Newsletter #1158

Not a good week for City. Little to say about that result midweek, apologies for “forgetting” the fixture in Monday’s issue, but I was obviously focusing on the league and the inevitable. If anyone would like this week’s lottery numbers, please email.

We have plenty of opinion on the Doncaster débâcle, and the piped music fiasco continues. There’s a look back in anger, view from the Far East and the usual requests.

Don summarises the week’s painful events, latest transfer rumours and injury news. Our sponsors have also agreed a further two year deal, so time to get those ‘cheap’ holidays and season ticket discounts yet.

Finally, a very warm welcome to our latest Blue: Leon Howarth arrived in the early hours. Many congratulations to Paul and Bingning from all your friends at MCIVTA.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Thos Cook: City have extended their shirt sponsorship with travel company Thomas Cook for a further two years. The deal is said to be worth £3 million. City chief executive Alistair Mackintosh, who negotiated the contract, said: “The renewal of our contract with Thomas Cook proves our ability to attract and retain industry-leading brands as club sponsors in a challenging market place. This deal demonstrates Thomas Cook’s commitment to us and we greatly look forward to working alongside them for a further two years.” The Chief Executive of Thomas Cook UK said: “The sponsorship of Manchester City has proved a great success as it reinforces our position as one of the UK’s best-known brand names. Manchester City supporters have also benefited from thousands of pounds in savings on holidays.”

Get Help, Wayne: Following the Shrek lookalike’s near-sending off for England, and then his red card for the Reds last week in Europe, the nation’s press has been gripped by concerns of “what do we do about Wayne Rooney”. David James was asked for his views. He believes counselling could help the 19-year-old. “Of course a sports psychologist can help – it’s certainly helped me,” said DJ. “Wayne is still a very young man in a position that has a lot of strain and stress. He is a decent lad under a tremendous amount of pressure. People think you must be crackers if you’ve got a psychologist but psychology is part of the building bricks to make a top athlete,” he added. “I’m a much-improved goalkeeper and professional athlete courtesy of my psychology work. It does help.”

Can It: MCV punters were first to pick up on the recordings played via the public address on Sunday, but the media soon caught up, and on Tuesday the Daily Mirror duly reported on the shenanigans. When SP stepped out on the pitch to collect his collect his Manager of the Month award for August before Sunday’s game, pre-recorded chants of “Psycho, Psycho” and “Stuart Pearce’s Blue and White army” were heard. City spokesman Paul Tyrell defended the move by saying: “We have been examining ways of improving the atmosphere at the stadium and have been speaking to supporters’ groups about it. And over the next few weeks we will be trying out other things.” There has been much debate on why Premiership football is losing spectators, and how these missing fans can be tempted back. Whether the “crowd in a can” approach works, remains to be seen.

Miller’s Tale: The Reserves go from strength to strength. Ishmael Miller’s 25th minute goal saw the Blues extend their lead at the top of the table. Coach Steve Wigley was naturally contented with another win. “It was a convincing 1-0. We should have put the game to bed earlier – there were a few chances we didn’t take and we could have put the ball into the box sooner. We witnessed a game on Sunday where the first team have totally dominated and were on the wrong end of a freak result. So a couple of minutes from the end here you think, ‘don’t let it happen here as well’, they didn’t deserve anything out of the game because we were the better team. I’m pleased we’ve won – I would have just liked a couple more goals.”
Team: Schmeichel; Warrender, Jordan (Collins 62), N. D’Laryea, Richards; J. D’Laryea, Croft, Laird, Hussein (Etuhu 78); Miller, Bennett (Sturridge 75).
Unused subs: Matthewson, Johnson.

Praise (But No Money) for Stu: Chairman John Wardle has been musing over the progress the team have made since SP’s tenure began in March. Wardle believes that Pearce will be at the club well beyond the end of his two-year contract, although he doesn’t believe that an extension will be offered just yet. “It is too soon to talk about a new contract, but hopefully Stuart will carry on and on and on,” said Wardle. “He has done a marvellous job since taking over from Kevin. The whole place is buzzing and people are talking about the club again. Stuart has impressed everyone with his attitude and the way he has got the team playing and long may that continue.” In a classic piece of managing expectations, the M.E.N. said that the Chairman realised that a top-six finish might be unattainable this season, especially with the financial constraints currently surrounding the club. “Everyone is aware of the financial position,” said Wardle. “The sale of Shaun Wright-Phillips has helped to get the debt down and while we don’t want to take any risks, we will discuss the situation with Stuart and see what we can do when January comes. There is definitely a feel-good factor about Manchester City just now and that is something for us all to celebrate.”

