Kuala Terengganu: All participating teams vow to improve their lot when Super and Premier Leagues resume and the FA Cup first leg semi-final matches kick off.
2. Therefore better performance will not be automatic as they have to compete vigorously to beat their equally determined opponents.
3. Terengganu and Kelantan have their own problems before the 3-week break and are doing their best to overcome their difficulties.
4. JDT and Lions XII have improved their overall standings.
5. Terenganu did well against ATM and Sarawak away but dropped their form drastically after that. Even though they are said to have a balanced and depth team, they seem to depend on the same local and import players (both old and new). Even though they did not play in AFC Cup this season, they pointed to hectic schedule, lack of stamina, lack of focus, etc.
6. It is a different thing altogether when you don't have the choice and depth. Among the casualties this season are Pa and Medang who incidentally shone last season. This season they were either not in the squad or mainly warm up the bench. Manaf is another player who appeared only occasionally this season. If there are tired legs and minds, it is only practical to rotate/ change players with other promising substitutes. Or else, make sure the legs and mind of everyone - star players and small named but deserving ones alike- are sharp when the league resumes.
7. In the first round, Terengganu proudly and justifiably tell others they have the best defence record plus games in hand. In the last three to four games, disaster has suddenly struck - feeble attempts at goal, weak defensive discipline and ineffective midfield have reversed back some of the earlier gains.
8. Although it is still early to judge the new import players whether they are better or worse than their predecessors, already we could hear questions on the terrace - whether they have been adequately tested before selection or are they merely in due to tangkap muat? Hopefully they can prove that they are the best available, click well and get the goals for the remaining nine games.
9. But football cannot proceed just with hope alone. Some contingencies are worth planning for just in case, God forbid, they don't live up to expectations. The transfer window has been closed so it is now the time for Terengganu to really utilise who is available and capable.
10. The overall challenges for the team are 1) to what extent are they hungry for success? and 2) quickly show us you have the character of champions to bounce back soonest possible and sustain a champions' performance until the last game.
11. It will also be interesting to see how ex-T-Team-turned-football commentator, George Boateng will feature in his first stint as a head coach, of all the clubs, for TRW . Apparently he tried his luck with T-Team at the end of last season but did not land himself the coaching job for Titans. He did quite well as the club's player. What impresses us was he and Ibric still attended training until the final days of their contract last year even though they knew fully well that there was nothing for them in 2014. Apparently selected on the strength of his presentation, Bola Pantai Timur wishes him well. Likewise we also wish his predecessor, Steve Darby, well.
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