July 24, 2004

Eagles coach Scott O'Donell has come out in the open to admit his side current league position is not good enough for a club the size of the Eagles so used to success, as the Eagles head for their worst ever finish in S-League history.

If they do not manage to overhaul the 2 teams above them - SAFFC (10 points) & Albirex Niigata (5 points) respectively, Geylang United will finish 2004 in their lowest since the S-League started back in 1996

Their previous poorest finish back in 1997, the result of a double change for both players & club management, when they ended up fifth having won the league the previous year.

This year, while the Australian coach had been forced to break up his 2003 squad after defender Baihakki, midfielder Jamil & keeper Sunny joined the Young Lions & captain Lim Tong Hai retired, he cannot say he was not allowed to being in quality reinforcement for in their places came former Australian international Blagojevic, ex-Sengkang Marine captain & defender Hill, Sinchi top-socrer Chang Hui, Warriors season players like Jeykanth, Bartholomeusz & Shahril.

On paper this squad is more formidable line-up than last season squad.

However it has been a letdown this year for them as they have struggled to find goals & consistency.

With the Eagles struck in the bottom half of the table, it has brought criticism & rumors claiming the end are near for last season S-League Coach of the Year.

To that, Scott just said he has no excuses for the team performances as he picked the players so take full responsibility for the results but he has had the strong backing from the club.

He is now discussing things with individual players behind closed doors so as to work things out together as he believed only a good & strong team effort can pulled them out of their current situation.

In the meantime, it is also learned that several of the Eagles players had been given warning letters.

Scott refused to give details on the matter saying the contents of the letters & who it was addressed to are the club confidential matters.

It is the first time in the Eagles history such letters had been issued but according to reports it is learned the club management felt the current situation demanded urgent actions.