Newsletter #449

Many thanks to Steve for taking on MCIVTA for the last 3 weeks; even managing to write some nice editorials on top of putting it together! Got my Xmas cards written now!

Well, I’m back at the helm and to mark this momentous occasion, City… er… lost! Why am I not surprised? Furthermore, the deal for Craig Hignett has fallen through (though there may be more than a little bit of brinksmanship here) and an approach for Branch has failed. My old mate Flixton Red who used to do some match reports for us (from the opposition’s perspective) when we played the Rags (anyone remember?), went to the Oldham game. He rang me to tell me how good he thought Branch looked and how we should buy him immediately; however, he also said how poor Goater looked.

This issue has a match report and several matchviews, as well as some reports of games involving our rivals, watched by Blues. Nothing much has happened on the news front, apart from the aforementioned posturing.

I’m out of Why Blues (this issue has another gem), so please consider telling your story.

Lastly, when you post, it would help me a lot if you could try to make your email look as much like the finished article in MCIVTA as possible. MCIVTA Housestyle (agh!) makes the newsletter look that bit more professional, but is also more work for me! If people could put a title on their articles (in UPPER CASE), as well as including their name and (address in brackets) at the bottom; it would help save just a little bit more time! Thanks.

MATCH REPORT – ‘LIVE’

WYCOMBE WANDERERS vs. MANCHESTER CITY, Tuesday 10th November 1998

‘Welcome to today’s visitors Manchester City. And who would believe that City would be here for a league match?’ Thank you Mr. Tannoy Man. Yes who indeed? For the last visit to Wycombe in September 1995 for a Coca Cola Cup match, City were in the Premiership and included the likes of Kinkladze, Beagrie and Quinn in the side. I went along to that match with an ex-work colleague who supported Wycombe. Patronisingly I commented on how nice it was that these Cup matches allowed the likes of Wycombe to play the big teams like City. Funnily enough for this game I didn’t bother to get in touch. Can’t think why.

Wycombe’s ground has improved considerably since the last visit. Seats for the away fans behind the goal and a large new two tier stand with executive boxes along one side of the pitch. Certainly far from the worse ground City will be playing at this season. However, on tonight’s form I wouldn’t be surprised if City are visiting 21 new grounds next season. Thankfully, I didn’t hang around after the game to hear if Mr. Tannoy Man said ‘And who would believe that City would be here for a league match and get beaten 1-0.’

Keeping the same line-up that won convincingly at Oldham, City lined up in a 4-4-2 formation as follows:-

              Weaver
Edghill  Wiekens  Morrison  Vaughan
Mason    Bishop    Crooks  Horlock
           Goater  Branch

Not much of a change from the 5-3-2 formation that City have been playing with all season. The only difference being that Horlock didn’t drop back into defence as much. But then again, he didn’t get forward much either. City started well, Horlock and Vaughan producing great saves from Martin Taylor in the Wycombe goal inside the first 5 minutes. I was confidently thinking this was going to be a walk over. City had all the play and it was only going to be a matter of time before we scored the first of many. But that goal never came, despite countless corners and constant pressure City couldn’t find a breakthrough. Even though it was all City, their ‘keeper didn’t have to make a decent stop for the rest of the game.

On 34 minutes disaster struck. A long ball out of defence caught Wiekens slightly wrong footed. Their centre forward easily outjumped Wiekens and headed the ball into the path of Andy Baird right in front of goal. Edghill, alert to the danger, dived in at the last moment and nicked the ball back to Weaver. However, Baird fell over Edghill’s outstretched leg and the ref. awarded a penalty, booking Edghill in the process. For me, it was a great challenge and definitely not a penalty. I’d brought my dad along for the game to show him how City have ‘developed’ since the days when he used to take me as kid. Anyway, he thought it was a penalty. But then his eyesight’s not what it was. Looking at the TV replay of the goal it looked like a penalty as well. But then the angle wasn’t as good as mine. Nevertheless, a penalty it was and Simpson put Wycombe one up.

The biggest cheer of the day was reserved for the kids’ penalty shoot out at half-time. The green team were thrashed and afterwards both teams did a lap of honour. As the green team came round they were clapped and cheered as if they’d won the FA Cup. Have we fans developed an affinity with losers?

As our real bunch of losers came back on there was no change in the line-up or performance. City still had the majority of the ball but showed nothing in front of goal. Early into the second half, Joe Royle made a rapid succession of changes. Dickov on for the ineffective Branch. Brown on for Bishop and Allsopp on for Mason. Dickov looked lively, but his end product often let him down. Nevertheless he showed more bite up front than the disinterested Branch.

Still City didn’t create any clear cut chances. Crooks hit two way over, as did Edghill. Goater headed over from the one corner City had that wasn’t immediately cleared. Brown hit a couple of tame shots at the ‘keeper, and despite all City’s possession they didn’t look like scoring. When the assistant linesman displayed 2 minutes injury time to be played, I still hoped we could get our customary late equaliser and go home relatively happy. But no, City didn’t even come close. The whistle went and that was that. Five defeats already this season and 10 points off the leaders. The best City can hope for realistically is a play-off place and promotion via the play-offs at Wembley (which is probably the most exciting way to get promoted). However, if City can’t force a bottom of the table team like Wycombe to make more than 2 saves in a match, and none for the last 85 minutes then the best we can hope for is ‘consolidation’ in Division 2. In my last match report at Millwall, I enthused about 2 City players in particular:- Nick Fenton and Lee Bradbury. Joe Royle subsequently dropped one and sold the other. I guess after supporting City for 28 years I obviously don’t know much about football!

Anyway, for what it’s worth, here’s my summary of the City players tonight. I shall be careful not to be too enthusiastic about anyone just in case Joe Royle is reading! Although, on the evidence from this match it won’t be difficult.

