Choi Kang-hee's decision-making in selecting players, especially his practice of ignoring new star players and relying too much on veterans, seems to have evolved into a trigger for Taishan's recent competitive decline. In the face of Wang Dalei's absence, he still stubbornly activated Liu Shibo, a move that aroused the discontent of many Taishan fans.
In Taishan's first team, the young goalkeeper Jin Yong, who has unlimited potential, seems to have failed to get the chance to show what he deserves, which makes many fans feel lost. Although Liu Shibo has accumulated a wealth of experience in the Chinese Super League, as a 27-year-old player, his skills and abilities seem to have hit a bottleneck.
In contrast, although Jin Yong may face the risk of conceding a goal when he takes the field, it is for the long-term benefit of Taishan's goalkeeper position. Choosing young players may bring short-term uncertainty, but in the long run, it's a necessary stage in every team's growth.
Taishan's recent poor performance has led to a rise in public concern over the renewal of Choi Kang-hee's contract with the club. A senior Taishan fan blogger revealed that Chinese Super League coaching contracts usually contain a clause that triggers the termination of the contract after seven consecutive rounds of failure to win, but the specific outcome is still subject to the decision of the club's senior management. Last year, Choi Kang-hee led the Taishan team to a successful comeback, finishing second in the league, so the club has a lot of trust in him, and it is unlikely that he will be dismissed easily.
It is obvious that the Taishan club has given tremendous support to Cui Kangxi. However, as the head coach of a Chinese Super League team, Cui Kangxi should realize that soccer is a collective sport that requires constant adaptation and adjustment. In terms of hiring strategy, Cui Kangxi needs to be more open and maneuverable, providing more opportunities for young players to play. Only in this way can the team achieve sustainable and healthy development.
It is worth mentioning that Taishan drew with Changchun Yatai in their most recent match, which was their third draw in the last four rounds. Currently, Taishan has only 30 points, 12 points away from league leader Shanghai Harbor. The possibility of winning the title this season seems to be getting lower and lower.
