending again foiled a Chainat raid forward as the Swatcats were forced onto the back foot

In the first 45 minutes The Hornbills looked a far more accomplished side with NRFC being fortunate to be only one goal down.

The second half began with an impressive move by the visitors with the ball skimming dangerously across The Hornbills 6 yard box. minutes later a Lindemann drive was inches wide.

Chainat missed a golden chance to go 2 up in the 50th minute and a minute later the Swatcats defence was breached for a second time to put Chainat two up. Adiyeah was introduced in the 56^th minute as the men from Korat converted to two up front. Chainat again began to dominate and were unlucky not to go three up in the 68^th minute.

Chivuta was inches over from a 22 yard free kick and he slotted home a 77^th minute penalty to ensure an exciting climax to the game and offer the hope of an unlikely first point of the season for the visitors. Tagbajumi was inches wide with a slick 12 yard drive as NRFC fought for the equalizer.

Chainat then added a third in the closing seconds to wrap up a deserved 3 points.

A more encouraging second half performance from NRFC but still a deserved victory for the Hornbills. If as, expected, Chainat are a standard “mid to lower” table side, The Swatcats, based on this performance, will certainly struggle to fight for a top ten finish – let’s hope for more polished performances in the coming games.

Dateline 5^th March 2016

 NRFC 0 Muang Thong United 1

In front of an astonishing 32 000 fans at the 80^th Anniversary Stadium, a decent and quick passing Muang Thong overcame a brave Swatcat team with a 37^th minute goal in this season opener.

In a repeat of the score in the corresponding fixture last year Muang Thong showed their class with their contingent of players from the Thai National team proving more than a match for the home team. I would note at this point however that NRFC looked a more polished and balanced side than at the start of last season.

The home team started brightly, spurning a golden chance to gain an 11^th minute advantage after an incredible run from Tagbajumi. Muang Thong however looked excellent going forward with quick passing and astute use of the flanks. They looked likely to score on a number of occasions but the home team defended doggedly. They produced a long range shot that struck the upright and in the 37^th minute a well flighted shot come cross drifted into the net much to the surprise of every player on the pitch!!!

The home team produced some useful attacking moves, with a long range shot tipped over by the keeper and some dogged defending preventing another shot but as the match progressed they seemed to tire allowing Muang Thong to gain more possession.

The second half saw the home team pressing forward leaving huge gaps for the visitors to exploit with Muang Thong happy to keep possession and protect their lead forcing the home keeper into a fine save in the 58^th minute

The Swatcat’s chances were few and far between with Tagbajumi forcing some great defensive work in the 60^th minute. The addition of Adido failed to inspire the home team to produce much but as the team pressed for an unlikely equalizer, the fans almost raised the roof when an 80th minute Lindemann blast shaved the woodwork and a Chivuta shot was well saved. Nagano then rose well to draw a first class save from the opposition keeper as the home team mounted a late rally. A Lindemann strike in the dying seconds flew inches over the bar denying the home team a first point of the season.

Positives to be taken: Tagbajumi looked a handful at times, the defence fought well and the general balance of the team looked useful and of course the wonderful support – if team members are not motivated by the atmoshpere at the 80 th Anniversary Stadium they should not be wearing the orange shirt.

Based on this performance, the Swatcats will have a respectable campaign. Losing to a strong team like Muang Thong is no disgrace. Going forward, I hope that team abandons the “one up front” strategy and strives to give Tagbajumi some support - especially for future home games.

As for Muang Thong, they looked like a top 3 team but I fear they will find it difficult to challenge for the top honour – their defending was shoddy at times and stronger opponents will capitalize on this.

Matchday 1 Season 2016

The Swatcats face a challenging start to the 2016 season when they welcome the talented Muang Thong United on Saturday 5^th. March, KO 19.00 hours. The visitors have strengthened their squad in the close season with one of their acquisitions being Chananthip. They will be looking to challenge Buriram United for the top spot and the hosts will be hard pressed to snatch a point in this season opener.

