Sumrith 'Tiger' Thanakarnjanasuth wrote the following programme notes for the televised Sky Bet League One game against Lincoln City:
I think people know by now that I am always positive; I think having a positive outlook helps you in everything you do. Although the last week has seen two disappointing results, we remain in a good position and cannot allow those two games to distract us from our aim. We set off looking for promotion, or at least the play-offs, and right now we are only three points off those positions.
Nobody ever said this season was going to be easy, but to still be in there with a chance with ten games to go is credit to Karl , the staff and the players, and I know I still have faith that this group will reflect on the last two games, learn lessons and – I am sure – show a positive reaction against Lincoln.
It is strange how football works. Against Blackpool we lost because of two set pieces. So we defend much better against them in the next game and lose because we switched off at a throw in! Like everyone watching on iFollow, I thought we had scored very early in that game when Rob Atkinson’s shot looked like it had crossed the line, but sometimes decisions go against you and we will not use that as an excuse: there was still plenty of time to create other chances and win the game. Once Northampton scored, they had something to fight for and they defended well so we have to accept defeat with dignity and move on to tonight.
I wonder if the last two results might have been different with our fans there to lift us? I heard Karl say that it felt flat against Blackpool and I am sure the fans would have filled the away end on Tuesday night as well. It only adds to the frustration to sit at home and know there is nothing you can do to encourage or lift the team when they need it the most.
Playing in front of the Sky cameras is always good exposure for the club, and what better way to show the rest of the division that we are still in the fight than with a convincing performance tonight?
Off the field, this is the first chance I have had to say anything about the recent speculation surrounding the ownership of the club. At the moment that is all it is: speculation. We have a strong Board, we talk all the time, we include Karl in those talks and the aim has never changed: build a team and a club that can compete strongly in the Championship or even beyond. You have to dream big, so why not aim for the very top?
Yes, we talk all the time about how that is structured and how we can make things even stronger, but nothing has changed and if it ever does then I promise to be as open and honest with fans, as I hope the club always is.
Enjoy the game.
Tiger
You can read the full programme online at www.matchdayfix.com/oufc