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. Hakeem Butler Jersey . Then youve got to worry about the other up and coming teams in the two weaker divisions in the "Junior Circuit". Vincent Valentine Jersey . Louis Cardinals placed outfielder Allen Craig on the 15-day disabled list with a right knee contusion on Sunday. http://www.cheaparizonacardinalsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-darrell-daniels-jersey . "We cannot stay the same way the whole season long," said Reyes. "This is not acceptable. Something needs to change because were a better team than what were showing right now. Its a long season and we just need to continue to push." Its been a frustrating week for the ballclub. Chase Edmonds Jersey . Sure, Josh Browns 45-yard field goal on the third drive of overtime lifted the New York Giants to a 23-20 win over Detroit on Sunday. But the Lions (7-8) dropped themselves out of the NFC North race by losing five of their last six games, blowing fourth-quarter leads in each setback. Xavier Turner Jersey . "Uuufff," was all shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria could come up with after Stantons latest mammoth shot.San Diego, CA (SportsNetwork.com) - Jon Lester has reunited with Theo Epstein. Lester agreed to a six-year deal with the Chicago Cubs early Wednesday morning, according to a report. The Cubs and Boston Red Sox were the only teams remaining in the Lester sweepstakes on Tuesday night after the San Francisco Giants and the Los Angeles Dodgers backed out, per reports. Yahoo Sports! is reporting the pact to be for $155 million. The 30-year-old Lester went 6-4 with a 2.35 ERA for the Oakland Athletics after he and outfielder Jonny Gomes were acquired in a blockbuster trade- deadline swap from the Red Sox for outfielder Yoenis Cespedes. The southpaw went 16-11 wiith a career-best 2.dddddddddddd46 ERA in 2014. Lester is most known for his prowess in the postseason, where he is 6-4 with 2.57 ERA in 14 career appearances, including a perfect 3-0 mark with a sparkling 0.43 ERA in the World Series. Lester has a 116-67 record with a 3.58 ERA over his nine-year career. He turned down a $70 million contract extension from Boston during the spring, the team which he helped win two World Series titles. Epstein became the youngest general manager in MLB history when the Red Sox hired him following the 2002 season and helped them win a pair of World Series prior becoming the president of baseball operations for the Cubs in 2011.