PHUKET: Under-the-hammer Phuket FC coach Panipol Kerdyaem believes his team can win the three points they need in Wednesday's crucial derby - and keep him in the job.
The rare midweek meeting against Krabi FC poses such a huge test that Phuket FC Chairman Pamuke Acariyachai felt obliged to urge fans to stay calm.
Khun Pamuke, on a visit to the US, defended coach Panipol when irate Phuket fans corralled Phuket officials on the pitch after the 2-2 home draw against Ranong nine days ago.
At the weekend, Phuket sacrificed a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with lowly Trat FC away. With four draws in a row - some of them with Phuket in a winning position - fans will want a win.
Can the mid-week fixture get any tougher for coach Panipol and Phuket FC?
The beleagured coach told Phuketwan today that his hopes remain high - even though six leading Phuket players, including star striker Dudu - may be on the sidelines with injuries.
''Win, lose or draw, my future will depend on the Phuket FC management team,'' the coach said.
Phuket are in fifth spot on the Division One ladder and risk falling off the pace for promotion to Premier League if they fail to win on Wednesday.
Krabi, in eighth spot, also have plenty of reasons to want to beat their close neighbor.
''Although we have some good players in doubt, I expect the three points,'' coach Panipol said today. ''I am not stressed.''
Chairman Pamuke nevertheless called from San Francisco via the club's Facebook page for the Phuket fans to behave in a sporting way.
''Follow the example of Trat fans,'' he said. ''They were 2-0 down against Phuket and they fought back to score a 3-3 draw.
''Enjoy the struggle and accept the outcome, good or bad,'' he implored.
With Krabi fans also likely to turn out in numbers, security is likely to be improved at Surakula Stadium in Phuket City to prevent a repetition of the Rayong match blockade.
The Phuket-Krabi match begins at 6.30pm on Wednesday. Admission is 100 baht for adults and a bumper mid-week Phuket City crowd is expected.
Round 12 Trat FC 3-3 Phuket FC
Round 11 Phuket FC 2-2 Rayong FC
Round 10 Ayutthaya FC 1-1 Phuket FC
Round Nine Phuket FC 1-1 Singh Tarua FC
Round Eight Airforce 2-1 Phuket FC
Round Seven Phuket FC 1-0 Khon Khaen FC
Round Six Nakhom Pathom 0-0 Phuket FC
Round Five Phuket FC 1-0 Ratcha Navy FC
Round Four TTM Lopburi FC 0-1 Phuket FC
Round Three Phuket FC 3-1 Sriracha Suzuki FC
Round Two Phuket FC 2-2 Bangkok FC
Round One BB-CU FC 1-1 Phuket FC
The rare midweek meeting against Krabi FC poses such a huge test that Phuket FC Chairman Pamuke Acariyachai felt obliged to urge fans to stay calm.
Khun Pamuke, on a visit to the US, defended coach Panipol when irate Phuket fans corralled Phuket officials on the pitch after the 2-2 home draw against Ranong nine days ago.
At the weekend, Phuket sacrificed a 2-0 lead to draw 3-3 with lowly Trat FC away. With four draws in a row - some of them with Phuket in a winning position - fans will want a win.
Can the mid-week fixture get any tougher for coach Panipol and Phuket FC?
The beleagured coach told Phuketwan today that his hopes remain high - even though six leading Phuket players, including star striker Dudu - may be on the sidelines with injuries.
''Win, lose or draw, my future will depend on the Phuket FC management team,'' the coach said.
Phuket are in fifth spot on the Division One ladder and risk falling off the pace for promotion to Premier League if they fail to win on Wednesday.
Krabi, in eighth spot, also have plenty of reasons to want to beat their close neighbor.
''Although we have some good players in doubt, I expect the three points,'' coach Panipol said today. ''I am not stressed.''
Chairman Pamuke nevertheless called from San Francisco via the club's Facebook page for the Phuket fans to behave in a sporting way.
''Follow the example of Trat fans,'' he said. ''They were 2-0 down against Phuket and they fought back to score a 3-3 draw.
''Enjoy the struggle and accept the outcome, good or bad,'' he implored.
With Krabi fans also likely to turn out in numbers, security is likely to be improved at Surakula Stadium in Phuket City to prevent a repetition of the Rayong match blockade.
The Phuket-Krabi match begins at 6.30pm on Wednesday. Admission is 100 baht for adults and a bumper mid-week Phuket City crowd is expected.
Phuket FC's Route to the Top: The Story So Far
Round 12 Trat FC 3-3 Phuket FC
Round 11 Phuket FC 2-2 Rayong FC
Round 10 Ayutthaya FC 1-1 Phuket FC
Round Nine Phuket FC 1-1 Singh Tarua FC
Round Eight Airforce 2-1 Phuket FC
Round Seven Phuket FC 1-0 Khon Khaen FC
Round Six Nakhom Pathom 0-0 Phuket FC
Round Five Phuket FC 1-0 Ratcha Navy FC
Round Four TTM Lopburi FC 0-1 Phuket FC
Round Three Phuket FC 3-1 Sriracha Suzuki FC
Round Two Phuket FC 2-2 Bangkok FC
Round One BB-CU FC 1-1 Phuket FC