Weaver: Didn’t have anything to do apart from the penalty. 6
Edghill: Best performance in a long time. Good quality balls out of defence. Consistently took players on and often beating them. Unlucky with the penalty. My Man of the Match. No doubt our next player to be sold! 8
Vaughan: Usual poor balls out of defence. Great run and shot early on. Reliable defending. 6
Wiekens: Caught for the goal. Classy player though he is, I would still prefer to see him play in centre midfield and dictate play further up the pitch. Not tall enough to play centre half. Should make way for Fenton or Shelia. 6
Morrison: Good, solid performance. No spectacular goals this time, but good defending. Won every tackle and could make a good partnership alongside a taller centre half. 7
Mason: Neat little passes. Kept possession well but nothing spectacular. 6
Bishop: Same as Mason. 6
Crooks: Good, solid performance. Good tackles and neat passing. But again too similar to Mason and Bishop. City need more variety in their play. They kept possession well, but no real cutting edge. Any of these could make way for a winger. Is Craig Hignett going to make any difference? For me, he’s the same as these three, so here’s hoping he doesn’t find the attraction of living near his kids as great as the money he’s receiving in Aberdeen. Anyway for Crooks: 6
Horlock: So so performance. Horlock is probably the best player City have nowadays and so much is expected of him. But just like his other midfield colleagues nothing special. Nothing happened from his umpteen corners and free-kicks. Just one of those days I guess. 6
Branch: Can’t say I was excited when I heard he was coming to City. Reading that he’d scored about three goals in forty odd games for Everton didn’t exactly inspire me either. But, nevertheless Joe Royle has given him a big build-up and stories of a million pound bid earlier in the day led me to believe he was a read find, ‘the player that would help us forget Gio’. But Oh dear, oh dear. What a poor performance. He consistently lost the ball. Didn’t once beat a Wycombe player, and just didn’t look interested. I expect we’ll hear stories from Royle about how he’s still coming back from injury and still finding his feat in this Division etc. Let’s hope so, because if ever there was a team in need of a saviour right now it’s City. But for me Michael Branch doesn’t look to be that man. 3
Goater: As much as I’d like to please our friends in Bermuda and give Goater at least 5 points, I’m afraid I can’t. After losing the ball with his first 3 touches I decided to count Goater’s success rate on the ball so that I could give an objective account of his performance. Goater was given 22 clean passes throughout the game. This doesn’t include the 50-50 challenges of which he won none. Of the 22 passes, possession was immediately surrended to Wycombe on 14 occasions. My dad commented that City would have been better off playing with 10 men. Enough said. 3
Dickov: Replaced Branch on the hour and although busy his final pass lacked accuracy. 4
Brown: Replaced Bishop shortly after Dickov came on and looked good. He was willing to take players on, and make something out of nothing. Something that his other midfield colleagues were reluctant or unable to do. 7
Allsopp: Replaced Mason for the last quarter of an hour, but made no impact. 3

Overall, City dominated the game and had at least 80% of the possession. The problem was up front. Lack of inventiveness and attacking ideas was City’s downfall. Oh, for somebody to run at the defence and show some imagination.

On that note there was an article in the Times on Saturday (7/11/98) under the heading ‘Quote of the Week’. Commenting on his life with Ajax, Georgi Kinkladze said “It’s OK in Holland, but it’s still not as good as Maine Road. I really miss the place.”

Thanks Joe Royle. Thanks a lot!

MATCHVIEW – WYCOMBE I

I arrived at the ground a few minutes after 8pm, luckily the game had been put back 15 minutes because of severe traffic congestion so I had only missed the first couple of minutes. Already City were camped in the Wycombe half and I rubbed my cold hands in excitement as I relished the destruction of the Wanderers.

It was all City for the first 15 minutes, but then Wycombe managed to get into our half in a move which saw a hopeful overhead kick go well over the bar.

To be honest the game didn’t live up to my initial excitement. It settled into a pattern with Wycombe looking well-organised defensively and City patiently but toothlessly probing away. When Wycombe did go forward our defence looked fairly comfortable. Their goal was totally against the run of play, a good ball found a nippy striker who was through our defence and running towards goal. Edghill was behind him, but was fast enough to catch him, they were both running at speed and there was a little contact, the Wycombe striker went down like a sack of potatoes, Edghill was booked, they scored the penalty and the City fans were left puzzled as to how we could be a goal down.

We carried on playing just as we had done before. The defence knocking the ball along the backline with confidence, but when the ball was moved into midfield we had very little space to play with and we created very few chances, though we did get a bundle of corners.

Surely we’d score in the second half? We started off very brightly again. The midfield looking more up for it. We had a few half chances but it wasn’t going to be our day.

Weaver – Had very little to do.
Edghill – Looked good to me, though he did one or 2 bad passes, he looks a good right back.
Vaughan – Defended well, whacked in a good shot, but didn’t seem very confident or determined coming forward and did some dire passing. Not sure he’s really a left back.
Morrison – Looks like a rugby league player. He’s a big chap, alarmingly slow, but has suprisingly good control. If he had the speed and a lighter frame he’d make a good midfielder. He was great in the air and a organised the back well.
Wiekens – Classy player. Didn’t put a foot wrong but was AWOL for the throughball that lead to the penalty.
Crooks – Big and strong, played as a holding midfielder. Had a really awful time going forward and shooting.
Mason – Looked OK but ran out of ideas. Had one good run at their defence at the start of the second half (before being felled), we could have done with more of that.
Bishop – Looked tidy and composed, great short passes, but maybe he’s a luxury player, Pollock could do the same job of Crooks and Bish combined.
Horlock – Looked good, maybe lacked a bit of determination, wasn’t really up for it.
Branch – Didn’t do much, but at least he tried to make space in between their defence and midfield.
Goater – Was marshalled well by their defence and didn’t really get into the game. He did one good turn and that was that.

Subs:
Dickov – Lively and aggressive, looked our best player but just couldn’t deliver that killer cross.
Brown – Lively and effective – but maybe too defensive.
Allsopp – Didn’t really get a chance.

MATCHVIEW – WYCOMBE II

Oh Well another 3 points lost in the chase for promotion. Wycombe, Bloody Wycombe. Well at least our away following swelled their coffers a bit, as this was their largest away following of the season (and on a bloody cold Tuesday night) which I certainly knew about. We arrived late and I met up with a Wycombe fan I know; he said it best if I wore no colours as they can be a bit funny about letting in away fans into certain pubs, so off with the jacket etc. I borrowed his Wycombe scarf for all of 30 secs to get in. Good job as the local guerrilla (sorry charming doorman) said “Lads technically we’re full but as you’re Wycombe in yer come” (charming, told you so). After a couple of swift ones off to the ground, I was passing the car so get the coat, scarf then. With the gates to the car park locked, confused now and bloody cold, oh well City would dazzle me and I would forget about the cold, well after 3 coffees in the ground I would. After the game the gates were locked for about 45-60 minutes as the police found the key holder to a local firm. So much for the youngster with the Manchester accent that we paid £1.50 to, well done that youngster, with a few pound in his pocket. To the game, City playing 4-4-2 which has been successful in recent weeks.

Weaver, Dodgehill, Vaughan, Morrison, Wiekens, Crooks, Bishop, Mason, Horlock, Branch, Goater

Subs:- Brown, Allsopp, Dickov.

I have seen us play worse this season, the defence looked solid, they rarely threatened at all. Wiekens is absolute class, everything about his game looks good, he passes with pace and accuracy to feet (of other City players) and with Morrison who looks a shrewd buy, we shouldn’t be letting in soft goals through the middle. The midfield hassled and looked busy, but especially in the first half played very few quality balls for Goater or Branch to run on to. I have high hopes for Bishop as he does have that quality about him, especially against Colchester the other week where he virtually won the game for us, but he doesn’t look fit; why not bring him on for the last 30 minutes when the other team is tiring when he can win us games, instead of the first hour when their players are ‘up for their Cup Final’.

Up front we didn’t cut it until Dickov came on and was prepared to have a go. City played the game ‘You shoot, No you shoot, No you shoot etc’. during the second half. Just get on with it and have a crack (well done Dickov), but alas to no good. We have to fight (not literally) to earn the right to pay football in this division. I was impressed with their number eight. Any chance Joe? On the subject of the penalty no matter what Joe says, I was a few feet away and got a perfect view; Edghill you’re a clumsy so and so, it was a penalty, stay on your feet.

Last question before I go why do we consistently play high balls up to Goater when I know one of Snow White’s little friends would win more in the air? Halifax, Friday 13th (oh no, you can feel it in the air). Keep the faith. Any other City fans in East London/Essex?

MATCHVIEW – WYCOMBE III

Full of optimism after two wins, I set off on the relatively short journey from Luton (contact me about tickets for the forthcoming game, if you’re really stuck). Unfortunately I got lost in the dark on country roads and didn’t arrive until 8.20. Parking was a nightmare. The kick-off had been delayed so it wasn’t quite as bad as it might have been. Still, apparently I missed most of City’s best moments – a couple of shots – or so I’m told. I was just about getting my bearings when a long ball caught Edghill out for speed and he made a really clumsy challenge in the area. I had a reasonably good view and there didn’t seem much doubt about it – a penalty – though apparently Edghill claims he made contact with the ball. Weaver was given no chance with a firmly hit strike.

There were no programmes left but the City team looked to be:

               Weaver
Edghill   Wiekens   Morrison  Vaughan
 Crooks   Mason     Bishop   Horlock
            Goater Branch

The goal seemed to rattle City and the game was pretty scrappy until half-time. Plenty of time left to score against the next-to-bottom team!

The second half was almost one way traffic; it reminded me a bit of one of those European games where the away team just defends deeply, except in this case we were the away team and Wycombe were defending in depth. If you remember the script for these games, the attacking team often doesn’t appear to have the nous to break down the opposition. Well City didn’t have a clue!

We made very early substitutions: Dickov came on for Branch and Brown for Bishop but there was little effect on the game. We had almost all the possession up to their penalty area and then completely ran out of ideas. It’s a sad fact but their ‘keeper had to make no real saves, though he was very competent at picking out our poor crosses. Nobody from midfield appeared to be able to break with speed or find a telling pass. It was all huff and puff and high-pace anxiety.

There were only a couple of real attempts on goal – from free kicks but Horlock is no Beckham. Goater managed one header over the bar. There was a general feeling of if we played all night we wouldn’t score. Allsopp replaced Mason near the end.

The back four and Weaver looked very sound; in fact they had a really easy night. Edghill, though, still frightens me at times. Weaver was very commanding on the night but I doubt that he will have many such games where the opposition hardly attack.

Midfield were really busy but ineffective; Bishop looks short of pace. Up front we have real problems and I have to repeat what everyone says: Goater had no touch and rarely got in a winning challenge for a high ball. He was never great but he looks to be losing what confidence he had. I didn’t see much of Branch and I’m not sure why he was substituted so early. This was a disappointment to me, having heard of his ‘Michael Owen’ like pace. His replacement Dickov started with a bang – the usual semi-fisticuffs with one of their defenders – but faded quickly.

I don’t think I’ve seen City win ‘live’ for about three years now! Another hugely disappointing night. Attendance was about 8,300, one of Wycombe’s biggest crowds ever, needless to say. On the way out I heard a man saying to his little son “I can’t believe it, we actually beat Man City.”

MATCHVIEW – WYCOMBE IV

Another false dawn! After the previous two results and what should have been a fixture to notch up a third successive win, City fell flat on their faces once again. Kick-off was delayed from 7:45 until 8:00 due to traffic congestion around the Adams Park ground – nice touch by the authorities that. The majority of the City fans were situated in the Roger Vere Stand – behind Nicky Weaver’s goal in the first half.

City lined up as follows (4-4-2)

             Weaver
Edghill - Weikens - Morrison - Vaughan
Mason - Crooks - Bishop - Horlock
          Goater - Branch

Subs – Brown (Bishop), Dickov (Branch), Allsopp (Mason)

City started the match brightly enough with a flurry of activity in and around the Wycombe penalty area. There were a few crosses and shots-cum-crosses skimming just wide or generating a series of corners. Considering City were the away team, Wycombe did not exert any control on the game and it was City who appeared to have the initiative. After about 20 minutes or so it became apparent that despite having the majority of possession there was a lack of clear-cut chances being created – to our cost. A hopeful ball by one of the Wycombe defenders got flicked on by one of their forwards into the path of another of their players who just managed to get goal-side of Edghill. It looked as though our beloved right back might get a toe in but had the misfortune of bowling over the goal-bound player – the referee deliberated for a nano-second before blowing up for a penalty – Edghill got a yellow card and at one point looked like he was going to be sent off as the referee reached for his top pocket. The resulting spot kick was undeservedly converted.

City came out fighting at the beginning of the second half but there appeared to be a lack of imagination in and around our opponents’ penalty area. It would be unfair to criticise the forwards as they were not getting any quality service. However, Goater did appear to have lead weights in his boots preventing him from reaching some of the crosses (I can’t believe he’s one of the top scorers in this division!). After a lull midway through the half City increased the pressure on the Wycombe goalmouth as the game went on but to be honest we could have played until this time next week and still not scored. I cannot believe that we couldn’t beat a team such as Wycombe who had so little to offer.

Opinion…
Weaver (8) – couple of good saves but didn’t have much to do.
Edghill (5) – kept falling over – complete lack of imagination when going forward. It saddens me to say this but he really ain’t up to the job – get rid.
Vaughan (7) – a few wayward passes up the flank which landed in row X. At least he got forward and showed a willingness to do so.
Wiekens (8) – cool, calm, collected.
Morrison (8) – won a lot in the air – looks very assured – a good buy.
Mason (5) – too lightwight / anonymous.
Crooks (6) – didn’t impose himself on the game – lack of movement.
Bishop (7) – did well in patches – good movement – always our most likely candidate to create something.
Horlock (7) – okay – linked up well with Vaughan down the left.
Goater (5) – no chances to speak of but could do with hussling the opponents a bit more.
Branch (5) – anonymous – where’s the spark? Didn’t realise he was playing. Shame.

