Fern Mc Costigan: July 2018

Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Crystal Palace looking forward to a prolific campaign

For Roy Hodgson arrival at Selhurst, rescuing a troubled Eagles squad prone for automatic relegation, all of a sudden the man did his magic and turn things around for the better in these parts of London Town.

With his wisdom and experience made an all-around difference to keep this squad in the top flight of Premiership and see the day of another contested campaign in England’s premier association. Still his work was not a rose garden as he and his Glaziers not had it easy, I must say!

Aware of this club-limited budget, this club must look for not so stellar players but some that can reinforce this club area of much need and despite rumors of showing some interest in a few good players.

For this club to be a contender one thing they should not allowed is the sale of their star player Wilfred Zaha being in the orbit of several big entities lurking around Selhurst to get ahold of his services, if sold the club needs to replace him immediately.

So far, the Eagles have signed the likes of goalkeeper Vicente Guaita from Getafe and currently on closing negotiations with former Schalke 04 midfielder Max Meyer.in addition of purdsuing or wish list that manager Hodgson put in, is of West Ham Cheikhou Koyate, Fenerbhace Josef de Souza and Chelsea Tammy Abraham.

Another set of players Palace has set its eyes on and atop their wish list with Jack Wilshere, Hammers Michail Antonio, Juventus Khouma Babacar, Aston Villa Jack Grealish, Atletico Madrid Nico Gaitan and bidding too for Norwich City Josh Murphy and James Maddison.

Still is business as usual for manager Hodgson while his squad is in their preseason looking forward to conform a contender as well looking forward observing what players will conform his initial eleven in this upcoming campaign.

As the Glaziers are netting good results, despite playing with Championship squads, but a win is a win and the man of many battles is happy what he’s looking ahead this upcoming campaign filled with an array of challenges.

However former national team manager he is looking forward to put a contender on the field and make a run to finish among the top ten squads and overcome last campaign eleventh place that showed the work of Hodgson as meritorious.

One by delivering the permanency of the CPFC and two making a good run in the end to be near a finish in the top ten, the question arises if Roy Hodgson and his Eagles can nab a European spot in the end.

For Roy Hodgson hi desires are for a strong and positive start that his squad add wins and do not have to worry about the so-called relegation and be in those uncomfortable positions in the end, for Palace a nice finish will in top ten spots.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2018

Monday, July 30, 2018

A new era in Goodison Park, as its Toffees looking to deliver

After last year expectations for the School of Science spending a whopping £150 million in the transfers market to reinforce and aspire to a European spot. For this small entity, the Toffees armed a contender under the direction of Ronnie Koeman.

After series of odd results for the Dutch, it was time to pack and go, leaving many expectations in what seemed to be a very ambitious project that in the end results in a near fracas if the likes of big Sam would not arrive in a timely manner.

Despite the interest from an ex Everton Alumni David Unsworth looking to seize the job in Goodison Park, putting a record of just a two wins, one draw and five losses was not convincing enough for his stay.

The Toffees had a brush near relegation at times and Sam Allardyce delivering another miracle saving the People’s Club from near disaster and finishing in Championship League, but in the end big Sam was not renewed. After all, Sam Allardyce saved this club from doom and in the end finish in eight spot.

As the main objective of this club was to get their target man in then Watford manager Marco Silva who the Blues directives have placed all of their confidences in the Portuguese to deliver this squad this time to Europe.

After Koeman getting his wish list of players including Gylfy Sigurdsson, Leandro Rdriguez, Theo Walcott, Sandro, Davy Klassen, Cenk Tosun and seeing the arrival of Wayne Rooney back to his formative team. Still this club struggle in good part of the campaign after many consider it a total contender.

This campaign the club opted to be a more conservative in the transfers market after last campaign players decided to take other destinies to play in other entities. Among one of them is Wayne Rooney marching to American Major League Soccer to play with DC United.

As the club so far has spent £60 million pounds for Waterford Brazilian Richardlison, so far the only player to call Goodison Park home and looking forward to prolific and successful campaign as a Toffee and contribute to this club ascent to the top.

For Everton this campaign focus is to get their sights in some minor but meaningful trophies for its halls in the EFL and FA Cups to lift this club confidence in its players and these put on a fight and aspire to higher horizons in the upcoming campaign.

With a busy preseason, the Dogs of War have been delivering results and for their first year man in its helm Marco Silva, looking forward to put in the ideal initial eleven and make a stand against its archrivals in the league.

In addition of seeing a healthy Gylfy Sigurdsson deliver along with Richardlison along with several notable players making their return, the hopes deposited in this young manager looking forward to make his big break with this historic club.

The main idea of this team is to compete against the big guns of Premriship and make a stand against their foes in Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and especially their cross Merseyside rivals Liverpool.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2018

Return to activities in the League of Ireland recap

After many of the SSE, squads involved in European competition, and some eliminated and still two more on the hunt such as Cork City and Dundalk. Finally, we got a full weekend of matches and squads looking forward to their salvation.

With a persistent Limerick netting an important win, the Dublin Boys of the Shamrock Rovers are still undefeated along with a streaking eleven matches won by a hard charging Dundalk, readying for Thursday match in Cyprus against AEK Larnaca in the second round.

In Tallaght Stadium, the local Hoops delivered another important win that keeps them in the hunt for the third place bearer Waterford that loss against an inspired Limerick FC.

In the duel of Rovers, the local Shamrock Rovers delivered a fatal blow to the visiting Bit O’ Red looking forward to their salvation, but with the Hoops goals from Dylan Watts 66’ and Gary Shaw 86’.

Shamrock Rovers 2, Sligo Rovers 0

It happened in Markets Field with its local Super Blues winning the day and aspiring to save their permanency in the Irish Premiership, with the visit of surprising Waterford, the Blues Derby was under way.

With an early red card and Limerick eleven reduced to ten men, still the visiting Blues were not able to capitalize despite a lone goal in the 47’ by Bastien Hery as Limerick early taking the lead with goals from Bill Dennehy 34’ and Shane Duggan 83’.

Limerick FC 2, Waterford 1

In Brandywell Stadium, the local Candystripes scored and important win over a hardened Saint Patrick’s Athletic, as this win sees the Derry City squad putting an end to their losing streak.

In a red and yellow cards filled match, still the Derry Boys persevere for the win with scores from Alistar Roy 3’ and Rory Patterson 86’ and for the Saints Ryan Brennan 34’.

Derry City 2, Saint Patrick’s Athletic 1

In Carlisle Grounds the local Bray Wanderers after receiving some good news, these were to face off the defending champions Cork City and possibly looking for an upset with a win.

Unfortunately the visiting Rebel Army had a field day with a double from Karl Sheppard 12’ and 36’ and Garry Buckley 30’ sealing their win in the first half but the locals via Gary McCabe 65’ broke the clean sheet for the visitors.

Bray Wanderers 1, Cork City 3

In Oriel Park, the local Lilywhites extended their winning ways to eleven matches, with scores from Sean Hoare 31’ and Patrick Hoban 51’ via a penalty to seal the deal and keep a point advantage over City in top.

This win gives the Town Boys a boost of confidence ahead their match at Cyprus against AEK Larnaca on Thursday playing for their pass to the next rounds in the Europa League knockout rounds.

Dundalk 2, Bohemians 0

Super Patrick delivers again for a perfection ridden the Town

Dundalk FC 2, Bohemians 0

Oriel Park, Dundalk

Eleven games riding with perfection and there is no stopping this Dundalk squad. After their current activity in their European adventure, the Lilywhites return to league action against dangerous Bohemians at Oriel Park.

So far, with Cyprus in their minds for their upcoming match playing away AEK Larnaca, on Thursday, the Town Boys with their current streak and state of mind so optimist, these can deliver a win and a pass to the next rounds in the Europa League.

Still give Patrick Hoban a cigar, as the man is possessed and sending a clear message to the national team manager of his might and display to score after scoring his 22 goal the campaign via a penalty.

With a 2-0, win and another clean sheet for goalkeeper Gary Rodgers, the Town Boys are one point ahead of the defending champions Cork City, as they say this edition of Airtricity is red hot and with no squad as its overall winner.

For Stephen Kenny and company juggling league and international play, the man is looking forward to another successful run towards the coveted stage group and this time make a dash to the next rounds, after all the prestige and pay are not bad.

With a game pending after their European run, the Lilywhites are in first with 64 points one ahead as I mentioned before the Rebel Army who won on their match against sorry Bray Wanderers.

Returning to this match, the Lilywhites are one unstoppable entity whenever these are playing at home; extending so far their winning streak to eleven consecutive matches, there is no stopping these Lilywhites Boys.

As 3000 souls present in the colossus of Louth County, the revival of its crowd came alive in the minute 31’ when Sean Hoare scored the first goal, going with the lead into halftime; the second half was to see the likes of a red-hot striker in Patrick Hoban.

In the 51’ minute the Lilywhites were awarded a penalty after Dundalk Dena Jarvis was taken down inside the box and the game official did not hesitated to award the locals the penal which Patrick Hoban deliver to extend the locals lead.

In addition, after the score and the whole of Kenny and company displaying a grand game and despite the efforts of the Dublin Boys of looking to break the clean sheet, the Lilywhites held their ground defensively.

Despite the number of shoots at goal by the visiting Gypsies, at the end the locals persevere and giving their followers now looking forward to a set of good news to come from the Mediterranean isle where their Boys are playing for their permanency in the Europa League.

A win in Cyprus will come in handy, be a wonderful confidence booster, by paving the way and looking forward to an interesting run in the always-celebrated Europa League stage groups, this Town can do it.