Fern Mc Costigan: August 2015

Monday, August 31, 2015

A Foursome Campaign in the Works at BC Place!

It’s a big possibility that we may have a few shields at BC Place this campaign, courtesy of their prodigal sons the Vancouver Whitecap’s, after staging so far a one of a kind campaign in this edition of Major League Soccer.

Oh yes, those Caps are playing and showing off a certain strength and resilience that many will state it as possessed by something utmost powerful, after seeing the way of those Caps are playing as all around contenders all campaign long.

Very well by becoming into a force not to be messing with, by demonstrating how this club finishes its matches with class and a winning style.

For their third year Boss Carl Robinson, so far his strategies’ and plans have fallen into place- with a continuance of their brilliant games performed and with an overall statement he and his chaps are delivering in every match played, it looks like they can deliver many important shields this 2015.

So far the Whitecaps have won the Voyagers Cup a trophy given to the Canadian Championship winner as north of the Border squads aren’t allowed to compete in the US Open Cup, still any of the MLS squads from this nation after their feats in this event can net a Concachampions spot.

As the Vancouver chaps are situated currently on the league overall table with 45 points and in second place in both the Western Conference table and the Supporters Shield race, something that the Canadians couldnt imagine being in this situation after their gainful feats.

Their unfortunate side was that horrible loss to the Houston Dynamo this weekend, something that could serve as a wake up call to Caps Manager Robinson, if his his quest for the ultimate of MLS glories.

Still there’s a lot of ground to cover as well matches left to play in the September and October league final stretch, which can leave the Caps in or out of the postseason picture or the Supporters Shield’s race if they falter at the end.

Being in their fourth campaign, the Vancouver squad has made the postseason two times and their aims is for a third one in a row as well make a favorable stand that can net them into the league final- as well try to become the first ever Canadian squad to do such feat.

With seven matches pending this campaign and considered crucial for the Caps aims in this 2015, their upcoming September 19 match in BC Place against the Seattle Sounders will define the winner of this edition of the Cascadia Cup.

One shield important for these Pacific Northwest squad’s, were the winner has the bragging rights for these heated rivalry between these three Pacific Northwest squads, that the winner at the end will have the last say and an edge at the end of that campaign.

Being a match pending for the Caps against Seattle who leads the Cascadia race with just nine points and one in front of Vancouver, as this September 19^th will decide the winner of this year Cup with a match scheduled at Vancouver.

By winning this match, the Whitecaps can claim their third Cascadia Cup in back to back fashion as well aiming for the top trophies in Major League Soccer in its Supporters Shields and why not the MLS Cup- if everything lines up and fells as planned for the Caps Manager Carl Robinson.

This can be it, the year of the fearless Whitecaps and dreamed foursome shield of a campaign, as many see it as nothing impossible of shooting to the stars and closing on what many will see in the Vancouver Whitecaps picture perfect campaign.

Lets Go Caps!

Crest Credit and Property of Vancouver Whitecaps Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

Photos Credit and Property of © Vancouver Whitecaps 2015

Tuesday, August 18, 2015

No One Messes With Dundalk in the Airtricity League of Ireland

Undoubtedly no one messes with the Lilywhites of Dundalk in this edition of the Airtricity League of Ireland and by far this squad is looking like an overall contender once again in this edition.

With the Saint Patrick Athletic chaps paying a visit to Oriel Park and face in what many see a hardened Dundalk, suddenly the locals were in danger of faltering in front of their faithful.

At the end the good fortunes and strategies placed by its Manager Stephen Kenny definitely worked wonders and hence a very convincing result for the locals that saw their efforts all afternoon long with a nice 4-1 victory.

So far seeded in first place since the beginning of the campaign this squad is poised to net another shield or two to its venue halls as well claim bragging rights as an all-around domination of this tourney for the second year consecutively.

As results speak for themselves, this squad has fifty eight points and with an advantage in the top of eight points over its closest follower in Cork City and Saint Patrick’s Athletic behind with nine and Shamrock Rovers way behind with twelve.

The Lilywhites are determined to win it all along of netting a treble in this campaign that for sure this squad is already wrapped up and with the champagne cooling just waiting for the final game of the campaign to uncork it.

Although they came short on the UEFA Europa adventure after being eliminated by Bielorrusia side Bate Borisov, their next time maybe this squad can get among the European elite for good make a run in the final stages.

At the end this club once again under Manager Kenny’s direction this club is a force not reckon with and if this club continues its ascent and winning ways, once again will claim another Airtricity League Shield for this campaign.

Their upcoming compromises in league play will against a not so easy Bohemian squad at Dalymont Park in Dublin to return to Oriel Park and host the always difficult Shamrock Rovers, putting their great record in the line.

For the Lilywhites Boss its nothing but another challenge well taken and preparing his boys for the upcoming matches and with a three match home stand at Loth, things can work for Dundalk at the end.

Sadly but true is there anyone that can stop this club winning ways as well being on its way to net another league shield and stop this initial eleven that their Boss Stephen Kenny already has put so much faith in it.