Subs:
Dickov (7) – did well – plenty of movement, effort and commitment.
Brown (6) – injected a bit of energy but made a couple of silly challenges for the ball.
Allsop (5) – should maybe have got on earlier – like Dickov.

OLDHAM VIEW

The following has been taken from the Oldham WWW site:

ATHLETIC were lucky not to lose by an even heavier margin and there is no point in trying to gloss over their plight – they are in deep trouble.

You don’t need to be a genius to work out that only one win in 11 league matches – with six points accrued – is relegation form. Athletic look to be heading for the third division.

Whichever way Andy Ritchie turns he seems to be travelling down a blind alley, in stark contrast to Royle, who appears to be gradually getting things right at Maine Road.

The arrival of five new players in recent weeks certainly hasn’t changed Athletic’s fortunes for the better, although central defender Stuart Thom looks a steal at £40,000 and John Sheridan is a class act in midfield.

Athletic still need a big physical presence up front and they also lack width in the side. It would be unfair to heap all criticism on the front men even though Athletic have scored only once in their last five matches. The service they are receiving is lamentable.

Ritchie had intended to play Paul Rickers and Andrew Holt as wing backs, with Duxbury slotting into Rickers’ midfield berth. The injuries resulted in Nicky Spooner and Ian McClean retaining the wing-back spots, Holt playing in the centre of defence and Duxbury replacing Orlygsson. Athletic were sunk by two goals in the first half-hour.

There were question marks about Athletic’s defending each time and, in particular, the goalkeeping of Gary Kelly.

Athletic brought on Adrian Littlejohn for McClean at half time and switched from 3-5-2 to 4-3-3, with Littlejohn joining John McGinlay and Steve Whitehall up front.

It was not long before City found the net legitimately for a third time when when Morrison scored with a thunderous drive from outside the penalty area. Morrison had stayed upfield following a corner. After a poor clearance from Sheridan, he found the top corner with a wonderful volley. City should have added to their tally in the dying minutes as they carved open the Athletic defence time and time again.

It was with some relief that Athletic heard the final whistle, because it spared them from an even heavier drubbing.

ANDY RITCHIE admitted he is still some way from getting things right at Boundary Park. “We still haven’t got the right blend and are working towards that, but it takes time,” explained the Athletic manager.

Ritchie was again disappointed by the lack of service to the front men. Athletic have scored only once in their last five matches.

Ritchie revealed that Gary Kelly told him he had not lined up the defensive wall properly for the second goal. Ritchie blamed his defenders for the opener, saying they hadn’t covered the near post. He admitted there was nothing his side could have done about the third goal, a piledriver from Andy Morrison.

MATCHVIEW – FULHAM

Fulham vs. Bristol Rovers

I woke up with a hangover round at a mate’s house in West London on Saturday so after a couple of restorative pints I decided to check out the opposition and see how our chief competition for success in this league was shaping up. It’s an agreeable wander down to Craven Cottage and it’s nice to be able to hand over a (mere?) tenner at the turnstile and stand on a terrace. And I saw a most enjoyable (if one sided) game of football. But here’s the rub… they were much better than I’ve seen us play this season and on this form they would thrash us (oh yeah, they did thrash us).

Fulham had a standard wing back system – I got the impression it’s their normal set up as all the team seemed totally comfortable with it. The two wing backs Rufus Brevett and Gus Uhlenbeek do what wing backs are supposed to do – run fast and cross well – simple really. The centre of defence was reasonably solid – Chris Coleman almost single handedly snuffed out Rovers’ bright start with three or four very telling tackles with Morgan and Kit S. both fairly unruffled in the face of a fairly frisky front pairing. The midfield were both solid in tackle and enterprising in both their passing and making runs – in fact this was the most noticeable part of the forward play – there was always a runner or two giving the ball carrier options and making space. Paul Bracewell proved what he is – a talented, experienced player making up for his age with nouse – a wriggle and twist out of the middle of three opposition players just in front of his own box before releasing Uhlenbeek into acres of space up the wing was the game’s champagne moment. Up front Peschisolido was outstanding. Full of running, tricks and willing to have a pop at any time – i.e. the anti-Goater. The other bloke (Hayward?) seemed strong and determined as well. The goalie didn’t have much to do but his kicking was crap.

So why only one-nil after such glowing praise? Well, it shouldn’t have been. After going ahead midway through the first half in a scramble (I suppose I’ll find out what happened on tonight’s Carlton extra – thank you City, I can stay up late to luxuriate in three goals rather than in the spirit of masochism) Fulham were almost totally dominant. Rovers’ ‘keeper had to make approximately 12 saves in the first ten minutes of the second half, some of them quite spectacular. Indeed during this period the game was so one sided it seemed that when another goal failed to arrive the confidence dropped. Towards the end after three substitutions had upset the rhythm and Rovers looked like they might snatch an undeserved point the hysterical whistling sounded odd from fans who had been so cocky throughout. When it did come the end was marked by a very concerted effort by the Fulham players to acknowledge the support of the fans.

Off to Wycombe tomorrow – I hope I’m this impressed.

NEWS SUMMARY

Fixture changes and the Blues are on the Telly Again

City’s potential top of the table clash with the Stokies has been brought forward to Friday Jan. 29th and will be shown on satelite telly. The kick-off will be 7.45 and while were on the subject of fixture changes, the away game against Reading at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday, March 27th will start two hours earlier than planned with a 1.00pm kick off. The lunchtime kick-off is because England are involved in a World Cup qualifier later that afternoon against Poland at Wembley. However, there is still a significant chance the game will be postponed from that day if City have players on international duty for Northern Ireland that afternoon in their European Championship qualifier with Germany in Belfast.

Defensive injury blow

Just when we thought we were getting the squad fit and raring to go, an injury to Richard Edghill makes him a major doubt for tomorrow night’s FA Cup first round tie for City against Third Division leaders Halifax Town at Maine Road. The Blues’ right-back, adjudged to have given away the penalty which cost City their fifth defeat of the season at Wycombe on Tuesday night, is set to have an X-ray on a swollen toe and could well miss the clash with Halifax. Meanwhile, Jamie Pollock is unlikely to make his return to first team action tomorrow night, despite playing half a game for the reserves against Bury last night. The City skipper has been named in the squad for the FA Cup tie but will, at best, be on the bench.

Wright saves the day

You know sod all is happening at Maine Road when Tommy Wright`s heroics in the reserve cup get a mention but Tommy Wright was the hero for the City reserves last night as they beat Bury in the Manchester Senior Cup at Altrincham’s Moss Lane. The Blues beat the Shakers 3-1 on penalties after a goalless ninety minutes. Organisation was at its usual best when the players had started to walk off the pitch before being told that there was a shoot-out. Wright saved three Bury spot-kicks, while City’s successful penalty takers were Neil Heaney, Jeff Whitley and Ray Kelly. Asked what had motivated Wrighty to his man of the match performance he replied “Sure there was only gonna be one winner of the award when we heard the prize was 20 crates of special brew!”

