Fern Mc Costigan: July 2014

Thursday, July 31, 2014

An Unstoppable Exodus at Saint Mary’s

That’s what they all say and later, hence the results of a sale as well dismantling in what could be a contender this campaign.

I’m talking about the sudden exodus from Saint Mary’s as well the Saints top rated players, going into different directions as well seeking better prospect’s to play for.

Premium Prices were the words by used by Southampton Chairman Ralph Krueger, those were the words that specified the sale of excellent player’s to other entities.

As recently it was an offer in the table for striker Jay Rodrigues and midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin who suddenly are targeted from Tottenham and Liverpool.

still the words of the chairman to stop cold in its tracks the massive exodus at Saint Mary’s was a way of saying, more money and we can talk.

Pity indeed, are the words to express the way this squad once considered a top rated entity, suddenly is crumbling after its main man and now Hotspur Manager left it!

not fair for the big squads to get their open wallets and lure talent away, as the Saints brought this man and suddenly started putting down fires as well making this club a force not to be reckon with.

Mister Krueger should counter offer to its former skipper Pochettino and made him stay, possibly many of its chaps would won a one England’s internal competition’s to assure a Europa or Champions position.

Or possibly a direct Champions position with their former Andean boss, if he agreed to stay, remember he made this program work for the best.

The brave and greedy coward is what says about his bloke Krueger, that his only intention is to bring more monies to the club coffers and possibly its demise to relegation.

Seriously after all it can happen, all of the talent created by the former boss now is the gain for the nemesis of tis club in Premiership, Got Championship, , maybe ask the aints!

What a great program, which really went into shambles, I don’t doubt the exit of Rodriguez and Schneiderlin to Hotspurs and Liverpool, who this latter one has found a gold mine in Saint Mary’s.

Meaning that after getting three of its top rated players, maybe four can be a part of the Koop at Anfield in this upcoming Premiership campaign, when will these directives or blue collar vultures learn?

Nice people those awesome followers of Southampton who endure the hardships at Saint Mary’s this campaign, hopefully Koeman can turn things around and create another stellar miracle as his contemporary Pochettino did in last season.

Photo Credit and Property of Southern Daily Echo 2011-2014

Monday, July 28, 2014

Mauricio Pochetino’s Magical Legacy at Southampton is a Blessing for Others

I do remember when Southampton got its nod to Premiership, as well its struggle’s and odd results, which almost netted this squad a return to the relegation zone.

When clubs promoted from England’s Championship tier and their celebratory hangover, it’s when things get a little edgy and seen as a wake-up call.

That was something that Argentina’s former player sensation Mauricio Pochettino, took over a project going to crumble, as well destined for the infamous relegation or Championship League.

Fortunately for the Saint Mary’s clan, the Andean not only saved this club from disaster as well rescue it, for its salvation and permanency in England’s top rated league Premiership.

Seeing a total transformation into the next campaign by creating a more spectacular and dynamic game as well giving the opportunity to new players to test the edgy waters of this league.

Something that became fruitful in his tenure at Saint Mary’s by building an overall contender that once disputed the European positions and finished eighth in the overall table.

Not bad for a squad limited in its monies to buy marquee players, but in the case of the Saints, after their Manager success that became evident of his services being hired by a bigger entity.

This campaign has seen the legacy left by this man wonders in the field as well the jewels or diamonds in the rough that he polished and now are becoming other squads top of the line reinforcements.

With the likes of Luke Shaw being a rookie and just eighteen years old and netted his first international cap at the past World Cup in Brazil with England, by becoming a Red Devil this player will delight many at Old Trafford.

Brendan Rodgers Liverpool skipper that only his sights are set on Saint Mary’s roster, by signing Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana and Dejan Lovren- as well looking into another Saints sensation in striker Jay Rodriguez.

Mark Hughes the Villains Manager took to Villa the likes of Tom Legget and Isaac Nehemie to strengthen his attack at Villa Park.

And last and not least Calum Chambers will highlight the Gunners and French Skipper Wegner attack at Emirates as well another eighteen year old lad to come out the halls of Saint Mary’s.

If Pochettino would left Saint Mary’s, what would happened, a lot of wonderful things if not fighting for a European position if not getting it at the end of the campaign, pity, but that’s football the big fish eats the smaller one.

One hell of a project the Argentina former player sensation and now Manager built in short time at Southampton, now it’s the blessing of others!

Sunday, July 27, 2014

The Timbers Missing Piece at Defense: Liam Ridgewell

Caleb Porter is one happy man, as well confident that he found his missing link, especially in his defensive side, one area his club has been struggling.

As this campaign has seen his club, a good share of ups and downs, unfortunately more downs as last campaign, so it was time to act.

And with rumors circling of a defender coming from the English Premier League and losing the race to lure him in to the Rose City, the buck didn’t stop there for Manager Porter.

Very well after juggling lineups and experimenting in its four men at the backfield, he’s aware that his star goalkeeper Ricketts is not miracle man.

That was when it was time to act, for this skipper’s ahead of the not so wonderful schedule, that in its majority his club will be playing as a visitor.

It was time for Portland’s front office to make a small investment and seek someone with experience and with an impressive resume or CV, as its call Europe.

Finally the news were broken, when the Timbers announced that they had their third designated played in one experienced and well brought up chap from the English Premiership.

His name is Liam Matthew Ridgewell, a native of Bexleyheath, England and with an impressive resume; we believe the Timbers have found their man.

Impressive indeed, with a career that has spanned from his early playing days as a Villain, or better known as Aston Villa, Bournemouth Cherries, Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion.

The former Baggie or Throstles as you may call him, really is determined to make a sure impact in his new adventure in Major League Soccer as well make himself a place in his new club initial eleven.

Still this chap debut against a tough Colorado squad was seen as something positive, by keeping at bay this Rocky mountain squad strikers and allowing them just an early goal and his first win as a Portland Timber.

with a player of his caliber with many caps in the English team as a youth and professionally, the Portland Timbers possibly have found their man and with the right formation and formula that their Manager seeks, this project can be saved and aspire for more.

A time to rejoice maybe, still the Portland Timbers and its Manager have to seek a place among the top five squads that attend the post season alongside their newly venture into the CONCACAF Champions League.

This will give the club a more broader experience in the international circuit as well develop a certain criteria as well have the necessary weapons to counter any challenge that comes their way, at the end the Portland Timbers have found their man and answers to its struggling defense.

You may ask yourself if the Timbers found their man, you bet you and he will perform as expected and won’t be a disappointment!

If I Root, I Root for the Timbers!