If things continue its march and the Lilywhites continue with their top of the line football, I doubt anyone can catch this squad and replace it at the league top, very doubtful.

Crest Credit and Property of Dundalk Football Club and Wikipedia 2015

West Ham Looking for its Rightful Place Among Premiership Ranks

Possibly this time may be the charm for this London based club, after last campaign suddenly staging a strong first half start, giving many of its followers a tough that this was going to be a prime time filled campaign.

Their unfortunate side was the Irons sudden collapse in the last months of Premiership and salvaging their campaign with a 12^th place finish, still this club managed to net several shields during their preseason tour.

Since their return to the maximum circuit of Premiership, this club has been playing a good ball but needs more consistency and plug many holes in its initial eleven; the unfortunate side last campaign was their collapse.

Still the Hammers can turn the tides and with their man at the helm in Slaven Bilić who really looks determined of making the East London Gang one serious entity not to mess with and return its respect lost a long time ago.

With a shopping list given to the Academy of Football top Brass, Manager Bilić expects to make an all-around stand in one of the most contested leagues in the world and bring a worthy finish for this club considered one of the traditional in EPL.

As new generations of Irons are to make Boleyn Ground their new home as well many great things are expected of these chaps to provide to their new club that after this campaign will see its last matches in Upton Park.

These Hammers will indeed give a new dimension to the Yugoslav attack as well a new dimension to his game he has envisioned and not to be intimidated by any of the so called squad’s known as the giants of Premiership.

That’s why this club really armed itself with players as Darren Randolph- Birmingham City, Pedro Obiang-Sampdoria, Dimitri Payet-Marseille, Angelo Ogbonna- Juventus, Carl Jenkinson- Arsenal, Manuel Lanzini- Al- Jazira and George Dobson- Arsenal.

Giving a new hope and aiming for the European competitions as well trying to make a better run in both the FA and Capitol One Cups in their effort to net a shield or two to its halls.

Very well the awakening of this club with a series of positive results will be amazing after their last campaign here in Boleyn Grounds before their move to Olympic Stadium as negotiated with time and netting positive results.

There’s a lengthy campaign ahead for the Hammers which results in the positive are a must as well hopefully its current roster and new ones can deliver a lot of satisfactions to its fan base known as top in the circles of Premiership.

Another must is that their striker Andy Carroll hopefully can shake off its injury plagued career and step forward to help his Hammers make a run to the league top spots.

Crest Credit and Property of West Ham Football Club, Telegraph Media and Wikipedia 2015

Monday, August 17, 2015

West Brom Albion One Underdog to be Taken Seriously

When the man from Wales is at the head of any of his Premiership squad’s helm, his work is put in evidence after his teams are suddenly turned into a force not to mess with.

Tony Pulis is one mad man at the helm and by far whatever squad he takes over is one not to be mess with as well not to be taken lightly, when this man makes his squads as an unbeatable and tough entity to beat.

Last campaign saw the Throstles having some problems until the Welshman came to the rescue; still their performances in cup play were outstanding despite their eliminations by a lack of ambition and direction.

With a finish in 13^th place and eliminated in the sixth round in the FA Cup by Aston Villa and League Cup in the fourth by now Premier Bournemouth, that was then and now the Baggies are up an running for a better position.

Still this club known for its limited budget and lack of netting big time players, it can manage to get a one or two players in the so called transfer market to reinforce its weak spots and front in what many always see in EPL as a contested championship.

And although Albion saw a diaspora of players leaving to other entities, for Manager Pulis getting new faces to play at the Hawthorns wasn’t a tough task for him to conform a possible contender and spoiler at the same time.

By welcoming new faces to the Hawthorns, the arrival of James McClean- Wigan Athletic, James Chester- Hull City, Ricky Lambert- Liverpool, Serge Gnabry- WBA loan and Salomon Rondon- Zenith St. Petersburg.

WBA can really make an impressive run in this edition of the English Premier League and leave behind the so called modest or small entity syndrome and play one on one to whoever comes their way and make a stand, regardless the rival.

As many state there’s no such thing than an easy rival, the Albion crew can be seen as a sort of David looking forward to become a contender and not making it into the middle positions but the top five as many have underestimate clubs like these.

Seeing at the end a campaign at the Hawthorns being delivered in style by its Boss Tony Pulis who can turn any of his squad’s managed into an overall contender and hardened one!

There’s no stopping this squad as well making it into the top five if everything goes their way and hopefully this campaign the interest for one of its prime strikers in Saido Berainho being pursued by London side Tottenham.

At the end this club plans won’t be something to disrupt its manager strategies and plans to match him up with newcomer Ricky Lambert or another newcomer in Argentine International Federico Fazio that can reinforce Pulis plan of attack.

West Brom can make pull a lot of upsets as well make life a living hell for the so called giants of Premiership as I’ve writing lately, but one for sure with a Manager in the likes of Pulis don’t take or play this club lightly, WBO is up in arms!

Crest Credit and Property of West Brom Albion Football Club, Telegraph Media and Wikipedia 2015