My Prediction: Swatcats 1 Muang Thong United 1

TPL 2016 My Thoughts.

Will anyone be able to challenge current champions Buriram United? I think not, they seem to be accelerating away, with some astute signings bolstering their squad. I feel that we need to watch out for Bangkok united. They have added to an already successful squad and seem keen to challenge at the top. Muang Thong belatedly raised the bar with the signing of the “Tero trio” however given Tero’s performances last year there is no guarantee that these signings will make much difference.

Other interesting questions to be asked are; how will the much modified Chonburi Sharks fare – will they maintain their top 5 status?  Can Nahkon Ratchasima build on last year’s successes and how will the promoted teams cope.

My tips for first, second and third;

1.Buriram United

2.Bangkok United

3.Muang Thong United

At the other end of the table, one remembers that last year’s 3 promoted teams all survived – due I feel to the rather poor standard of the TPL last year. The relegation battle this year will, in my opinion, involve Navy, Super Power Samut Prakan and perhaps the three promoted teams will struggle.

Many teams seem to have tried to progress with most bolstering their squads with new foreign imports. I suspect that this season will produce a real “slugfest” with “Battles Royal” in the struggle for top five and the fight against relegation.

Whatever happens, I hope that after the trials and tribulations of the close season, the TPL enjoys a successful year with competitive matches watched by bumper crowds. I fear however that many fans will have viewed the actions of the TPL board with disdain and will turn their backs on the domestic game in Thailand.

Swatcats - Prospects 2016.

The team has swelled its squad and has seemingly decided to completely change its attacking options with the addition of Prompong and Marco Tagbajumi . The imminent departures of Tuck and Adiyeah (TBC) are regrettable but in truth our goal tally last year was poor.

Our new signing Marco Tagbajumi looked pretty useful in the recent friendly against Ubon – he is a big bustling target man and just what we missed last season.

 I expect that Noah Chivuta will continue to be the powerhouse in the middle and if the defence, which had a pretty good record last season, can continue to perform well, I feel that an attempt to break into the top 5 may be an achievable if optimistic target.

In midfield, Bjorn Lindemann has undoubted talent and I hope that he is played just behind the strikers where his guile and ability to shoot from long range can be realized.

The team’s home record is an enviable one and if the fans keep coming (as I expect them to) this record will continue and if we can pick up more points away from home, our league position could replicate or better our commendable 8^th place of last season.

Whilst acknowledging that last year’s fantastic achievement of finishing in 8^th place will be difficult to better, to move further up the table should be a target. Personally and in reality, a mid table position would be acceptable – we have to remember where we have come from in the last couple of years.

It is absolutely vital that the team cements its permanent place in the top tier.

Quo Vadis TPL

It is exceedingly difficult to know where to start on this issue. It is easy to denigrate the TPL management – and I admit, I personally have been guilty of this. We are all aware of the mess that has arisen due to a “perfect storm” of circumstances that has put Thai football into a spin – indeed some say into an inexorable downward spiral.

The problems are well documented and considerable vitriol has been fomented in the wider football community but now we must look forward, accept the TPL board’s decisions – whether we like them or not and “get on with it”.

So “Quo Vadis TPL”. Measures must be implemented to reinforce the credibility in Thai domestic football. Any committee or leadership group needs a strong leader. The TPL board is no different. There is however another essential prerequisite of the board’s leadership.

The leadership should be considered impartial and immune from influence by money or wealthy individuals. Whether such an entity can be found in a country where influence, graft and deception is inherent is questionable.

Decisions made must have the successful future of the TPL (and by default Thai National Teams) as the first priority and not to satisfy the needs of self publicizing, wealthy individuals whose sole purpose for involving themselves in football is to massage their own egos and publicly express their own power and influence.

This in my opinion covers ALL of the current problems that the TPL is currently experiencing. A forward looking and “honest broker” wielding the power of a clear and precise set of rules could possibly drag the TPL out of the current quagmire……so let’s go TPL!!