Newsletter #1598

Reaction tonight Mancini’s first dealings in the transfer window as ex-Arsenal player Patrick Viera arrives.

We also have news on a special hotel deal for Blues in Manchester.

OPINION: VIERA

The first signing by Roberto Mancini is Patrick Viera, a bit of a gamble – which I like – they both know each other from when Mancini coached Inter.

I saw Viera play a very good game for Inter Milan versus Chievo on January 6th, I feel very confident about the player.

This is the challenge that Viera wants; if he plays well he gets to play on a regular basis for City, and that gives him the chance of playing for France in the World Cup.

A similar situation as to Becks at AC Milan wanting to play for England.

So we should see a very strong effort from the Viera, and that will make everyone happy except our opponents.

Patrick Viera is now 33 years old and can still give City that extra push we need to get a top four finish and do well in the Carling and FA Cups; he can also help some of our younger players with his wealth of experience.

Welcome to City and good luck – help us tear down that bloody banner at the Swamp!

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: THIS AND THAT

Just reading John Motson’s bio (potentially the best Xmas gift I have ever had, much better than the Argyll tartan socks anyway).

Motty mentions his first conversation with Fabio Capello, who spent his first 6 months in charge watching England videos. Motty said that FC was almost physically sick when he watched England lose 3-2 to Croatia and fail to qualify for the Euros. FC asked what did you need to do in this game and Barwick (the ageing slap head blazer wearing scouse big wig in the FA that looks like Capt Mainwaring) said that “all we had to do was draw”. FC said in astonishment but you (we) were 2-0 up. Fabio shook his head and said in Italy and all Italian clubs and Managers kill the game at 2-0.

Not very attractive but it is what England needed and so far this season as far as City is concerned we have seen:

• City vs. Fulham 2-0 up (2-2)
• City vs. Burnley 3-2 up (3-3)
• Liverpool vs. City 1-2 up (2-2)
• United vs. City 3-3 (L 3-4)

I’m not rubbing my hands with glee with the signing of Viera but maybe he knows something we don’t, maybe an old hand to steady the ship, calm the nerves, stifle the opposition’s play and kill the game with an experienced head.

The jury is out for me on this once but had we done what Capello wanted or maybe what Bob Manc thinks PV will do for us then we could have been 7 points better off.

Let the games begin; as Elbow says: “Throw those curtains wide and open that transfer window”…

Happy New Year.

P.S. Apologies for the mixed metaphor in this message, it is impossible to be simultaneously a slap head and a big wig.

REQUEST: BLUES HOTEL DEAL

I just wanted to quickly introduce you to a hotel we have recently bought in Manchester city centre in the hope that you may be able to promote our special rates to fellow Manchester City supporters!

The Mitre Hotel is located in the heart of the city centre with its neighbours being Manchester Cathedral on one side and Harvey Nichols on the other. It has two large bars, a restaurant, function room, meeting room and 32 en suite bedrooms.

We are currently offering all Manchester City fans a special rate of £20 per person including a full English breakfast (based on 2 people sharing).

I would be very grateful indeed if you could inform any of your members or friends who will be coming to watch any games at The City of Manchester Stadium.

Please see the website for further details: http://www.themitrehotel.net/

RESULTS

League table to 10 January 2010 inclusive

                            HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L   F   A  GD Pts
 1 Chelsea         20  9  1  0 27  6  5  2  3 18 10 14  3  3  45  16  29  45
 2 Manchester Utd  21  8  1  1 24  8  6  1  4 22 11 14  2  5  46  19  27  44
 3 Arsenal         20  8  1  1 30  9  5  2  3 23 14 13  3  4  53  23  30  42
 4 Tottenham H.    20  7  0  3 26  8  4  4  2 16 14 11  4  5  42  22  20  37
 5 Manchester City 19  6  3  0 22 13  3  5  2 16 14  9  8  2  38  27  11  35
 6 Aston Villa     20  6  2  2 17  7  4  3  3 12 11 10  5  5  29  18  11  35
 7 Liverpool       20  6  2  2 26 11  4  1  5 11 14 10  3  7  37  25  12  33
 8 Birmingham City 21  5  4  2  9  6  4  2  4 12 13  9  6  6  21  19   2  33
 9 Fulham          20  6  2  2 15  6  1  4  5 11 16  7  6  7  26  22   4  27
10 Stoke City      20  5  2  3 14 12  1  4  5  4 13  6  6  8  18  25  -7  24
11 Sunderland      20  5  3  2 18 13  1  2  7 10 18  6  5  9  28  31  -3  23
12 Everton         20  3  5  2 14 15  2  3  5 14 19  5  8  7  28  34  -6  23
13 Blackburn R.    20  4  4  2 13 11  1  2  7  7 24  5  6  9  20  35 -15  21
14 Burnley         20  5  4  1 14  9  0  1  9  8 31  5  5 10  22  40 -18  20
15 Wolves          20  3  2  5  9 15  2  2  6  8 21  5  4 11  17  36 -19  19
16 Wigan Athletic  19  3  3  3 10 13  2  1  7 11 31  5  4 10  21  44 -23  19
17 West Ham United 20  3  3  4 18 20  1  3  6 10 17  4  6 10  28  37  -9  18
18 Bolton Wndrs    18  2  4  4 16 21  2  2  4 10 15  4  6  8  26  36 -10  18
19 Hull City       20  4  3  3 13 16  0  3  7  7 26  4  6 10  20  42 -22  18
20 Portsmouth      20  3  0  7 13 16  1  2  7  5 16  4  2 14  18  32 -14  14

Heidi Pickup, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: