Newsletter #938
Firstly, many thanks to Colin for stepping in and taking care of issues 936 and 937. Gratefully appreciated by all, Colin.
Berkovic reportedly put in a request for a transfer at the end of last week; there’s plenty of opinion on him and latest news indicating that he may be withdrawing that request. The Sibierski deal is also now completed in a £700,000 move from Lens on a 3 year deal.
Tonight we have match reports – thanks to Gavin – from a couple of the recent friendly games, opinion on midfielders, Ode to Eastlands, more on the official website problems and the usual requests.
Next game: MCFC vs. Barcelona, 3pm Sunday 10 August (friendly)MATCH REPORT: Harrogate Town 3 MCFC 1
Town Overpower City’s Young Guns
In a game of many substitutions and re-substitutions the more experienced non-league team came out on top, in front of a strong crowd of more than a thousand at their Wetherby Road home. An own goal from City’s right back, Craig Smith, and a brace from Robbie Whellans overturned Paddy McCarthy’s goal and first half lead.
City started the brighter on Harrogate’s sloping pitch by creating a good chance for Glenn Whelan in the second minute, but the Town ‘keeper, Liam Sutcliffe, who performed well all evening, saved the shot. City should have taken the lead on ten minutes when both Stephen Elliott and Paul Murphy hit the post in quick succession with the goal left gapping and the ‘keeper lying helpless on the floor.
Town were a much bigger and physical side and so were sending long balls up to their big forward, Marc Smith, to knock on to his team mates. This was the only threat that City were unable to deal with in the first half. So it was surprising to see that City took the lead from a header by Paddy McCarthy from a Lee Croft corner at the back post when Town’s ‘keeper had misjudged the cross.
As both teams had made numerous changes at half time and City’s captain, Paddy McCarthy, had to go off injured after five minutes of the restart, the game became less free flowing. As the half hour mark of the second period drew near, City found themselves once again on level terms when a real mix up between substitute ‘keeper, Kieron Westwood and Craig Smith led to Smith heading the ball back to goal, onto Westwood’s despairing hand and into the back of the net.
Three minutes later City found themselves a goal behind from a corner. Kieron Westwood was able to save the initial shot but was unable to hold on to the ball and so the rebound was hammered home by second half substitute, Robbie Whellans. Five minutes later he doubled his tally and scored Town’s third from an indirect free kick, inside the box, on the right hand side; he sent in a well struck half volley that curled into the left hand side of the net.
A minute later saw Lee Croft, returning from England duty in Liechtenstein, and who had replaced Jon Macken in the starting line up, get booked for an innocuous challenge, which led to Town’s number 4, Michael Ord being stretched off with a severe knee injury.
City: Kasper Schmeichel, Nathan D’Laryea, Craig Smith, Paul Murphy, Paddy McCarthy (capt.), Chinedum Onouha, Willo Flood, Stephen Elliott, Lee Croft, Glenn Whelan, Jamie Tandy.
Subs: Jonathan D’Laryea, Kieron Westwood, Jamie Lee Matthews, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Dorryl Profit.
Attendance: 1,042
Gavin Cooper (blueboy@mancity.net)MATCH REPORT: Bury 2 MCFC XI 0
City’s Reserves Shaken Up
City squandered many chances and the lion’s share of possession to allow Bury to carry on their decent pre-season form. A brace of goals by Bury’s number seven either side of half time sealed City’s poor record since half time against Hyde where they have only scored one goal and conceded five against supposed lesser opposition.
City started the brighter and were unfortunate not to get on the score sheet in the seventh minute when Bury’s ‘keeper, Glyn Garner, pulled off a fine double save from the onrushing Glen Whelan, and Stephen Elliott from the rebound. Four minutes later Lee Croft should have scored but lost his composure when Chris Shuker sent him free into the box. After this point the game became a bit scrappy. So when Karl Bermingham came on to replace Jamie Tandy it gave City more of a target to aim at and we looked more threatening.