Transfer News and Gossip

“Give Us a ‘V’…”: They’ll be dancing in the replica shirt department of the City Store if this rumour’s true – think of the increase in sales of letters for the backs of shirts if City land Dutch striker Jan Vennegoor of Hesselink. The Blues have been linked with a possible move for the PSV striker, who opted to stay at Eindhoven this season for a crack at Champions’ League football with PSV.

Have a Hart: Shrewsbury goalkeeper Joe Hart is a target for City according to reports. Pearce is keen to bring in a young ‘keeper to understudy David James with Nicky Weaver and Gert De Vlieger out of contract next summer. Eighteen-year-old Hart has caught the eye of a number of clubs and SP reportedly took advantage of Shrewsbury’s Carling Cup defeat against Sheffield United to run the rule over Hart.

Reactions and Comments

Speed Kills City: On Sunday City were denied by the woodwork five times as a lethargic Bolton grabbed an undeserved win thanks to Gary Speed’s late penalty (note to the BBC – Match of the Day 2’s viewers may have found the addition of comedy boinnnggg noises hilarious on a run of clips showing the smashes against the woodwork – but I didn’t!). In the first half, Antoine Sibierski saw two headers crash off the bar as City played to his aerial strength. After the break, a Joey Barton drive cannoned back off the post, Kiki Musampa’s volley found the bar and Sun Jihai also hit the bar with a drive. But Bolton snatched the points after Richard Dunne handled in the area. Prior to the game, national cricket hero Andy Flintoff was introduced to the crowd before kick-off, receiving a huge ovation from the entire stadium, some of which was provided by real people, and not tapes. Apparently.

Who’ll Pick Up the Tab? So City’s fine thirteen match unbeaten run comes to an end. SP in his characteristic way strove to accentuate the positive from the disappointment of defeat. “I’ll be a better manager for this result today. There’s a very thin dividing line in the Premiership between success and failure, I’ve seen that in a lot of the games I’ve watched and none more so than today. We’re bitterly disappointed, but I told the players, ‘We stick together, and someone’s going to pick up the tab for us getting turned over today.’ I think if you’re missing the target with your efforts then you would be disappointed, but you have got to bear in mind that we have hit the woodwork on five occasions. Every time we have had a shot on goal, the goalie’s saved it or there’s been a block. They have all been on target near enough! I’m probably more disappointed than I’m letting on at the moment, but that’s life, credit to the opposition. We probably deserved to win the game, let alone draw it. We gave a penalty away at the end – but Richard Dunne owes me nothing, he has been incredible for me. The result, and the manner of it, will galvanise my team and down the line someone will pay for it.”

Big Sam Admits to Mugging: At least Sam Allardyce had the good grace to admit: “We’re delighted we’ve won but we know we’re very fortunate. The woodwork saved us on a few occasions, and some great defending and goalkeeping. It reminds me of playing Everton earlier in the season. We got mugged there and we’ve mugged Man City today. We caught them napping at the end because we’re fit and determined enough to keep going right to the end. We’ve not played well but we’ve got a result.”

Sib and Steve Seek Solace: Woodwork-rattler-in-Chief Antoine Sibierski echoed the defiant mood of his manager. “I have no worries about this team being successful because if we show the same attitude and commitment we will do many good things in the league this season,” he said. “Of course we were disappointed but we have the comfort of knowing we played very good football. With the attitude and togetherness that we have in the side we feel we can beat any team. No one can point the finger at us and say we threw the match against Bolton away. We all tried everything we could to win the game but it wasn’t to be. The woodwork and their goalkeeper saved them. Bolton know they were lucky and we have nothing to be sad about except the result. I think our fans know that too.” Stephen Ireland came on as an eightieth minute substitute and nearly had a dream first team début, as a cracking shot was only stopped from breaking the net by a superb Jussi Jaaskelainen save. “To be honest we feel robbed, we’ve attacked them for all the game but it wasn’t meant to be. I guess the referee was right in his decision for handball, but we feel very hurt, it was harsh. We deserved a lot more than the loss, even a draw would have been unfair. When I hit it, I saw the line of the ball and I really thought it was going to hit the back of the net, but out of nowhere I saw his hand come across and take it! He is a very, very good ‘keeper.”

A Pain in the Budtz: SP rather gamely refused to blame the referee after City crashed out of the Carling Cup on Wednesday following the curious incident of “the red card that never should have been.” City were leading League One Doncaster 1-0 in the first period of extra-time and ready to book their place in round three when Nedum Onuoha was sent off for sliding in on Rovers’ goalkeeper Andy Warrington. Although Warrington was carried off with a broken leg following the incident, the red card appeared extremely harsh and within half an hour of the final whistle, referee Graham Salisbury admitted he had made a mistake. “It would be easy for me to look for decisions that went against us, which probably cost us in the end, but I am not in the business of blaming anyone other than myself,” said Psycho. “There are no excuses. I fielded a strong side but we didn’t pass the ball well enough or quickly enough and we have gone out of a competition I wanted to do well in. In defence of Nedum, he is not the type of person who would go out to hurt anybody. He is distraught at what happened and feels he has let the side down.” Even Doncaster boss Dave Penney admitted the decision to send Onuoha off was harsh. Warrington’s unfortunate departure brought the introduction of giant Dane Jan Budtz. “Jan has been struggling with a groin injury but has managed to get himself fit and once it went to penalties I felt really confident because he saves them all the time in training,” said Penney. “They showed us a lot of respect with the side they picked and I know Stuart was looking at the Carling Cup as a trophy they could win. We know there is no chance of us winning it but these days don’t come along very often and we want to enjoy it.”

Nedum’s Appealing: City confirmed today that they have formally appealed against Nedum’s unjust red card. Despite the ref stating that it would be rescinded, only the Football Association can make such a decision and City have to go through the procedure of appealing to overturn the sending-off. The FA will make a decision on Friday prior to City’s game at Newcastle. SP said: “After watching the replays, it is an embarrassing decision. Nedum is not a malicious player and if you look at it, he has actually done the ‘keeper a favour by keeping his studs down, so it ended up being a clash of knees.”

Squad News

More Turf Moor for Karl: Karl Bermingham will be staying at Burnley for now. Karl, along with fellow loanee Keith Lowe from Wolves will remain at Turf Moor for a second month. The Boy Bermingham has made two appearances for the Championship club so far. Cotterill was delighted to keep of the pair in his small squad for the short term. “We’ve extended Karl’s loan spell and we’re going to be extending Keith Lowe’s too,” Cotterill told the club’s official website. “We’re thankful to Manchester City and Wolves for letting us do that.”

Fingers Crossed: SP is hoping for some good news about injured winger Trevor Sinclair. There was much concern expressed after the former England man suffered a knee injury in Sunday’s match. Sinclair, who missed virtually all of last season with a ruptured cruciate ligament, is due to have a scan on the knee injury, but SP says that the early indications are the damage is not as bad as he initially feared. “I think Trevor has stretched ligaments in his knee but we will not know for sure until all the tests are done,” Pearce told the Manchester Evening News. “I have got my fingers crossed” (thanks James).

Bad Luck: It’s not sounding too good for Robbie Fowler, whose bad back isn’t getting better. “Robbie’s back is not as good as we would like it, so he will have to see a specialist and get diagnosed from there,” reported SP. “He did come back and play a couple of reserve games but he is still not totally happy with it. He has a lot of discomfort and he can’t train. Having him half fit is no good to him or me, so we are reviewing the situation again. At some point he will come back pain free. It would be easy for me to tell Robbie to keep going and assure him everything will be okay. I have enough good players in my squad, so I have the opportunity to pull Robbie out and get him back pain free.”

Ex-Blues’ News

City legend Shaun Goater returns north this weekend, so for any Blues not travelling to Newcastle, how about an outing to Rotherham where he will be lining up for visitors Southend and a rousing rendition of “Feed the Goat”.

Note: Sarah Longshaw will be bringing you the news next week – all contributions gratefully received, at the usual address.

OPINION: DONCASTER I

Returned home at the start of the second half and was disappointed to see that it was still 0-0. Still, never mind I’ll see all the excitement, I thought. Well City never really looked to be troubled by Doncaster but as with City of old they looked incapable of turning their advantage into goals – only hitting the woodwork once in normal time though.

