August 7, 2004

Home United will win the S-League or lose it this month – that is Protectors coach Steve Darby's forecast as his side looks ahead to the games that could decide their season.

Darby said after the defeat against the Young Lions that this month results will be crucial as they either win or lose the league as a result of it.

Having already lost a crucial match to the Young Lions which saw them lost the leadership to the Stags, he know anymore slipup would be damaging.

The reigning league champions is meeting, Albirex Niigata & SAFFC, before a crunch match against fellow title challengers Tampines Rovers on 25 August & also a 2 legs Singapore Cup semi-finals as well, so it will be a massive physical load on the players.

While not worry mentally about the players as he believed they are a tough bunch & have won the championship before, he is worried about injuries & suspensions with the fixtures in August.

Another worry is the fact that the Protectors throwing away unnecessary points like the way they threw away points against Balestier Khalsa last month.

Asked if it was had been a great championship as a results of the challenge posed by Tampines Rovers & Young Lions.

Home were runaway leaders to the title last season but this year's run-in has been much closer, with Tampines Rovers two points behind and the Young Lions four adrift.

Darby laughed & said it is more interesting for the fans but as a coach he prefer to be running away with it.