Kitchee’s midfielder, Charlie Scott, recently highlighted the distinct change in the team’s atmosphere this season compared to their triumphant treble-winning term last year. Expressing his concerns, Scott pinpointed that losing focus had resulted in the team’s challenging start this season, which starkly contrasts their previous achievements.
In the AFC Champions League, Scott made a commendable debut against Bangkok United. However, the team was unable to break its streak, facing their third consecutive loss in the tournament. The current statistics are a cause for concern for the Hong Kong champions. They have faced defeats in five out of their nine matches across all contests this season, a sharp decline from their previous record of only six losses in 38 games throughout the 2022-23 season.
The football community has been particularly critical of the club’s recruitment decisions during the summer. Notably, the new recruits Ogenyi Onazi and Aleksandar Damcevski weren’t included in the Champions League lineup, further fueling the criticism. To add to the complexity, an inside source revealed that tensions had been building within the squad since the last season. Addressing these concerns, Scott shared that the frequent changes in the lineup had been challenging for many players. Only eight out of the squad that faced Bangkok had also been part of the triumphant match against BC Rangers in the FA Cup final in May.
Describing the current team dynamics, Scott mentioned, “It’s a mixed feeling. We have regulations that restrict the number of foreign players, leading to frequent shuffling. This makes it hard to develop a cohesive unit.” He continued, “While some might feel that irregular playing time affects their form and fitness, it’s essential to maintain professionalism. Personal discontent shouldn’t cloud the team’s atmosphere or performance.”
Though the prevailing sentiment in the dressing room doesn’t match the exuberance of the last season, Scott emphasized the importance of unity. After their recent 2-1 loss against Bangkok, despite an early lead, the mood in the changing room was notably somber. This was reflective of the team’s broader sentiment this season.
Reflecting on the coaching transition, Scott mentioned that Kim Dong-jin’s takeover from Alex Chu Chi-kwong in September was an attempt to revitalize the team’s spirits. Reminiscing the treble victory, Scott added, “The earlier season saw an energetic team that thrived during training sessions. This season, however, has felt somewhat subdued.”
Despite the challenges, Scott remained optimistic, defending the new recruits and emphasizing their skills. He concluded with a forward-looking attitude, emphasizing the team’s need to refocus and improve in the upcoming match against Sham Shui Po.
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