Hignett/Branch saga rolls on

If you’re still interested in the on-off transfer speculation then here are the details: There’ve been no further developments in Joe Royle’s attempts to sign Michael Branch from Everton on a permanent basis. Everton value the young striker at £1.5 million while Royle has denied reports that he has bid £1.1 million for Branch, who is cup-tied for tomorrow night’s clash with Halifax. Meanwhile, without trying to bore you to death, it would seem as though City’s attempts to sign Aberdeen’s Craig Hignett may not be dead despite Joe Royle appearing to give up on the deal earlier this week. Royle claimed that City didn’t have the money to meet Aberdeen’s £1 million valuation of Hignett, despite agreeing exactly that amount with Oxford for Joey Beauchamp last week. Beauchamp, incidentally, is on the verge of an £800,000 move to Nottingham Forest. City had a £500,000 bid for Hignett rejected this week, with Aberdeen now allowing the midfielder four days off a week to visit his children in Cheshire, which means that Hignett is staying at Aberdeen, for the time being at least. He said yesterday: “The club have told me they rejected a £500,000 bid from Manchester City and say they will only accept £1 million. I think that is an unrealistic figure as they picked me up for nothing during the summer. They also might have a problem getting £1 million. I thought the offer from Manchester City was a good one but it is up to the club in the end whether to accept it or not. The ball is in their court.”

Royle remains defiant (a.k.a. What the hell do I do now?)

Joe Royle is refusing to panic (well he’s the only one not panicking, you should have been on ICQ last Tuesday Joe!) despite City’s failure to confirm their status as promotion favourites in the Second Division. The Blues take a break from league action to open their FA Cup campaign against Halifax Town tomorrow night but Joe Royle is still not too worried despite the loss to Wycombe on Tuesday. “We’re still within striking distance of the leaders and we have the top teams to play again. We are only just into the second third of the season and we haven’t had our run yet,” maintained Royle, whose side are now stranded 10 points behind Stoke whom the Blues meet twice in the space of a month at the turn of the year. City’s best run of the season is three successive victories at the start of September.

Remember Richard Jobson being on the verge of returning to first team action?

Well Richie has suffered a further blow in his attempts to make a long-awaited comeback for the Blues. The veteran centre back is still struggling to find his fitness following an ankle operation more than four weeks ago. Jobson, signed by Joe Royle towards the end of last season, has seen Andy Morrison shine in the central defensive berth following his transfer from Huddersfield Town. Jobson is spending a lot of time in the gym building up his right leg but his chances of making a return before the end of the year appear slim (i.e. none). He has yet to start a game this season and the injury has not healed as quickly as he would have hoped. By now Jobson was hoping to be challenging for a return to the senior side. (Yawn) This guy was injury prone at Leeds, who gave him his medical? Agggggggghhh!

Rest of the Blues’ news

The City reserves’ Pontin’s League clash at Grimsby, postponed once again from last Tuesday night, will now be played in February, so get your woolies out lads. Meanwhile, City’s FA Youth Cup first round replay against Chester, postponed from last night, will now be played next Wednesday, November 18th, at Maine Road, with a 6.45pm kick-off. Meanwhile, there was a City old boys’ reunion at the club this week when Sunderland were allowed to use City’s Platt Lane training facilities ahead of their Worthington Cup clash at Everton last night. Former City boss Peter Reid, ex-City scout Bobby Saxton and, of course, former City striker Niall Quinn all returned to the club yesterday. I bet the autograph hunters thought they had gone back in time when that lot turned up at Platt Lane. I heard they were looking for Clive Tysoe a.k.a. Gio’s Bootlicker to see if they could play for the foreigners in the TG2 fives next weekend. Elsewhere, City winger target Lee Sharpe has been transfer listed by Leeds United (he’s been out injured for ages, is unfit and will cost a million, sounds just what we need to keep Rihard Jobson company at Lilleshall; former Blues on loan striker Peter Beardsley has joined Fulham on a free transfer from Bolton, while former City coach Richard Money is being tipped to become the new manager of the Third Division’s bottom club Hull City, yeah I’m bet he’s glad he stayed put when Kendall wanted him at Everton.

Oasis star sees City lose (well Noel at least we’ve got something in common mate)

One of City’s most famous fans was in the crowd at Adams Park last night to watch the clash with Wycombe. Oasis star Noel Gallagher bought tickets the day before the match so he could watch his favourite club in action. He lives in London and decided to make the short trip to Buckinghamshire to see how City are faring in Division Two. Gallagher has been to Reading and Queens Park Rangers in recent seasons to watch the Blues play. Wow Noel I’m impressed, I ask ya if you had his money wouldn’t you get up to Maine Road every now again instead of prancing around suburbia?

TUESDAY NEWS – HIGNETT

David Bernstein is currently in Aberdeen negotiating the deal for Craig Hignett. It turns out that an AFC shareholders’ meeting was held last night and they voted not to take any City players in a part exchange, they want cash only. They put up a price of £1 million and City have come in at £750K, which Aberdeen are expected to jump at, as this is £100K more than they thought they’d get. The deal should be finalised today.

My “mole” has promised to keep me up with the latest.

WEDNESDAY NEWS – HIGNETT

Well, it appears this deal is turning sour. City only offered £350K plus another £150K based on appearances making the total deal of £500K half a million short of what Aberdeen have set their heart on. IMHO, Aberdeen are being greedy, as they signed Hignett on a free transfer, plus the player himself has offered to give back any money they have paid him to get out of there which would mean AFC would have got a third of a season’s free service from him. Not to be, AFC want a million and will not budge – it was hinted to me that AFC fully expect City to come back with a better offer soon so there’s a bit of poker tactics going on. Hignett himself has threatened to go on strike, à la Van Hooijdonk, if they don’t let him go – but the difference here is that AFC don’t have £5 million invested in Hignett, who is under contract for another 20 months. It’s all getting very messy.

KERNAGHAN’S LAMENT

A certain Alan Kernaghan was given an exclusive in an Irish paper with the heading ‘City nearly ruined me’. He went on to say that joining City was the worst mistake that he ever made during his career. He states that he played under seven City managers, well Alan they can’t all be wrong (along with 28,000+ supporters every week) in knowing that you suffered severe deficencies in your game. What a cheek from a man whose team St Johnstone then went on to let in seven goals against Rangers on Sunday. Hopefully one for each of the managers you played for under City.