Dunne and Distin looked in control throughout and when Richard Dunne took time off to charge through where forwards had feared to tread he was tripped and Vassell scored from the penalty. Then towards the end of the first period of extra time Onouha decided to emulate Dunne, was in collision with the Doncaster ‘keeper, and in the first of three bizarre decisions by the referee was sent off. Onouha had played the ball and drew his foot away from the ‘keeper – if it had been a challenge in midfield the foul should have been in City’s favour since Onouha had got the ball and the ‘keeper arrived late.

No excuse for the referee. If he didn’t see what happened he shouldn’t give the decision. Then Distin is penalised for heading the ball in the penalty area (clearly a second period of extra time offence that I have missed in the rules of this competition) and so it’s 1-1. Then a basketball bouncing of the ball by a Doncaster player in their area and play on (obviously another special rule in this competition). From then onwards credit to Doncaster who looked much more up for it than our somewhat deflated heroes and a special mention for their substitute ‘keeper. Two penalties against the woodwork (9 times in two games!) and three excellent penalties from Doncaster and we lose.

You can’t support City without worrying and for the second time in two games we’ve lost a game that has been there for the taking, albeit with the help of a referee who shouldn’t be in charge of a tiddlywinks contest. Déjà vu? I hope not.

OPINION: DONCASTER II

I’ve just returned from watching the exit to Doncaster in the Cup, and leaving aside the poor display from some of the players, I feel the referee had a major impact on the later stages of the game.

After City’s rightfully awarded penalty, it seemed to me that the referee was doing all in his powers to try to even it up, the Doncaster chants obviously hitting home. First he was giving questionable free kicks, then decided to send off Onuaha, then was happy to be able to give a questionable Doncaster penalty but decided against giving a questionable City penalty.

Okay, referees can have bad days, and I may have a slightly biased opinion, but it got me to thinking about SP’s neutral approach to commenting on referees. In an ideal world, these decisions will cancel themselves out. But in a world where one side is lambasting the referee, and the other side will not make a negative comment – this must lead to refereeing committees choosing a City match as an easy ride for a referee under pressure – and also unwittingly bias referees against City, as they will be aware that a poor decision against City will be left unquestioned.

I am not advocating SP to take an anti-referee line as many other managers do, but a poor display must be called out as such.

OPINION: DONCASTER III

Having just seen the Doncaster vs. City match on Sky Sports 2, I feel confident to know to smile and that having been a City supporter for a while now (approx 37 years) it has to be a special exit out of the League (Carling) Cup.

As the game went on it got worse, somehow I was longing for some direct, simple quality football – basic level. I went out of the room, we hit the bar and also scored via Dunne’s penalty. We then tried to waste the remaining 20 minutes.

To be honest it was never a sending off, not even sure it qualified as a free kick. Once they equalized there was no way back. I’m a City fan, Vassell missed: curtains! Two bars and a post. I was always told it’s easier to score than hit the post. Do they practice? Hitting the bar?

It’s great being a City supporter, I love it. Exciting, edge of your seat. Who wants to win the league? Well done lads – both teams – I’d rather see exciting cliffhangers any day.

City for the FA Cup!

OPINION: DONCASTER IV

Well, I feel that City have let everyone down for the first time since SP took over. Despite a few changes, the team put out was good enough to beat Doncaster and they had the ball for most of the night.

I feel that Vassell was poor in his execution of his shots and at times didn’t look that interested. I am now convinced that Sibierski is definitely not good enough. Time after time he gets his head to the ball but how many times does he actually score? Even Martin Tyler commented on this. His general play is, at times, average but that’s as good as it gets. Sorry, just not good enough. Ireland had a good game as did Dunne and Distin.

Outstanding performance of the night goes to Sun, who played in four different positions during the game. And played well in each position. I wasn’t convinced about Sun last season but having seen that performance from him tonight, we definitely need him. Hussein also impressed although I think he needs studs in his boots, going down for no reason on a couple of occasions.

The commentators said that Croft had a good game but I was disappointed with him and I’ve got great hopes for Crofty. Onouha was outstanding again and looked to be coasting through the game until being sent off. I can only assume that it was something that he said as the replays show that the challenge on the ‘keeper was not malicious and he actually made contact with the ball. We wait to see the outcome.

If we can’t score at least 1 penalty out of three, we don’t deserve to go through. Doncaster waited for their opportunity and took it. Credit to them. So from 12 unbeaten, it’s now two defeats on the trot.

