Fern Mc Costigan

Tuesday, January 7, 2020

LOI 2020: Bohemians looking forward to another fruitful season

For Bohemians manager Keith Long this is it!

The man is looking forward to another repeat of last season successes with his Bohs, after having an eventful season in 2019, now the aim is to look for the league shield and a positive run in the upcoming UEFA Europa qualifiers.

So far, the Dublin side has reinforced its ranks in the offseason with the arrival of new players and assuring their current player base as well boosting their academy in getting new managers in their- U-19, U-17, and U-15.

The arrival of managers Gavin Teehan U-19, Derek Pender U-17 and Keith Roche shows off the seriousness of the Bohs front office of building a contender for many years to come, starting from its academies.

With the big team netting four new faces in fullback Anton Breslin, midfielder JJ Luney, winger Kris Twardek, and goalkeeper Stephen McGuinness as well seeing the return of defender Dan Casey on loan with Cork City.

In addition to re-signing the likes of Paddy Kirky(df), Michael Baker (df), Andre Wright (f), Andy Lyons (df), Cristian Magerusan (f), Dawson Devoy (m), Keith Ward (m), Luke Wade- Slater (w) and Promise Omochere (w) these players have confirmed a return to Phibsborough.

Adding to the group the likes of striker Dinny Corcoran and defender Rob Cornwall being the first to sign contracts with the Dalymont side before the end of last season.

As the club with near of completing a full squad and preparing for their home opener on February 14 against their cross-town foes the Shamrock Rovers, kicking off another contested edition in the League of Ireland.

As these will kick a preseason with matches against first division foes Longford Town on January 15 and on January 22 against Athlone Town and other matches to be announced, it shows how this team is getting ready for a contested 2020.

Coming to this 2020 the LOI obvious favorites will be the defending champions Dundalk FC as well the Shamrock Rovers touted as the other side to win the league after their feat in the FAI Cup upsetting the league champions.

Still, I do not discard a strong run from these hardened Bohemians, despite the competition, these will face off with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk defending its shield as well as their new European adventure.

The Bohemian somehow are building a contender and for sure these will display a top-notch campaign, still, a third or fourth spot is something these will endure in their European adventure this upcoming summer.

Wednesday, January 1, 2020

Arsenal delivers a brilliant New Year’s win at home in the Arteta era

Finally, Mikel Arteta is on the winning column with his first win in the helm of the Gunners against Manchester United unbeaten in two matches and looking to score a notable win on the road.

With a couple of goals from Nicolas Pepe and Sokratis both in the first half, the Gunners displayed an upgraded and pristine defensive game to come up with a big win that for sure will uplift the Gunners spirits.

For Manu is looking to raise many struggling teams’ momentums, first against Watford catapulting this team winning streak since that loss and today will do the same for Arsenal drive in the remainder of the season.

However, with today's win, the mood in Emirates was something not felt for a while and after seeing an old favorite now converted as their manager, their hopes are somehow on the up to see a return to their old winning ways.

As the home side immediately going to work it was Pepe the record signing player the Gunners opened the score with a brilliant shoot in the 8’ minute, taking advantage with a ricocheting ball got on the Ivorian feet just to push the ball and score.

The opportunities continued for the locals as Lacazette, Torrera, Aubameyang, and Pepe shot hitting the post, a continuance of the Gunners to score as well exposing a feeble visitor’s defensive backfield going from bad to worse.

In the 42’ minute opportunity knocked again for Arsenal when fortunes shifted for Sokratis taking a rebound from a De Gea stopping the ball and on the flick, the Greek push the ball to score the insurance goal and his second of the season.

Arsenal held its lead firmly on the lead closing with a high note the first half with a nice stop of a Harry Maguire shoot stopped by Bernd Leno and go to halftime with the lead and close a second half with a great defensive game.

By stopping any move of the Red Devils attack cold and not allowing them any liberties, this win delivered three valuable points and a move to tenth place with 27 points and within 9 points of fourth-place Chelsea.

Photos Credit and Property of © Copyright Premier League. com 2019

Southampton continues its turnaround win over Mourinho’s Tottenham

Danny Ings lone goal became the difference-maker for the home side Southampton playing at home in a sold-out Saint Mary’s venue that saw how their beloved Saints turnaround is for real.

With a run to perfection reaching four consecutive matches without seeing defeat, the Saints are marching in salvation after a mediocre start and looking like relegation prone, suddenly the Boys form the coast are on fire.

Ever since the beginning of the match, the locals displayed a dominant attack that paid off dearly in the 17’ minute when Danny Ings netting a pass from Jack Stephens, with a spectacular play and move the man scored what became the winning goal.

For the Saints in addition of needing one goal these step up their defensive game and seeing their fortunes roll for the better when the tying goal for the Spurs was disallowed when Harry Kane was called for offside.

In a game that both sides had VAR calls the Saints came off in the first half when the referee thought of an apparent foul of the local’s keeper Alex McCarthy tripping the Spurs player, but the call came off as non-intentional.

Still, for Jose Mourinho, this match made the man fume over VAR critiquing the people involved, getting a yellow card for spying and accusing a ball boy of delaying the game in the end, as mister controversy we must state is back.

As for Saints manager Ralph Hassenhutl, the result proved to be an amazing feat and, in every game, these are looking good and positive spirits showing off in his team suddenly staging a turnaround for the better.

This win situates the Saints in twelve spots tied in points with Everton Toffees as both sides have 25 points, but goal differential keeps them apart, this win puts the Saints away with 5 points clear of relegation.

However, the turnaround continues for the Marching Saints as the revival continues but with a tough test against high flying Leicester City at King City Stadium, another tough test for Hassenhutl Southampton.

Happy New Year 2020!