TG2 – THE RETURN OF THE TRIBE… 20-22 NOVEMBER

Check out the Itinerary for TG2 at http://www.mancity.net/isc/gathering/index2.htm.

Plenty to enjoy and opportunities to meet your fellow Internet Blues. I’m offline from (and including) Sunday 15 November, but if you have any questions, please email me on harmony@candw.lc or call me at my UK address (from 16 November) on 0161-430-2568

Looking forward to meeting you all (again).

SNIPPETS

A guy wrote in to the Danny Baker Show last week with the following tale. Apparently, he was working on a YTS scheme at Aldershot, around the time that they went bust. His job was that of general dogsbody and duties included answering the phone. One day he received a call from Bobby Saxton, then City’s chief scout, wanting to purchase one of the Aldershot team. Less than motivated, our hero forgot to pass the message on to the club’s management, and a mere week or so later, the club folded and left the league. Our part in their downfall.

I am now undeniably curious as to who this player actually was. Any ideas?

Halifax Warning:
As I mentioned in MCIVTA 448, on Friday we’ll come up against ex-City ’86 Youth Cup winner Andy Thackerey. What price first goal, I mused? Well this full back cum midfielder scored two on Tuesday to put his side top of Division 3.

IN CONTEXT

To prove to Man City fans that life could be worse, here’s a list of ten teams currently residing in their country’s Premier divisions, who have never won a Premier title or a cup:

1. Bari (Italy)
2. Piacenza (Italy)
3. Vitoria Guimaraes (Portugal)
4. Rotor Volgograd (Russia)
5. RC Celta (Vigo) (Spain)
6. Real Oviedo (Spain)
7. Samsunspor (Turkey)
8. VFL Bochum (Germany)
9. Udinese (Italy)
10. Middlesbrough… The Anglo Scottish triumph of 1976 doesn’t count you sad b*****ds.

Ten clubs who disprove the theory that Sky Blue and White is a hindrance to their success:

1. Lazio (Italy)
2. Ruch Chorzow (Poland)
3. RC Strasbourg (France)
4. Olympique Marseille (France)
5. TSV 1860 Munchen (Germany)
6. MTK (Budapest) (Hungary)
7. Malmo FF (Sweden)
8. RC Celta (Spain)
9. Dinamo Minsk (Belarus)
10. Erm, Argentina.

TRAUTMANN ON TV!

Was just called into the lounge with a shout of “It’s that bloke whose magazine you write for”. On arrival, lo and behold, it was Bert Trautmann. It was Bob Wilson’s ‘This is Your Life” and he was Bob’s all time hero. They showed the 1956 Cup Final with Bert breaking his neck and still diving at the feet of attackers – that’s what we expect from our ‘keepers, young Weaver.

SCHWARZER

A friend of mine sent me the following snippet from a recent edition of the Middlesbrough bulletin board. It’s from an interview with Mark Schwarzer, where he discusses his failure to sign for City:

After only 4 appearances in 2 seasons at Kaiserslautern, Mark decided his next stop would be England. One of the rumours at the time was that he only ended up signing for Bradford because Man City’s scout told manager Frank Clark not to sign him because he had an earring! “Well, if that’s the story they’re coming out with, then it just shows they realise they’ve made a mistake,” he said. “It was my own decision not to sign for Manchester City. I was desperate to come to England and would have been thrilled to play at City but, although I didn’t realise to start with, the club was in turmoil. I discovered that throughout the negotiations. I went there on trial and played for the reserves against Bradford. City had first choice on me, they sent me an offer in Germany but a figure was missing from the sums, they weren’t right. Then they rang to ask why I hadn’t signed it and claimed it was ‘just a typing mistake’, but I thought something was up and that just typified what was wrong with Man City.”

AN EVENING IN BRENTFORD

After getting home and learning through Ceefax of the City result against Wycombe I realised that I had made the right decision to see Southend play Brentford at Griffin Park.

A work colleague who supports Southend had pressganged three of us to attend. We work on the A4’s “golden mile” so it was a 15 minute walk to the ground, although we arrived 10 minutes late due to a second beer.

I had previously visited Griffin Park over Easter 1997 when Bury were the visitors pushing for promotion to Division 1. Bury completely outplayed Brentford that day 3-0 (or 3-1). Brentford had been top for most of that season but lost the plot towards the end and missed out (Bury suprisingly gaining the Championship). Last season Brentford were relegated and this season they are in the top 5.

Brentford dominated the first half and took a 2-0 lead. They were far the more inventive team, being far quicker to break and get the ball wide. Southend, whose songs include the prosaic “Southend on Sea, Southend on Sea, the longest pier you’ll ever see” to the tune of The Red Flag, started the second half the better and should have scored. Not suprisingly however after soaking up 10 minutes of pressure Brentford broke and scored a third. Southend then pulled one back before Brentford got a fourth.

Being a neutral it was a good match, far better than many of the City matches I have seen recently whilst in London. I think I must have put the hex on Southend having not seen City win a league match away in 15 years. I judiciously decided not to pass these comforting words on.

Southend are plummeting down the division and their fans lambasted their manager Alvin Martin throughout the second half. The only player they openly criticised was Barry Conlon who took some right stick but played no worse than any other of their players. Perhaps he is keeping a favourite on the bench? Southend also broke into refrains of “We’re s**t and we’ve had enough”, “We’re s**t and we’re sick of it” and “You’re not fit to wear the shirt”. These three being known intimately by City fans. Indeed I was tempted to slap an injunction and litigate for royalties as these tunes are copyright CTID’s. Again a sense of self-preservation got the better of me.

The highlight of the evening was the steak and kidney pies which were hot and had crisp crusts. A far better proposition at £1 than the BSE burgers at £2.20. Memories of that BBC drama with Bob Peck some years ago came flooding back and despite my hunger I could not force myself to go for the burger.

All that for £9, a bargain if ever there was one. Cheer up Blues we are not alone.

OPINION – RAGS ON BLUEVIEW

Not only do I have my usual stiff neck after listening to the Piccadilly commentary but I, along with all other Blue Viewers, had to suffer the pathetic, annoying, sarcastic comments of some Rag who had nothing better to do with his night than join us Blues on Blue View. Ok, I’m p****d because we lost. OK, I’m p****d because I thought we’d turned the corner and could have won three in a row for the first time since ’92. But it’s not OK to let these scummy ****ers on Blue View. Is there any way we can keep those b*****ds off Blue View? I should be used to the p***-taking by now, but I really felt enraged to hear that b*****d gloat. I guess the net is based on democratic principles, which means that there’s no way we can keep the scum out, but still…

I just hope this is a mere hiccup and we can string three wins together before the end of this year.

OPINION – PERPLEXED!

I’m perplexed?