Now we get to find out how SP will react. Now we can concentrate on the league!

OPINION: DONCASTER V

Well, is anyone surprised we lost last night? The way we played, they just wanted it more then we did (or so it seemed).

The bad points from last night:

• They way we played, no zip and very casual.
• The ref (enough said).
• The pens (has someone placed magnets in the balls so the bend towards thepost, crossbar etc.?).
• The fact we are out and the loss of money that will now not be there for theDecember transfer kitty.
• The fact that the squad is paper thin, a couple of knocks and we haven’t gotany quality to replace the injured.
• The fact that the media (GMR/Sky etc.) are already saying we are on a wobbleand how far will we fall in the league before December.
• The fact that Growler didn’t play (he may not have done much last night withthe lack of service, but it would have given him match time for Saturday).

The good points:

• Ireland (if he can put on a pound or two of muscle he’ll be in the team moreweeks than not).
• The fact that we have a few less games, therefore less chance of picking upinjuries, bookings etc. (ok I’m grasping at anything now).

So here’s to Saturday and hopefully a bit more of a fight, all the best to Doncaster, you played well and just wanted it more. Please don’t go on about the sending off, we (a) should have had the game won by then (b) were already sitting back and had switched off thinking it was in the bag. If we want to stop the world having a laugh and using us as the punchline then we need to kill off teams like these once we are ahead, and stop playing taped chants! Whoever came up with that idea should have to place an apology in the next programme.

Never mind, there’s always the next game.

OPINION: DONCASTER VI

If this is what it is like to be made to pay for a previous unfortunately City result, I would imagine that teams will now be lining up to play us.

Time to focus on the league now I think.

OPINION: PIPE MUSIC I

I wasn’t at the match on Sunday where the management decided to try to ramp up the atmosphere, instead going to Lancashire’s last one-day home game at Old Trafford (tricky choice for me: cricket vs. football) but in a way I’m glad I missed the MCFC game, despite witnessing a Lancashire defeat – by the sounds of it, Sunday was painful to witness for several reasons.

For what it’s worth, cricket has started piping music and trying to inject ‘atmosphere’ into games during the Twenty20 series. For me, it spoils the game and gets in the way, but it does genuinely seem to improve the number of people chanting, cheering and supporting the game. The recent test series experimented with music before the play each day as well, and that worked too.

Football is trickier. For a start, the majority of the fans haven’t turned up to have a few beers and a picnic whilst topping up the tan, as happens at the cricket. They are expected to be chanting, cheering, singing, without any support from management.

Except at City, that’s not working. Funerals have more atmosphere than a City home game at the moment.

I was also intrigued by your Italian correspondent in the last newsletter pointing out a half-empty stadium despite it being ‘sold out’. This completely baffles me. Are the City Store and the refreshments available so enticing that nobody wants to watch the game? Are season ticket holders not bothering to show up? Are more tickets being held back for sale on the day and City aren’t advertising the fact?

Either way, something is seriously wrong. Pearce is told to sit down and shut up when he asks fans to start getting involved, half the crowd don’t show up, and when they do they act like they’re in a library. The only way this is going to be fixed is if City sort out attendance (perhaps by taking back season tickets if the holder hasn’t attended four home games in a row?), and if the crowd turn up and just get on with cheering.

So, next time you’re in attendance, don’t be shy, just start singing, and if somebody nearby is singing, join in. Doesn’t matter where in the ground you are, just get on with it.

There is another possibility: that we have a new breed of fans at the new ground that just don’t know the City songs. Perhaps some charitable soul (or the club) will start trying to hand out ‘cheat sheets’, which has to be a better solution to piping in ‘ambience’.

The alternative is that City try to style themselves in a new mould, and pretends that their fans are a quiet, contemplative, thoughtful and analytical bunch, that like the members at LCCC prefer to spend the game in quiet reflection and deep thought… maybe not.

OPINION: PIPE MUSIC II

On the subject of the chants over the PA system, this is a personal appeal for the club to never play them again!

What’s more, let’s never even consider playing music or anything like that when City score, ’cause that too is “ridiculous” TM!

By the way we were robbed last Sunday…

OPINION: PIPE MUSIC III

I am not in favour of chants through the sound system in any form. I like most sports, and so I have been to some Ice Hockey games in the USA. Throughout the game there is this loud music etc. coming through the sound system as if to tell the fans it’s time to get behind your team. I remember asking my wife don’t the fans know when to cheer on a team? It put me right off as much as I like a good game of Ice Hockey.

