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!!

TPL problems to be resolved Jan 2016.

Presently there are problems with the future of the following teams;

•          BEC Tero - fielding an illegal foreign player.
•          Port - awaiting decision on number of teams in the TPL.
•          TOT - making court case concerning relegation of 3 teams.
•          Police - insufficient funds.
•          Sukhotai - awaiting decision on floodlight failure.
•          Nahkon Pratom - awaiting decision on floodlight failure.
•          Saraburi - threatening to leave if no owner found.
•          Udon - potential takeover of Pattaya United.
•          Pattaya United - future ownership in doubt.

Does anyone think that all of these cases can be resolved in less than  6 weeks when the new season is scheduled to start? I don't!!

Madam Pang "I didn't know about the TPL expansion - honest"

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R.I.P TPL; Lions led by donkeys

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TPL board meeting to discuss how to spend their bribe money,

Decisions that the TPL should have made.

·         Keep the TPL at 18 teams.

·         Tero lost their court case – relegate them.

·         Port  - relegate them

·         TOT – relegate them

·         Sukhothai floodlights failed – award 3 points to Nakhon Pathom.

·         Police, Pattaya and Nahkon Pathom promoted.

Job done – credibility maintained. It’s not rocket science is it? If any team disagrees with these decisions, it should be suggested that they bugger off and play elsewhere.

THE TPL situation – my thoughts.

Recent events in the TPL have made a complete mockery of Thai domestic football. In an institution littered with past controversial events, this latest debacle, the culmination of lack of decision making regarding the Sukhothai v Nahkon Prathom floodlight failure issue and the fielding of an illegible substitute in a match involving BEC Tero has led to the present farcical situation.

Added to this the potential relegation of 2 established teams, the owner of one threatening to sell or close the club has added spice and one is forced to ask how have these decisions been prompted.

Port, one of those due to be relegated have been voraciously swallowing up top stars, which then begs the question “Did they know, or were they in cahoots with the TPL, about ant potential decision?”

How can a governing body be so inept and out of touch with what most fans want?

 I am prompted to say that money and the dark hand of influential individuals could be responsible. The TPL management has simply lost control of a league which is still in its infancy and is beginning to blossom.

As a fellow football pundit stated “Why play the matches?” if at season’s end teams are not relegated as they deserve or denied a promotion that they have earned.

One day on, after the fateful TPL meeting, at which it was decided to expand the TPL to 20 teams for 2016, we are still none the wiser as to the teams who will be at the top table next year.

 With Buriram, Ratchaburi and Chonburi representatives leaving the TPL board, the fear is that cracks and fissures are developing in the Thai football family.

What a mess – The clubs, fans and sponsors deserve better. Will they ever get it….I think not.