New kit, new players, new hope?

It should be available next month. A fan video posted on Facebook (let me know if that link works, please!) shows several new faces including some foreign players. New blood is clearly needed so let us hope the new boys can improve the team.

Nonthaburi FC 1 Chamchuree 3 - highlights

I have to accept I made an error in my report - there clearly was a player offside for Chamchuree's third goal. It could be argued he was not interfering with play but I have never, ever, seen an official make that judgement in Thailand and clearly here he was gaining an advantage.

New coach

Nonthaburi have sacked coach Tapakorn and appointed former TTM Pichit/Chiang Mai assistant coach Somrak Rungsawang in his place.

While this move was a no-brainer given the obvious plight of the team and apparent insipid attitude of Somrak, I hope it's not used to paper over the cracks. No coach in the world can save a team that's way out of its depth and Eka need at least three, preferably double that, signings to refresh the team and push them up the table.

If we survive this season but things don't get better, I will actually make good on my threat to offer/plead with the team to work as coach, without salary and on whatever budget they give me. I can't do any worse and I'm confident I could do a whole lot better.

This is Thailand, anything can happen.

Nonthaburi FC 1 Chamchuree 3

Another disappointing defeat for Eka against a good Chamchuree side in a contest that served only to underline long-term problems within Eka.

Chamchuree's goalie makes the catch

Nonthaburi looked sleepy in the first twenty minutes of the game and it was this lethargy combined with one defensive error - caused by ball watching - that set up the visiting pink side with an early 0-2 lead.

It was only then that the home side galvanised and I can’t help noticing that we so often pick up our game when we’re losing and nobody expects us to come back. In other words: we play best when the pressure is off. I think this speaks volumes about the wilting confidence in the side.

Chamchuree’s third goal came in the second half when the entire Eka back line stood still and claimed offside when clearly there was no offside. The home side's consolation goal came from some strong pressure down the wings and was well-deserved.

This was the final game in the first leg of the season and in my humble opinion little has changed because conspicuous problems have not been addressed. We have no natural strikers, neither a big target man to attack crosses and corners nor a quick poacher. It makes me so frustrated to see wide players move to the touchline, look up and see nobody moving into the box.  Meanwhile the coach seems to think no touchline interaction is necessary until we are trailing by at least one goal and the back line lack work hard but lack coordination.

Ryan, Joe, Jelani: sadly, they can't help us now.

But there is hope: number thirty, Samart, has speed and dribbling skill,  our new long-haired midfielder Autthapon has a fantastic first touch and creativity, and midfielder Sarawut is good at long range passing. The squad as a whole look to have a good level of team spirit and have mastered basic breakaways and counter attacks. Though still lacking full confidence, it’s clear that the lads are developing in that area and are no longer afraid to take responsibility when they receive the ball in play. Most importantly of all, the team never give up or stop giving one hundred percent for the fans and the crowd respond in kind. With so much dedication from players and fans alike, nobody can write us off just yet.

Over the next couple of weeks the club must "wheel and deal" in the transfer market, presumably, without any cash to spend. If we can wrangle some loans or free transfers to bring in a couple of experienced pros or a hidden gem than we might just move up the table.

However if we do nothing or continue our tradition of utterly random swapping and selling, then we will probably stay rooted to bottom spot. The TFA have, I’m told, “not yet announced”(Thai bureaucrat speak for: “We haven’t got our s**t together yet”) if any relegation from the Regional League will take place this year.  I hate to say it but in its current state, I can’t see our club surviving relegation to  non-league. The future of Nonthaburi FC could be decided this coming fortnight.


Photo credits: Nhong Tim

Cause for hope 1: Samart, quick and able.

Cause for hope 2: New kid Autthapon

Cuase for hope 3: Sarawut's long range passing

Cause for hope 4: they drive the players on

Bangkok Christian College 1 Nonthaburi FC 0

Photos to follow, I hope.

Despite another defeat and another failure to find the net against a team that hadn’t yet won a game this season, there were actually some positives in this contest.

For one thing, the score could have been much higher. The Nontaburi side of just one month ago would have panicked and sliced at the many crosses shot into their area or clattered the advancing forward. This time around, the back line looked calm and collected under pressure. Likewise, the midfield are actually starting to spray some good passes both on and above surface level.  

For all the changes that have taken place at Eka this season, most of them not good, the underlying problem remains the same: the lack of a poacher with some pace who can smash the ball at goal.

But the supporters remain passionate and it’s now becoming clear that the squad are working hard to gel together and better themselves. Nobody can ask more.

Eka’s last game before the mid-season break is home to Chamchuree United (the re-incarnation of the original Chula United) next Sunday.

Eka have shown real improvement in their last two games. A 1-0 win oven Thonburi was followed by a 1-2 home defeat by Rayong last week but in both games, Nonthaburi have shown a more settled squad, better movement and greater confidence. We still won't be moving any mountains this season, but at least we can dream of picking up a few more points. Eka are away to Bangkok Christian College tomorrow.

The only good news is that we can't get any lower.
credit: thai-fussball.com