We have comedy sitcoms with canned laughter telling us it’s a joke, and it’s time to laugh, that canned laughter again so fake.

When the stadiums changed from Maine Road to Eastlands, the mistake was made not letting the cheering crowd from Maine Road stay together, someone who works in the ticket office against their better judgement messed up.

Now just let the fans be fans with limited stewards interruption. Of course there must be order in the stadium, and we all must have the consideration for young children or people that are not tall, I know that’s easier said than done when the games get exciting.

At the end of the day it’s up to the fans themselves, and the team to make them cheer. We have to give MCFC credit for trying something, but please not again, it makes City a joke amongst other teams.

So Come on you Blues!

OPINION: THINGS AIN’T WHAT THEY USED TO BE

I was thinking about the atmosphere at the CoMS and think there are a number of reasons it isn’t the same as Maine Road. Going to watch City at Maine Road was an experience in itself.

The walk through the winding terraced streets and back alleyways, the chippies full of City fans, the familiarity of knowing where to park without being charged, the drinking outside the ground without being made to feel like you’re doing something wrong, all the vendors that we used to have around the ground selling burgers, scarves, badges etc., the branding on the stadium letting you know without any shadow of a doubt that this was City’s ground and to me it seemed to have the same atmosphere outside the ground as it did inside, there always seemed to be a buzz even queuing to get in even in the dark days of Division 2.

To me the present stadium is too clinical. There are no longer independent vendors selling this that and the other outside the stadium, there’s no branding to say this is our stadium and intimidate and I don’t think anybody would know which part of the stadium to get a ticket for if they wanted to be in with the singers.

Don’t get me started on the stewards chucking people out for standing up, this is a football game, we come to watch not chess. How I miss the Kippax of old.

The club really do need to address this situation and tell the council that we are personalising the stadium. What are they going to do, kick us out? I’m sure they are getting well paid for us being there. What would they do without us?

OPINION: VIEW FROM JAPAN

Chances to watch City match on TV in Japan are not so frequent because such big clubs as Chelsea, Man Utd., Arsenal and Liverpool always occupy the live channels on weekend. However, thanks to an increasing number of Japanese players in the Premiership, the very first match of the current season (WBA) was on TV and the Bolton match was also covered live on Sunday. So far, we had three City matches (WBA, Man Utd., and Bolton), and we have never won on TV.

Watching a live City match in Japan is not so easy because the live coverage usually starts around midnight. Fortunately, Monday September 19 was a national holiday and I was able to watch the entire TV coverage without worrying about the next morning. But the worst thing happened in the last seconds and I saw the nightmare without sleeping.

Domination throughout both halves, several shots at the woodwork, all turned out to be nothing. Since there wasn’t any TV coverage of the matches we won (Birmingham City, Sunderland and Portsmouth), I have little idea how Vassell had performed. But so far as I watched on Sunday, he seemed to be isolated. Hope Andy Cole can come back soon.

Next possible TV match in Japan is likely to be Arsenal one on October 22nd and I will be in London.

OPINION: BOLTON SOLUTION

Abolish goalposts!

OPINION: NOBODY LOVES ‘EM

Just to prove that the Rags are hated all over the world, here’s a fun web page from Sweden:

http://www.sonofsven.com/

Enjoy.

REQUEST: COUNTRY BLUES

OK everybody, no more emails on this subject, please. I now realise that Stephen Jordan was the first City player whose surname is a country. I wouldn’t mind but I was there a couple of years ago! Thanks to John Leigh for reminding me that we’ve had plenty of Turkeys at City!

REQUEST: NEWCASTLE GAME

If anyone else has a spare ticket for the Newcastle game, could you let me know? I live in Newcastle and could meet them here if they like. My mobile is 07793982014 email.

Thank you!

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN TURKEY

I’m off to Side in Turkey on Saturday and forgot to ask if anyone knows where I may be able to watch Sunday’s game against Everton.

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN CYPRUS

I am off to Cyprus and will be in Aiya Napa, any ideas where the game will be shown?

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN NEW YORK

I will be in New York for the Everton game on 1st October. Does anyone know if this will be on US telly and if so where it is likely to be shown?

