Whitecaps have found a replacement for head

Ed note: The Whitecaps formally introduced Carl Robinson as their new head coach Monday, December 16. The Vancouver Whitecaps have found a replacement for head coach Martin Rennie, who was fired at the end of the 2013 MLS season. And they didnt have to look very far. Rennies former assistant coach, Carl Robinson, will be officially announced as Vancouvers new head coach on Monday, bringing an end to the clubs six-week search for Rennies replacement. This will be Robinsons first job as a head coach after serving the past two seasons as an assistant coach in Vancouver. I knew Robinson as a player when we were on opposite sides of the Old Farm derby in England; I played for Ipswich Town, while Robinson played for our biggest rivals, Norwich City. He was a difficult opponent to play against, and someone who was clearly a leader on and off the field. He never suffered fools and was never afraid to call someone out if they werent performing up to the required standards. He had a very strong tactical understanding of the game as a player, and the fact that he has taken this and other leadership skills into his career as a coach is not a surprise. Robinson didnt jump straight into a head coaching position after calling time on his playing career, though. It was a transition he took gradually, taking the time to educate himself and gain experience as an assistant coach first. He holds the UEFA Pro license - the highest coaching license awarded by Europes governing body. One of Robinsons strengths as a coach is his conviction; he has a clear philosophy about how he wants the game to be played and he believes in his coaching ability. He is, however, open-minded; he is the first to admit that he still has a great deal to learn. Robinson relates very well to younger players, something that will be important for the Whitecaps, who have stated their desire to see more young players graduate from their academy to their first team. Players like Russell Teibert have already made that breakthrough, but others - like Sam Adekugbe, Bryce Alderson, Marco Bustos and Kianz Froese - are expected to do the same in years to come. Critics will argue that being the head coach requires a different approach to being an assistant, that you sometimes need to be ruthless with players when you are the man in charge. They will suggest that Robinson might have a difficult time making the transition from being someone the players look to as a friend to being someone who now holds their professional aspirations in his hands. Those critics dont know Robinson very well, though. He wont change the way he interacts with the players - because he wont have to. He has always been a straight talker, and even as an assistant coach was never afraid to offer players praise or constructive criticism, depending on what was required. This is one of the reasons that so many Whitecaps players wanted Robinson as Rennies replacement in the first place - he is honest with them. As a player, more than anything you want your coach to be honest with you. If you know where you stand, what you need to do to get in the first team and what you need to do to stay there, youre happy. Because playing time is the currency that means the most to players. There wont be any mind games with Robinson. Players wont be strung along, taken advantage of or treated poorly. Every player will know exactly where they stand with him, and those that arent pulling their weight will know what areas of their game they need to improve to warrant more playing time. He wont keep everyone happy (no coach ever does) but the players will get nothing but honesty from Robinson, which means he will earn their respect. Critics will suggest that Robinson was third or fourth choice for the Whitecaps, that Bob Bradley and Jason Kreis were always their preferred options, and that Robinson is simply the best of the rest. Those critics might be right - but that doesnt mean the Whitecaps have made the wrong decision hiring Robinson. In fact, I think it is a blessing in disguise and might just be the best decision theyve ever made. Danny Welbeck Jersey . -- LeBron James warned the Orlando Magic to stop double-teaming him and ignoring James Jones. Jeff Reine-Adelaide Jersey . A strong fastball. A big, bending curveball that can buckle hitters at the knees. Against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Elias put the entire package together against one of the leagues strongest lineups. http://www.arsenalsoccerproshop.com/Authentic-Sokratis-Papastathopoulos-Arsenal-Jersey/ . -- Jacksonville Jaguars rookie receiver Marqise Lee has agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth more than $5 million. Lucas Torreira Jersey .com) - Matt Duchene picked up the deciding goal early in the third period and added an assist, as Colorado escaped with a 4-3 victory over Dallas at Pepsi Center. Jack Wilshere Jersey . -- Michigan coach John Beilein is willing to give Nik Stauskas a little leeway when it comes to shot selection.BUFFALO, N.Y. - Terry and Kim Pegula have no immediate plans to tinker with their new NFL team.The last thing the Buffalo Bills (5-3) need is a distraction while in the thick of the AFC playoff race and attempting to end a 14-year playoff drought — the NFLs longest active streakThey need to play football, Terry Pegula said. God bless them, I hope they win every game.Leaving the structure of the team to the off-season, the Pegulas intend to focus on other franchise concerns, which include a commitment to building a new stadium and working on ending the teams series of annual home games in Toronto.Those were among the topics the Bills new owners touched upon during a wide-ranging 20-minute interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday night.Well, theres going to be a new stadium somewhere, thats all I know, Terry Pegula said. The league was pretty emphatic that Buffalo — were a small market — needs to be as competitive as we can.The one answer the Pegulas couldnt provide yet is a location, timeline or how the costs of a new stadium will be split.The Pegulas stressed theyre in no rush after the Bills current home, Ralph Wilson Stadium, underwent $140 million in renovations this off-season.As for the Bills-In-Toronto series, the Pegulas are ready to end it.Were working on that right now, Kim said. We want all the home games to be played in Buffalo, so were working through that. I think its close, but nothings been finalized. But that is our intent.The series was placed on hold in March, when the Bills and Toronto-based Rogers Communications announced an agreement to postpone holding a game north of the border this season. The two sides said they wanted time to evaluate opportunities and build on the foundation to enhance future games.The postponement came after Bills management and players expressed concerns about poor fan support at Rogers Centre in downtown Toronto, and whether it was worth giving up a home game in a bid to expand the franchises exposure in Canadas largest city and financial capital.The Bills have a 1-5 record since the series was launchedd in 2008.dddddddddddd Under the existing agreement, which was renewed in 2013, the Bills were scheduled to play four more regular-season games in Toronto.Toronto is about a two-hour drive from Buffalo and part of the Bills market.The Pegulas, who also own the NHLs Buffalo Sabres, are still in the midst of their transition in the month since buying the Bills from late owner Ralph Wilsons estate for an NFL-record $1.4 billion.Theyre impressed with the job President Russ Brandon has done in overseeing the team during the sale process.Terry said its premature to consider making any changes to the team. And he has not yet determined whether hell hire an outside adviser to evaluate the franchise.I dont think were there yet or if were even going to get there, he said.Buffalo comes out of its bye week preparing to host Kansas City (5-3) on Sunday.The Pegulas are still riding a momentous wave of buzz and relief generated in Buffalo. Their purchase secured the Bills long-term future in western New York amid fears that a new owner would buy and potentially relocate the franchise.There were no such concerns with the Pegulas, who have established firm roots in Buffalo while maintaining their base in Florida. Aside from owning the Sabres, they privately funded the construction of the newly opened HarborCenter, a $172 million downtown hockey and entertainment complex.The two will work as co-owners with no clearly defined roles. Terry is more focused on the team, which is similar to his involvement with the Sabres. Kim will be more focused on stadium amenities and improving fan experiences.The partnership has another advantage, Terry said in noting that at 63 he is 15 years older than Kim.Im older than her, and after what the city of Buffalo just went through with Ralph passing away, I think successor ownership is a nice thing to have, Terry said, noting he intends to have Kim eventually take over as owner.Thats a switch from Wilson, who had no plans of passing the team on to family members.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and http://twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '