rockingbuddhaBefore anybody gets all riled up, let me explain.

These are the names that I feel would have blended well together in this formation. They may not be the most loyal or consistent performers but it's their qualities as players I'm looking at.

The basic shape is that of a 4-3-3 but when a creative attacking player is played behind the striker (Sanjay, Ukit, Seba, and Giri all had a run in that position) and the two wide forwards track back down the wings (which is what Tun and Tae do all the time) then it becomes more of a 4-2-3-1.

Here goes...

GK - Wych
Simply because the few times Wych has played in goal for the BPL he's been brilliant. On a good day his reflexes are second to none and I'm still surprised nobody has attempted to chip balls over his head but he's managed to make crucial saves which has bailed out his team on quite a few occasions. He organizes his defenders well and his decision making skills compensates for his errr... lack of length.

DC - Anoop
If I remember correctly Anoop has only played three matches for us: one friendly and two BPL games. However, he is a very vocal and persuasive leader on the pitch. His reading of the game is excellent and for such a stocky player his pace and tackling are excellent. He tends to hold his position deep which gives his teammates the confidence to move forward.
Raffaele would have taken first pick as his coolness on the ball and the quality of his touch is amazing... but Anoop gets my vote simply because he had what our defensive line has been missing: communication and leadership on the pitch.

DC - Mea
What really impresses me about Mea is his enthusiasm. He doesn't pull out of tackles, he's strong in the air, and he keeps on driving his team on until the final whistle. He always puts his team first and despite the fact that he's always late (which can give any coach a nervous breakdown) he's very loyal to his team and will not tolerate any foolishness.

DL - Pot
Capable of playing on either side of the defense, Pot's rapport with Meaz and Tun brings out the best in him when he plays on the left side of the defensive line (as Tun and Mea tend to pass and move towards the left). He is contented to sit deep in defense (although he is capable of pushing forward) which counter-balances Mea's tendency to drift high up the pitch. He is excellent at man-marking and is not afraid to get stuck in. He has a high work rate and carries a professional attitude with him on the pitch. One of the most underrated players on the team.

WBL - Macdo
Macdo's movement and dribbling make him suitable to working on the flanks. He is comfortable on either side of the pitch and loves to get forward. This perfectly complements Anoops playing style since Anoop tends to hold his position and play deep. His crossing is good and his stamina allows him to move up and down the pitch. He would have been a good winger but those slots have been taken up.

DMC - Sukit
There is a warrior mentality about him that he carries around on the pitch. He's usually silent on the pitch and prefers to let his tackles do the talking. It is his aggression and defensive qualities that allow his more attack-minded teammates to press higher up the pitch.

MC - Giri
Here is a truly versatile player capable of playing in just about any position.
He's made the center of the pitch his own as his amazing stamina, ball control, dribbling, and passing skills make the players around him look good. A real asset to the team. What amazes me is how he manages to out jump much taller opponents and win aerial battles for the ball. Quality player.

AMC - Sebastian
Seba, Seba, Seba. If only he played more games. He moves like a ballerina who lives at Sizzlers... very graceful for his size. He's got a very delicate touch and his body strength allows him to hold off challenges on the ball. He likes moving into channels, creating goals, as well as making them which makes him the perfect candidate for a supporting striker/attacking midfielder role. He's scored 3 goals from free-kicks which he shrugs off as luck but for those of us on the sidelines who've watched his delivery... it's sheer class. Fantastic player.

AMR - Tae
He has to be the signing of the season.
When Tun dragged him into the team nobody knew how good a player he was. He's like the mini-me of Tun. The pace, the touch, the feints, the creativity and flamboyance, he's got them all. He's not the finisher Tun is but his boundless energy, confidence and selflessness is going to make him an indispensable member of the squad.

AML - Tun
What can I say. We all know what he can do. Amazing, amazing player. Despite all his abilities what really stands out is his attitude. He is very unselfish, helps both friend and foe, gives everything on the pitch every single match, and he never, ever gives up. He makes Bangkok Storm look good.
But more amazing still is his ability to switch off after the game and let bygones be bygones. I guess its his way of telling us that in the end, after all is said and done, it is just a game.

FC - Sanjay
What a revelation. The scrawny kid who has never played on a big pitch before is now terrorizing defenders. Give him two more seasons and give him more playing time to build his confidence and this kid will be ON FIRE!


---MY SUBS

GK - Tor
Agile and speedy off his line, he's a fantastic goalkeeper despite having moments of indecision and self-doubt. He always plays with a smile on his face and he's got a fantastic attitude towards his team. This is one guy you will want to keep on the team.

DC - Raffaele
What a classy defender. Any team would love to have him. His coolness on the ball coupled with a crystalline first touch would have also made him a blindingly brilliant defensive midfielder. Rafa was in the defensive midfield position as a deep-lying playmaker during our first match against Siam Celtic in the Casuals League and no one could hold a candle to his performance.

DC - Steve
It took him some time to settle and gain confidence but as the season progressed he's become a rock at defense. It's hard to imagine that this is the guy whose record for own goals might never be broken!

DRL - John
Fantastic attitude. Places his team above himself. He just keeps his head down and works his socks off. Underrated defender who is willing to play in any position.

MC - Vic
"V" for versatile. When he plays up, he scores. When he plays in the middle he battles for every ball. When he plays down deep he organizes the defense.

AMC - Nick
One of the most technically gifted players in the team. Long shots are his specialty. His ball control and dribbling is exceptional. However, I have picked Seba ahead of him simply because Seba is more adept at linking up with the midfield and wingers and drawing them into the game.

AMRL - Sanki
If only Sankimon played more often. He's a very direct player who is more comfortable running at defenders than playing short passing games. His pace, strength, and tenacity in hunting down the ball will make him a perfect ball-winning forward or winger.

FC - Tom
He's a natural poacher. He has creative teammates who should create situations that will allow him to lurk in a corner to bundle goals in. He might not be capable of scoring belters like Nick or make slalom runs like Tae or knocking in headers like Mea or finishing as emphatically as Tun but the fact remains that he is our highest scorer for our team in the BPL! He needs to play more regularly in order to build up his confidence because when he's having a bad day not even blindfolding the goalkeeper is going to help.

05.07.2010