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN LAS VEGAS

Are there any Blues that meet up In Las Vegas to watch the games as I’m there whilst the City vs. Everton game is on. I’m sure I could be dragged away from the sister-in-law’s wedding for a little bit. If any one can help please contact me.

P.S. Niall hope your big day goes well and you both have a great day. Sorry we can’t be there.

RESULTS

19 September 2005

Arsenal               2 - 0  Everton               38,121

League table to 21 September 2005 inclusive

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A   GD Pts
 1 Chelsea          6  3  0  0  7  0  3  0  0  5  0  6  0  0  12   0  12  18
 2 Charlton Ath.    5  1  0  1  1  2  3  0  0  7  1  4  0  1   8   3   5  12
 3 Manchester Utd   5  1  1  0  2  1  2  1  0  4  0  3  2  0   6   1   5  11
 4 Bolton Wndrs     6  1  1  1  2  1  2  1  0  5  3  3  2  1   7   4   3  11
 5 Manchester City  6  1  1  1  2  2  2  1  0  5  3  3  2  1   7   5   2  11
 6 West Ham United  5  2  0  1  8  3  1  1  0  2  1  3  1  1  10   4   6  10
 7 Arsenal          5  3  0  0  8  1  0  0  2  1  3  3  0  2   9   4   5   9
 8 Tottenham H.     6  1  1  1  2  2  1  2  0  3  1  2  3  1   5   3   2   9
 9 Middlesbrough    6  1  1  1  2  4  1  1  1  4  3  2  2  2   6   7  -1   8
10 Wigan Athletic   5  1  1  1  2  2  1  0  1  2  2  2  1  2   4   4   0   7
11 Liverpool        4  1  1  0  1  0  0  2  0  0  0  1  3  0   1   0   1   6
12 Aston Villa      6  1  2  0  4  3  0  1  2  1  6  1  3  2   5   9  -4   6
13 Portsmouth       6  0  2  1  2  4  1  0  2  3  4  1  2  3   5   8  -3   5
14 Newcastle Utd    6  0  2  1  1  3  1  0  2  3  4  1  2  3   4   7  -3   5
15 Birmingham City  6  0  0  3  1  6  1  2  0  4  3  1  2  3   5   9  -4   5
16 Fulham           6  1  1  1  2  2  0  1  2  3  7  1  2  3   5   9  -4   5
17 West Brom A.     6  1  0  2  5  6  0  2  1  1  5  1  2  3   6  11  -5   5
18 Blackburn R.     6  1  1  1  2  4  0  1  2  1  4  1  2  3   3   8  -5   5
19 Everton          5  0  0  2  0  3  1  0  2  1  3  1  0  4   1   6  -5   3
20 Sunderland       6  0  1  2  3  6  0  0  3  0  4  0  1  5   3  10  -7   1

MCIVTA FAQ [v0506.02]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : news@mcivta.city-fan.org
Subscriptions (Madeleine Hawkins): subscriptions@mcivta.city-fan.org
Technical problems (Paul)        : paul@city-fan.org
FAQ (David Warburton)            : faq@mcivta.city-fan.org

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ is the unofficial Manchester City Supporters’ home page. Created in 1994, it is the longest running of the Manchester City related web sites. Back issues of MCIVTA are also hosted on the site.

[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mcfcosc.com/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club”.

[6] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. The Fans’ Committee has been relaunched as “Points of Blue”. It has appeared on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://mcfc.videoloungetv.com/do/preLogin?clubSiteCode=MCFC&CMP=AFC-003.

[8] Where can I find out if City are live on satellite TV?

http://www.satfootball.com/pl.html provides a listing of Premiership games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. Useful sites for North American viewers are http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, http://www.soccertv.com/, and http://www.livesoccertv.com/.

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

Yes we do: uk.sport.football.clubs.man-city is our home on usenet. If you are not familiar with usenet, a basic explanation is available here: http://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/0,289893,sid9_gci213262,00.html

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth analysis try http://www.mcfcstats.com/.

[13] Where can I find a list of City-related websites?

Try Wookie’s Lair: http://www.wookieslair.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links

DISCLAIMER
The views expressed in MCIVTA are entirely those of the subscribersand there is no intention to represent these opinions as being thoseof Manchester City Football Club, nor of any of the companies anduniversities by whom the subscribers are employed. It is not inany way whatsoever connected to the club or any other relatedorganisation and is simply a group of supporters using this mediumas a means of disseminating news and exchanging opinions.

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

Editor: