CHEETAHS EYE QUICK START
When a football club hire and fire a coach at a quick pace, it suggests poor results, uncertainty and even instability.
No wonder Hougang United struggled for most of last season's Great Eastern-Yeo's S.League campaign, eventually finishing 10th out of 12 teams after going through three coaches - Alex Weaver, Johana Johari and Amin Nasir.
The Cheetahs did well to win four of their last seven matches under Amin, and chairman Bill Ng has decided to keep faith with the former Singapore international defender as the club prepare for the 2014 season.
Hougang kick off their campaign at home against Woodlands Wellington tomorrow and Amin wants his team to hit the ground running.
He said: "We are playing at home, in front of our passionate fans. There're no two ways about it. We have to beat Woodlands to give ourselves confidence for a good season."
Stability will be key as the club look to take a big step forward.
The 45-year-old coach admitted stability would be key to an improved season.
But the club have already been dealt a blow after the Ministry of Manpower denied key forward Mamadou Diallo a work permit.
MOVE ON
"It says a lot about his ability that he's been with us for more than five years. It's sad and difficult news for Diallo, myself, the team and the fans. But we all have to move on," Amin told The New Paper.
"No player is exactly like Diallo but, this season, we have other good attacking players, like Erwan Gunawan, Diego Gama and Geison Moura, from whom we are expecting some goals.
"We have two Brazilians who are good with the ball and we will try to play good attacking football with the ball on the ground."
While the trio are set to be key to Hougang's fortunes up front, stability in defence is also what Amin is looking for.
He has already signed 1.92-metre tall Durica Zuparic, a former Croatia youth international defender.
The 29-year-old should form a solid partnership in the heart of defence with fellow Croatian Igor Cerina.
Hougang played five friendlies as tune-up, beating Geylang 3-0, but lost against Johor Darul Ta'zim I and II, Woodlands and Albirex, conceding 12 goals and scoring nine.
Amin is confident his men would have taken lessons on board and insisted: "We aim to do better than last season. While we have a decent squad, we are still underdogs, but yes, a top-six finish is achievable."
FANFARE Eric Teo, 16, student
l BEST-CASE SCENARIO:
A top-six finish.
l WORST-CASE SCENARIO:
A repeat of last season's
instability, with many
coaching changes and poor
results.
l Key man:
Igor Cerina.
l Prediction:
5th.
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