How is it Stoke, Fulham, Gillingham, Chesterfield etc. are getting results and City are floundering mid table in… choke… Division 2? When did Goater last score? If Branch is as great as everyone says (£1.1 million?) why has he scored 0 from 3? The defence sounds nearly right, but save the odd occasion we get stuff all at the other end!

Doesn’t bode well leading into games vs. performing sides like Gillingham and bogey side Luton. We havn’t played Stoke yet either. Ten points adrift at Christmas and you can book your tickets for Colchester again before January.

To lose 5 of 18 and draw another 6 is unacceptable… I’m gutted by the latest result, crikey Halifax will certainly feel positive on Friday now. Bloody hell I want my social side to have a crack at City now the way things are going.

Get hard City! Where’s your guts?

I’m off to buy a punching bag for Christmas.

OPINION – POOR SUPPORT AT HOME

Reading the recent articles which suggest the team’s poor performance is down to the fans barracking the players, I agree this doesn’t help, but it isn’t the whole story.

I have just seen the result of last nights game against Wycombe on Teletext, and I want to know what the excuse is this time.

It can’t be the fans because the away support is always outstanding. In the few games I have been able to get to in the past couple of seasons, they were all away games, and without exception, the fans were magnificent. They were 110% behind the team at the start of the game, and always made more noise than the home fans. I know this for a fact, because I was at Wolves 0-3 game a couple of seasons ago and had to watch from the family enclosure (don’t ask – I may reveal all in a Why Blue? later) opposite the away supporters. To those fans there that day I salute you; you were awe inspiring, you sent tingles up my back and made me proud to be a Blue in the way you supported our team. It was a shame it didn’t have the same effect on the players though!

So my contention is that if our players can’t raise their game when they have positive support behind them, I don’t think they can use negative support as an excuse for poor displays.

I await the match reports (and a big thank you to all those who take time to do this for us exiled Blues) with morbid interest.

LUTON TICKETS FOR SALE

My girlfriend and I got our Luton away Tickets on Saturday morning from Maine Road and this week I had a horrible thought – my works Christmas “Do” is on Saturday November 28th and we’ll not get back in time so I’ll have to miss the game (I know, priorities and all that, but it’s my 1st Christmas bash at this place of work…).

Hence 2 tickets for sale. Cost £13 each. I live in Leigh, possibly willing to deliver if necessary as long as it’s not too far, or you can collect if you want.

Email me with the word “Luton” in the subject line if you’re interested.

REQUEST – WHYTELEAF TAVERN

In a recent City program, it was mentioned that some Man City fans from Kent and Surrey meet up in a Pub called the Whyteleaf Tavern in Whyteleaf. The number given for contact about this was invalid when dialed. Unfortunately I can’t find the programme at the moment, so if any one on the MCIVTA mailing list knows anything about it could they get in touch please.

REQUEST – CAMBRIDGE TO LUTON

There are 5 Blues coming up from Cambridge to the Luton game and we’re looking to find some more people to travel with. Please email Dave at dfz20@cam.ac.uk if you are going from Cambridge to Luton.

WHY BLUE?

Why Blue? Because Manchester City was, and will be again, one of the glory teams of British football. And because you remain faithful to your one love. And finally, as so many fans have pointed out in these pages, to be a City fan is to be part of something special – no matter the disappointments that fly in our face like litter whipped up by the wind.

Typically, for a fan of the Blues, my first clear memory of a City result is of a defeat – our loss in the semi-final of the European Cup Winners’ Cup at the hands of Chelsea. Sadly, I was too young to have been present at the victories of the late sixties and early seventies. But at least I’ve seen some of the action on video!

In 1973, when I was 9, I began to attend matches with my brother Gary. These were the days of Colin Bell, Tommy Booth, Mike Doyle, Rodney Marsh, the ever-improving Joe Corrigan, and of course Denis Law – and his infamous back-heel. My first big occasion as a fan was to go to Wembley in 1974 for the League Cup final against Wolves. The disappointment I felt at losing 2-1 was only superseded by the gnawing hunger I felt as we clambered onto the return train back home.

The League Cup run in 1976 featured promising young players in the City team, including Gary Owen, and how they shone in a 4-0 demolition of Middlesbrough on the way to the final. My dad was still looking for a parking space and missed the opening two goals that night. Gary took me to London in 1976 when Dennis Tueart’s stunning overhead effort clinched the cup. The muscular Joe Royle was in our team, along with the wonderfully dependable Willie Donachie, and the often inspirational Asa Hartford – although his shooting certainly left something to be desired.

Under the wise guidance of Tony Book, City’s resurgence began; he built a team of skill and steel. I can still feel the chill of the evenings and the excitement of the crowd at our home European games in the late seventies. I can vividly picture the great Dave Watson’s bullet header against Ipswich in 1977, when we were ultimately to finish one point adrift of the Championship, and for a period we were indubitably a quality outfit. And yet, by 1979, with Malcolm Allison back – proving that you can’t go, or shouldn’t go home again – City was losing its way. Book was displaced, and Allison’s wild spending, in tandem with Peter Swales’ financial swagger, set in motion near-disaster.

I think we supporters knew that Steve Daley was no more than a decent midfielder, yet he was bought for the outrageous sum of one point four million. Watching him on the pitch, you could almost see the weight of the price tag around his neck. He was Allison and Swales’ centrepiece to flaunt City’s big club status, but it was to our detriment.

When John Bond came on board, and astutely acquired three seasoned campaigners in the form of Hutchinson, McDonald, and the ferocious Gow, we had a fighting team, and another excursion to Wembley. I remember running out of Goodison Park with Gary immediately after Paul Power scored against Everton in the F.A. Cup; we were a little concerned with violence outside the ground. But in the safety of his Ford Cortina as we sped back to Manchester, we were exultant. And no City fan who was at Villa Park for the semi-final will forget the ecstasy that followed Power’s swooping free kick against Ipswich.

After the disappointment of the draw against Spurs on cup final day, Gary and I knew we had to return to London for the replay. I was in my last year at William Hulme’s Grammar School, working hard for ‘A’ Levels, but that wasn’t going to stop me. I skived off school and we headed down south. Although outnumbered by Spurs fans, we made our voices heard, and after the shock of their early goal, we vaulted towards heaven when Steve McKenzie’s thunderbolt brought us level. My delirium wasn’t subdued by a shower of beer from some disgruntled Tottenham fans in the next section. But the victory wasn’t to be – thanks to Ricky Villa.

With the profits of the F.A. Cup progress, we signed Trevor Francis, and it was a coup. Do you remember that Christmas and New Year of 1981, when we beat Liverpool at Anfield to go top of the table? And yet, we let Francis go to Sampdoria, and the rot set in. Francis told a newspaper that finances were so bad at City that players had to buy their own crisps on away journeys!

