The return of the Lions back in the Malaysian Super League has prompted much interest in the press and the gallery at Jalan Besar Stadium, the new roaring den of Singapore soccer.

It has been great to see the boys back in one of the oldest and most prestigious tournaments in Asia. It certainly has brought back many fond memories to many loyal supporters, none more so than me.

Just competing back in the competition is a win-win situation for the FAS, and many fans alike. The matches against their neighbours and nemesis is a healthy outlook for the game in Singapore and hopefully will help transform the home grown players in their development to better themselves for the future of the national team.

I say this, as it can only be a big positive for the team gaining much hardened experience, playing abroad and versus imports and the strong Malaysian state teams.

However, this leads me, as they say, to the $64,000 question. After four matches, the Lions team has won twice, drawn once, and were knocked off just once in the opening games of the season against last year's champions and 2012/13 tournament favourites Kelantan. It is definitely been a super but somewhat indifferent start thus far.

If we look at the points gained from the four matches, you might say it has been a positive start by Sundram and the team, but is winning enough to keep the interest of the country and fans alike - without rarely setting the fire on entertainment.

I say this from personal experience. When I was playing in the competition with Singapore, we were always scrutinised on how we won. It was always more than just about us winning. The pressure to play free flowing, attacking football was a must, with plenty of goals for the Kallang Roar to cheer about.

Any lacklustre wins or performances were voiced directly and indirectly in the press. Expectations to deliver at all times were massive, brimming pressure on the players. So far the new Lions have been spared these pressures to perform at a level of competence with the lack of class and creativity to immulate their predecessors who were a class above in quality and presence.

Let us not forget, this is a class of all locals with no foreign imports to help out, compared with the rest of the teams in the tournament. I hope they will be spared the negatives and allowed to grow as a team under the leadership of my ex-team mates V. Sundramoorthy and Kadir Yahya, two of the best young coaches in the Republic.

With the stadium full and a new patriotic young fan base supporting the boys, I am sure they will be forgiven at the moment for their quality of performances so far, so long as they continue to play with heart and passion.

This is a work-in-progress for the FAS, needing plenty of time to adjust after the long lay-off from this competition, so it is imperative that they finish as high as possible in the League and qualify for the Malaysia Cup format where the interest will intesify to greater heights in this country.

To the fans, I say, continue supporting the team and to the players, keep working hard and I'm sure good results with better performances are just around the corner for a successful maiden season back in a competition we love.