However, a breakaway move by Bury led to Kevin Ellegaard saving well from Bury’s number eight, Lee Connell. The resulting corner was not cleared properly and up popped Bury’s right midfielder, Simon Whaley, on the right of the box to drill past Ellegaard into the far corner of the net.
A minute later Bury were fortunate to still be ahead when a rasping volley by Bermingham was well saved but the rebound fell to the ever deteriorating Chris Shuker who should have shot first time but allowed bodies to get in front of him and cut out any available shot.
Bury made three substitutions up front at half time, including manager, Andy Preece, coming on to replace Gareth Seddon. It wasn’t long before these changes took effect when confusion about marking led to a half clearance falling to Whaley on the right, who was able to shoot past Ellegaard, off the far post and into the net.
City made further substitutions during the second half but that failed to make any real impression. City’s only chances fell to Nedum Onouha, both from headers from corners where Bury’s number three, Tom Kennedy, cleared one effort off the line and the other effort hit the bar. It was Nedum again who was involved in the action near the end, this time in City’s half, when he made a excellently timed crucial tackle in the box on Bury’s number twenty one, Chris Porter, who was clearly two yards offside when the ball was played to him.
City: Kevin Ellegaard, Willo Flood, Stephen Jordan (capt.), Jonathon D’Laryea, Chinedum Onouha, Mikkel Bischoff, Lee Croft, Jamie Tandy, Stephen Elliott, Glenn Whelan, Chris Shuker.
Subs: Kasper Schmeichel, Nathan D’Laryea, Paul Murphy, Danny Warrender, Karl Bermingham, Stephen Ireland.
Man of the Match for City: Stephen Jordan. Captain led by example.
Att: 1,990 – 480 City.
OPINION: CREATIVE MIDFIELDER I
Am I alone in thinking SWP is one of the most talented players in the Premiership? Is it possible that KK’s answer to his creative midfield spot could be right under his nose? SWP has everything. Great passer, lovely control, runs and runs and runs, tackles, tricky, good shot and he dribbles like Maradona.
He’s played everywhere else so why not give him a decent spell and see what happens? You never know, it could turn out to be the best move of the summer.
Joe O’Brien (joe_ob@hotmail.com)OPINION: CREATIVE MIDFIELDER II
Reports are that Eyal Berkovic has had second thoughts about wanting a transfer and now wants to stay at City.
I would like to see him stay myself for he has a brilliant football brain. It’s not his fault that he is injury prone, but if he can stay healthy, and put his heart into his game for City then all is forgiven. I felt sad that he had requested a transfer but I have always felt if for a reason a player does not want to play for City (whoever the player) let him go, for his heart is not with the club.
Eyal Berkovic has now got to prove to the City fans that his heart is still with City.
Come on you Blues! Ernie Barrow (britcityblue@aol.com)OPINION: ODE TO EASTLANDS
My friend Captain Hamish Blair has been noting the whinges in MCVITA and sends his understanding of the situation from Orkney:
The bl**dy traffic’s slow or stop
There’s nowhere you can bl**dy shop
And beer in’t pubs is bl**dy slop
At bl**dy Eastlands
The season card’s got me in debt
I couldn’t find me seat and yet
I’m told I’ll still get bl**dy wet
At bl**dy Eastlands
The stewards say the water’s clear
And’t bogs are clean in every tier
but no-one’s drunk ‘cos there’s no beer
At bl**dy Eastlands
No bl**dy board for’t bl**dy score
No bl**dy name above the door
And Reebok own the bl**dy store
At bl**dy Eastlands
The bl**dy team’s not bl**dy fit
Our best midfielder’s bl**dy quit
And’t newest player’s a reet auld git
At bl**dy Eastlands
The bl**dy name’s too bl**dy long
T’council gorrit bl**dy wrong
It won’t fit any bl**dy song
At bl**dy Eastlands
Some called Maine Road a bl**dy shed
But t’ground and me were bl**dy wed:
yer might as well be bl**dy Red
At bl**dy Eastlands.
Please forgive this bl**dy drone
We blues enjoy a bl**dy groan
Our new song’s called Blue Bl**dy Moan
At bl**dy Eastlands.