The mid-eighties found me at university, and I saw fewer games. I was there, however, to witness David Pleat’s infamous dance when Luton (with a certain Brian Horton in the team) beat us to stay up and send us down. I was there when we hammered Charlton on the last day of the 84-85 season to return to the top division. I was there when we massacred Huddersfield 10-1 (after they had the best of the opening minutes). And I was there for the 5-1 trouncing of United, and can easily reconstruct the final goal. Ian Bishop’s majestic cross-field ball, David White’s powerful wing-play, and Andy Hinchcliffe’s perfect, lethal header to seal a memorable day.

I’ve been living in Los Angeles since August 1990, but get back to Manchester at least once a year. As so many of us ex-patriots will testify, the ‘net, MCIVTA, Doug Bennett’s Blue View, and Mike’s City Service are invaluable; they help us track City as if were still home, and my deep thanks to all involved. Having just bought a computer for home, I relish the live commentary from City games after I rise early on Saturday morning.

The early nineties held promise for us; I can recall reading a ‘Sunday Times’ article in, I think, 1991, that predicted a second place finish for the club. But as we know, so much has gone wrong. Poor choices of managers, the collapse of our once vaunted youth system, far too many ordinary players on high wages, the powers-that-be taking advantage of the now-legendary loyalty of City fans, and so much dissension and back-stabbing within the club.

I am delighted Joe Royle took the City job. His sterling work for Oldham is incontestable, and he is the first City manager since Howard Kendall to have won a trophy. Look at how he has cleared a lot of the deadwood from the squad. And look how he is promoting youth; with what I read of Fenton, Mason and Weaver, we have youthful potential indeed. United may have had far more money to spend, but with a superb manager in Alex Ferguson, a great assistant in Brian Kidd, and an unrivalled youth policy, they have reaped the benefits of a youth development policy that works. Francis Lee never had the financial muscle to back his dreams; in David Bernstein, I feel we have a steady and sensible chairman, and the future is beginning to glow.

To conclude: a selection of memories, good and bad. The tackle by Martin Buchan on Colin Bell that essentially ended Nijinksy’s career, and how we carried on to vanquish our rivals that night. And Bell’s long-dreamed of return to action against Newcastle. At half-time, it was a sterile 0-0. Full-time, a 4-0 romp for City.

The emergence of Peter Barnes; he was a player of great promise. When he got the ball and ran, people stood and craned their necks. Franny Lee’s winning goal against us at Maine Road for Derby in 1975. A sickening feeling, and the question: why did we sell him? Kidd’s goals against Leicester City when we won 5-0, and the game was the featured fixture on ‘Match of the Day’. Paul Stewart’s over 20-goal season, and Paul Simpson’s goal surge when he emerged from the reserve team to rescue our year. The sending off of Trevor Francis for the first time (and only time?) in his career. Colin Hendry’s Viking presence in the team, and letting him return to a pre-Daglish Blackburn. The 6-0 victories against Norwich in 1981 on the way to Wembley, and last season’s destruction of Swindon, with Gio beginning the scoring. And the 1985 Full Members’ final, when we were 5-1 down to a pre-Gullit Chelsea, and we staged an astonishing comeback to 5-4! Just as we did against in that final, we will fight, and we will taste glory again.

RESULTS

Second Division Results, Tuesday, November 10 1998

Bristol Rovers     0-2 Blackpool         5,361
                       Ormerod (69)
                       Lawson (75)
Burnley            0-2 Stoke City       10,575
Lightbourne (47)
                       Thorne (62)
Chesterfield       3-1 Bournemouth       3,797
Curtis (25, 77)        Curtis (og 32)
Ebdon (39)
Colchester United  1-0 Northampton Town  3,597
Greene (88)
Gillingham         2-1 Oldham Athletic   5,188
Asaba (76)             Whitehall (69)
Patterson (77)
Preston North End  0-1 Millwall         10,228
                       Shaw (17)
Walsall            2-1 Lincoln City      3,698
Wrack (70)             Battersby (8)
Otter (90)
Wrexham            0-2 Fulham            3,485
                       Uhlenbeek (14)
                       Peschisolido (30)
Wycombe Wanderers  1-0 Manchester City   8,129
Simpson (pen 34)
York City          0-2 Macclesfield Town 2,713
                       Sedgemore (26)
                       Sorvel (38)

Second Division Results, Wednesday, November 11 1998

Reading            0-1 Wigan Athletic    9,317
                       Bradshaw (pen 8)

Second Division Table, up to and including Wednesday, November 11 1998 (9:58pm)

                               HOME            AWAY
                         P  W  D  L  F  A   W  D  L  F  A   Pts   GS
Stoke City              18  6  1  1 13  5   6  0  4 14 10    37   27
Fulham                  16  5  2  1 15  7   6  1  1 11  5    36   26
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Walsall                 18  6  2  2 16 10   5  0  3 12 13    35   28
Preston North End       17  5  2  2 21  9   4  3  1 11  8    32   32
Gillingham              18  6  2  2 18  8   1  6  1 10 10    29   28
Chesterfield            16  8  0  1 16  4   0  4  3  1  6    28   17
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Manchester City         18  4  3  2 13  8   3  3  3 10 10    27   23
Luton Town              16  5  1  1  9  2   3  2  4 12 14    27   21
Millwall                18  4  4  1 11  6   3  1  5  7 14    26   18
Blackpool               17  4  1  3 14 11   3  3  3 10 12    25   24
Bournemouth             16  4  3  0 13  5   2  3  4 11 14    24   24
Wigan Athletic          17  4  1  3 13  6   3  1  5  9 12    23   22
Reading                 17  3  5  1 12  8   3  0  5  8 16    23   20
Bristol Rovers          18  5  3  2 17 11   0  3  5  4 11    21   21
Notts County            17  3  2  3 10  9   2  4  3 10 12    21   20
Wrexham                 18  5  3  3 14 12   0  3  4  3 12    21   17
York City               17  2  4  2 11 10   3  1  5 11 20    20   22
Burnley                 18  4  3  2 10  9   1  2  6 11 16    20   21
Colchester United       17  3  2  3  6  9   2  3  4 10 13    20   16
Macclesfield Town       18  2  2  4  6  8   2  4  4 10 15    18   16
Northampton Town        18  1  6  1 10 10   2  2  6  7 11    17   17
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Wycombe Wanderers       18  3  2  5 12 11   0  3  5  4 14    14   16
Oldham Athletic         18  2  2  5  8 13   1  2  6  6 15    13   14
Lincoln City            17  2  0  6 11 16   1  2  6  5 16    11   16

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