Tanjong Pagar target still in sight for Vallee

The Jaguars' victorious run came to an end after the team drew with Harimau Muda last week. Despite facing a Protectors side that had picked up just one point in three games, Tanjong Pagar were not able to return to winning ways on Thursday as they were handed a 3-0 defeat by Lee Lim-saeng's men, much to the disappointment of the home support.

Nevertheless, Vallee told FOX SPORTS that he was satisfied with how his team have started the season.

"The season is so long. We cannot win everything, but sincerely, it's like what I told my players in the changing room, we are always within our objective," Vallee stated.

"I'll remind you that Tanjong Pagar is not the best team this year. Tanjong Pagar is a new team, with new ambitions, but I never said that I'll challenge for the title."

Despite putting six goals past Warriors FC earlier on in the campaign, Vallee's men were overrun by a spirited Home side and struggled to carve out decent opportunities. The Jaguars manager believed their previous free-scoring ways alarmed the other clubs in the league, prompting them to change their style of play when taking on his team.

"I think now the opponent knows our team, and they know the good points of my team. You see that they changed their system. I think when they were afraid," Vallee pointed out.

"Normally they [Home United] play with a 3-5-2, today [Thursday] they played 4-4-2. Sirina Camara played behind, but next week Sirina Camara will play on the left wing. We play with the same players in the same place. Maybe that's my mistake, I must change [my tactics] too."

A turnout of more than 1,600 people came to Queenstown Stadium for the game, a majority of them Tanjong Pagar fans who have yet to see their team record a win at home. Vallee confessed that he was eager to set that unsatisfactory circumstance right.

"I am very disappointed that I could not give the fans a victory and a lot of fans came," Vallee noted.

"Certainly for that I am disappointed because I want them to enjoy themselves when they come to Queenstown. We must do something."

Protectors coach Lee Lim-saeng was a proud man after their victory over the Jaguars, and he told reporters that he was delighted to see his team turn in a confidence-laced display on Thursday.

"I think we played well during our last three games, but we just couldn't finish. We just needed to focus in practice. We must work harder than before, and then we must talk about our problems in the team," Lee said.

"I found our guys were too stressed up, so they were making mistakes. As a coach, I must encourage, give confidence even when they make mistakes. I must say something positive. Anyway, I'm very happy to see them like this, because they have overcome it."

Despite the absence of attackers Indra Sahdan and Masato Fukui, goals from Jordan Webb, Sirina Camara and Lee Kwan-woo were enough to earn Home their first win of the season. Although both Indra and Fukui are expected to return to the Protectors line-up after serving their suspensions, coach Lee admitted that the latter still needed more time to assimilate into the team.

"I know that they are under a lot of stress, especially Masato. He's from Japan and cannot speak English. He has problems communicating with his team-mates. I can speak Japanese, I try to communicate in Japanese with him, and hopefully he learns English and he can communicate with the players," he shared.

"I think they [Indra and Fukui] have the potential and the experience. They also need to limit the stress they put themselves under and I believe they will also score; I will try to help them."

Home United will travel to the Bedok Stadium to take on Geylang International for their next S.League game, while Tanjong Pagar meet Hougang United at the Jalan Besar Stadium next Friday.

Image courtesy of Home United Football Club (Jaron Lee)