UHT Vana Nava Hua Hin City FC 2015

[Big Boy]

If they can get up to full match fitness, get to know their colleagues, perhaps learn Thai for, "Give the ball to me!" then I'm sure we're in for a treat.

With maybe a smidgen of Japanese thrown in for Sato.

I'm sure the selection problem is one the manager will be happy to have. After a couple of matches, it'll probably sort itself with injuries, suspensions etc.

I got the impression from yesterday's match that the Brazilians are going to suffer Peter Crouch syndrome i.e. the smaller Thais will be permitted to pull them all over the field (legally ), but if they put a single Thai hair out of place, they'll be rewarded with a card.

I must say, my son plays in a local league, and the referees there come across as very biased towards the Thais.

[Davy B]

Yeah, it is a tricky one isn`t it? The 4 foreigner rule was already known to Big Boy and the two of us have debated it long and hard already. I was looking for a reason why Lamptey and Stephens departed without so much as a whimper and this could be the reason we were looking for. Too many foreigners in the squad!! Shota was the best keeper in the League last season but the new guy looks very competent and will push him for the jersey. Likewise Lamptey and Stephens were automatic starts and would walk straight into most teams, but alas it is not going to be in ours, which puts an added pressure of the new foreign players to be better than what was here last season. All the things I felt we needed last season could very well be realised by the new guys and things are definitely going up a level. Big Boy informed me yesterday we could very well have a League Cup game at Fort Thanarat, probably against Samut Sakhon, in about 9 days time so if another friendly can be arranged for this weekend it could be beneficial to the team building process and the language barrier problems that have arisen. He also told me the guy with the dodgy moustache is an interpreter and not another player. No doubt we are going to need another one, if and when Solano arrives, and they can form their own 5-a-side team for a practice game!!

[Big Boy]

Shota was the best keeper in the League last season but the new guy looks very competent and will push him for the jersey.

What new guy? The second stream keeper was brought in last season to replace Shota, but he isn't in the same class. I think he managed a couple of matches, but Shota was very quickly restored between the sticks.

[Geordie Dancer]

Does anyone know the exact location of the training ground in Hua Hin. I understand it is near the old immigration office on the canal road but not sure where.

[Big Boy]

Travel North on the Klong Road until you see a large water tower on your left. Turn left over the bridge just before the tower. Training ground is a few hundred yards on your left.

[Big Boy]

Quote from the club today:

We also should have good news regarding to the head coach position as well. I think we should be able to unveil him not later than March 2.

[Sabai Sabai]

I see we've announced the signing of a Japanese striker, Sato from Petchaburi. Still can't post links but it's on the club's Facebook page.

Bik Dam is quoted in the article singing the guys praises, has been a fan since first time he seen him play against us etc. Unfortunately BB, I know you like Shota(our Japanese goalkeeper) but he also mentions that perhaps we'll need to play with a Thai goalkeeper with regards the limit on foreign players.

I can't be bothered searching for the original link, it was in Thai anyway but it's on the club's Facebook around the 19th January when we signed Sato.

I'm sure the selection problem is one the manager will be happy to have. After a couple of matches, it'll probably sort itself with injuries, suspensions etc.

I'm sure we will no doubt end up with injuries and suspensions as the season goes on but I think Shota's appearances will start to become more and more limited now. Sato is impressing me more and more every game I've seen him play and the way he was linking up with the Brazilians at the weekend leads me to think we'll get the best out of him with good players around him(the Brazilians)

Obviously we've not even seen the 3rd Brazilian, Paiva, the defender play yet but assuming he's good, I'm pretty sure we will play all 3 Brazilians + Sato when they are all fit and available to play. Leaving no room for Shota.

It seems a shame as he's not done much wrong, the other thing is I get the impression he is a "big character" in the dressing room/on the park. Sometimes you need characters like that in your team, as much as I like the look of Sato, he does not fit that description from what I've seen. Nor would I be confident, at least initially with the obvious language problems, that any of the Brazilians are going to be.

For me our number 35(Kanchit?) is one of the main characters of the squad now, he can play as well so for those reasons I'd have him in my team. He's not been first pick this season so far though.

I think assuming everyone is fit and available we should be building a team around the following players:

Kanchit, Paiva + Pu across the back
Lucas + Wongsawad in the middle
Andre + Sato up top

Obviously Sato seems pretty comfortable playing on the left of midfield as well so perhaps he'll be dropped back allowing another striker to link up with Andre. I like Anucha actually, if he's fit and sharp he could forge a good partnership with Andre. The problem is he doesn't look fit + sharp too often these days!

It will be interesting to see how it pans out and I'm looking forward to finding out!

[Geordie Dancer]

Travel North on the Klong Road until you see a large water tower on your left. Turn left over the bridge just before the tower. Training ground is a few hundred yards on your left.

Thanks

[Big Boy]

I see you found it OK - you're on their Facebook page today

[Geordie Dancer]

Yes BB, I found it, your directions were spot on, thanks again, Was just out cruising around on my bike and just went up there on the off chance. Fortunately, they had just started training. I watched for just under 2 hours and must say, that as with most things I have seen associated with the club in my short time so far, I was impressed. These boys are fit! It was really hot this afternoon and they never stopped all the time I was there. It took me back to the good old days at the "toon", not that long ago when KK and Sir Bobby were there when thousands used to go and watch them train at Chester-le-Street (now Durham County Cricket Ground) and Durham. Now unfortunately nearly everything is behind closed doors.
As for the squad most seemed to be there and taking part. I don,t know all their names yet so will have to refer to some by their numbers. No. 6 who I thought was outstanding in the first 2 games, before getting injured, looked to be back to fitness. Even in this session he did everything at pace and as he has done in the matches, never stopped running. Anucha looked sluggish in the stamina training but seemed to come to life once they started playing football. The 2 Brazilian twins looked to be up to speed with the thai players but Andre only trained and did not play football. It looked like he had a slight foot problem. May have been nothing more than blisters from running on the hard ground. Lucus did play in shooting routines and was scoring from everywhere. Most impressive. Finally, Diego, trained ok but looked to be flagging compared to the other two, but that could have just been down to the heat. He played ok in the practice game. Certainly looks to be a footballing centre back and read the game well. A good afternoon out!

[Big Boy]

I've been down there a couple of times this (close) season, but have never been fortunate enough to catch them training. No. 6 is Wongsawad by the way.

[Geordie Dancer]

I've been down there a couple of times this (close) season, but have never been fortunate enough to catch them training. No. 6 is Wongsawad by the way.

Must have started about 4pm today

[Chazz14]

Hi BB,

A question for you...

If Hua Hin FC were playing in England this season, which league would they be in?

[Big Boy]

4pm? Must be late risers

Whenever I've seen them train, it has been before my son has played on the pitch, so I guess you are right. Give them their due, Hua Hin City have always been community spirited in that respect, providing pitch, balls and officials (actual players were detailed off to act as referee and linesmen) for matches he has played in there.

[Big Boy]

Hi BB,

A question for you...

If Hua Hin FC were playing in England this season, which league would they be in?

I honestly don't know. I used to think the standard of football was better than I used to see at Home Park. However, the arrival of the Brazilians has made me think again. AFAIK, the best of the 3 Brazilians couldn't hold down a place in a team in the 6th tier of English football, yet for the 30 minutes I saw them play on Sunday, they will be a force to be reckoned with in Thai League 2.

There is no doubt that Thai footballers are very skillful. English footballers are generally larger, and the physical side is more prominent. There is also the heat factor.