OPINION: OFFICIAL SITE PROBLEMS
Just for the record, the City website can be viewed OK using the Opera browser.
This will work with any operating system, unlike Internet Explorer 6, which will only work with Windows 98/2000/ME/XP – but not Windows 95 or less.
Chris Ffelan (chrisff@zoom.co.uk)OPINION: THE CITADEL
My dad demands the new stadium be called the Manchester Citadel as KK himself said the new stadium should become a stronghold for MCFC. QED.
John Glennon (johnsapple@yahoo.co.uk)OPINION: MCV 937 I
I must say I found the contribution from Neil Marcus very disturbing. Possibly explains Ernie Barrow’s observation. I’m sad to see Berkovic go – he was my player of the season last season. Still, it looks like he’s burned his bridges with Keegan. As a replacement I’d suggest Jason Koumas who played very well in a dire side. At Maine Road he bossed the midfield (I don’t think Eyal played in that game).
Incidentally, can anyone tell me why Mettomo is not playing in the friendlies? What has Keegan got against him?
Ian Burgess (i.burgess@virgin.net)OPINION: MCV 937 II
- Can I recommend changing your browser to Mozilla Firebird -download from the Mozilla website – faster than Explorer, noannoying pop-ups and so far no problems with the official site.
- Fowler is a bl**dy disgrace.
- HM – does your new internet address mean you’re back in the UK?Still tasting?
OPINION: MCV 937 III
Not sure if I want Michael O’Leary involved with City. The man wouldn’t spend Christmas. He’d have the players sweeping the stadium.
Sean Cassidy (sean_cassidy@iol.ie)REQUEST: CITY BADGE
Does anybody have the dark blue, white, sky blue, ‘mod’ target City pin badge? It is tiny, but if someone can source me one it’s worth a fiver. I have tried everywhere for this and just cannae find one – so come on you Blues, have a look under the oranges in the fruit bowl – there must be a spare badge lying about somewhere?
Joel Perry – ex-Kippax (joel@mancity.net)REQUEST: REDDISH BLUES
The next meeting of Reddish branch of the Centenary Supporters’ Association will be on Wednesday 13th August at The Ash Hotel, Manchester Road, Stockport.
The meeting starts at 8.00pm (doors 7.00pm) and our confirmed guests are Brian Horton and Ian Brightwell.
Membership for the new season is available on the night and as always everyone is welcome.
Howard Burr – Secretary, Reddish Blues (reddishblues@btinternet.com)REQUEST: BANGLA / INDIAN BLUES
Having spent the last few months working in Bangladesh and meeting 2 or 3 City fans, myself and my girlfriend are travelling around India until the end of the month.
Just wonderng if there where any fellow City fans in India who would like to meet up for a chat about City and to have a beer. We will be in Calcutta on the 4th August for a couple of days, after that our travel plans are undecided!
By the way if any City fans find themselves in Bangladesh and want the new shirt, the manager of the Reebok shop, in Gulshan 2, Dhaka, assures me that he will be getting the new shirt this month.
Raymond Critchlow (blueray71@yahoo.co.uk)REQUEST: AMSTERDAM VIEWING
I don’t know if the game against Barça is going to be on telly and if so what channel. But if it is and anyone knows where I might catch it (the game not ‘dutch elm disease’) in Amsterdam I’d be grateful if you could let me know.
Thanks, Matthew Broadbent (mb@gbp.co.uk)REQUEST: US VIEWING
Check soccertv.com. They tell you every football related program or game on US TV in the next 24 hours.
Bob Narindra (bob@lovingyou.com)REQUEST: MARC VIVIEN FOE MEMORIAL APPEAL
As a result of calls on various websites, emails and talking to MCFC and other authorities involved, together with the amazing response from fans worldwide (as diverse as China, Japan, Australasia, USA, throughout Europe) and from rival clubs, it was decided to launch an appeal fund which would help to fulfil Fo
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editor
The Editorial team of mcivta.com consist of several people. Typically news and information that is provided by a third part will be distributed by the "Editor". Phil Alcock is the current Editor in Chief of the MCIVTA newsletter.