Daejeon Citizen: Relegation Round Preview

Daejeon Citizen Relegation Round Preview

Team Rank: 12th

Points: 13

Last Five Matches: LLDLLD

Is Daejeon's current spot an achievement or disappointment?

It is a huge disappointment. I don't think many of those who follow Daejeon would have expected their team to pull up too many trees this year but they would have at least have hoped to see  competitive team. A relegation battle was always on the cards but, quite frankly, Daejeon haven't even battled. Right from the very off Daejeon have looked unprepared and like a selection of strangers who have never played together before. That in itself is some achievement seeing how they all live together in a clubhouse.

Coach Choi Mun Sik has failed to improve struggling Daejeon. Credit: DCFC.co.kr

How does Daejeon’s current spot compare to pre-season expectations?

The Daejeon faithful would be naive to keep their expectations anything other than low but I don't think anyone expected so much upheaval. A tough season was expected given how the recruitment went but having tied Adriano down to a new contract there was some optimism. I think once the euphoria of being back in the Classic wore off, which was perhaps at the full time whistle of the very first game of the season, expectations perhaps came crashing back down to earth.

Why are Daejeon where they are?

Daejeon are where they are quite simply because Daejeon have been completely mismanaged from top to bottom. In particular, the sacking of Coach Cho Jin Ho was baffling and eventually lead to the departure of the aforementioned Adriano to FC Seoul. Coach Cho's successor insists on instructing his team to pass their way out of trouble. But, without the right players, mostly due to his scatter gun recruitment policy, it simply doesn't work. The current manager isn’t the right fit for a team battling to survive. Perhaps next season in the Challenge Choi Mun Sik’s tactics might show their worth but when teams can punish even the smallest of mistakes, it is perhaps a case of the blind leading the blind.

Kim Byung Suk returning from military service could be a boost for next season. Credit DCFC.co.kr

What's the best Daejeon can do in the next 5 weeks?

Pick up a home win, that’d be a good way to start. Daejeon have only won three games all season; two in the league away from home and once in the FA Cup in front of their own supporters. The player who scored the winning goal that evening has quit professional football to become a fashion model. Sadly for Daejeon, the season's latest trend has left them hanging on by a thread. Frankly,  Daejeon are all but relegated so to simply see a home win before the end of the season would be nice. As for the players, they will no doubt be getting their agents to find another club for them

The worst?

There really isn't a worst case scenario. Daejeon are already experiencing it. Perhaps if they were thumped 5-0 every week en route to the Challenge then that would be worst case scenario. Actually, perhaps if the current manager was given a new contract then that would be the worst case scenario.

Will next year be better or worse?

Next year will be a chance to clear the decks and start again. But, recruitment is key so if it is indeed Choi Moon Sik that is in charge, I hope for Daejeon’s sake that he has a clear plan. Otherwise Daejeon could do a Gyeongnam and be propping up the Challenge next year.