Coach B. Sathianathan talking to some of the players during training. - File pic - M. Azhar Arif/The Star.

PETALING JAYA: Armed Forces coach B. Sathianathan has demanded for consistency from his charges ahead of their Super League match against Negri Sembilan tonight.

On paper, the Premier League champions should have no problems claiming full points at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium in Paroi as Negri are languishing at the bottom of the 12-team standings.

But Sathia knows that given his side’s yo-yo form, things could turn nasty for them at Paroi.

Sathia is still smarting from his side’s exit from the FA Cup last month – when they were edged 3-2 by Selangor in a penalty shootout. Forces led 2-0 but crumbled and Selangor levelled the score at 2-2 in extra time.

“We let ourselves down in the FA Cup … now we need to focus on the Super League and win it,” said Sathia yesterday.

“More hard work is needed, as is consistency.

“We have a chance to top the league, so let’s make sure we don’t drop any more points.”

Forces have 10 points after five matches and trail behind Pahang and leaders Selangor who have 12 and 13 points respectively.

The 54-year-old coach believes that Negri will be a revitalised side after the three-week international break and has warned his men to be wary of them.

Forces striker Marlon James will start the match as he has recovered from a back injury. However, they’ll be without injured midfielder S.Thinagaran.

“Negri have been playing well … it’s just that they couldn’t score. The league will be resuming after a three-week break and I believe they would have rectified their weaknesses.”

Related posts:

• Hodak hails Sathia as the best coach in Malaysia
• Sathia unhappy with Armed Forces’ inconsistent form
• Battle-hardened Forces ready for Negri onslaught
• Sathia’s hairdryer treatment gets fierce response from Forces
• Forces coach Sathia eyes two wins in Group of Death