Newsletter #75

Well, well, well, what did we expect? There was really no way that I could see us getting more than a point out of Easter and we get 6; only one thing to say: ‘typical City’! It was wonderful to win on Friday and especially so against a team that always seemed to beat us even when we had a very good side. My joy at this result turned to one of sheer relief when Saturday’s scores came in; if we’d have been defeated then we would have been well and truly in the s***. I spent quite some time on Monday perusing the league table and what this result and that result would mean to City and all this assuming City would get precisley zilch from Ewood Park! I secretly hoped for a point and carried out the usual arcane rituals designed to achieve this end. Well, Shearer after 7′ just about said it all but the final result was majestic and achieved in some style. Congratulations to the team on a great Easter.

I’ve just read the Electronic Telegraph reports for both the above games and I just can’t help being more than a little irritated by what I perceive as bias. In the Liverppol report, City are just a team of physical tryers running around like headless chickens and being handed the result on a plate by an indifferent Liverpool. This is in contrast to CeeFax who said City came back in some style. The Blackburn game is again less than complimentary; we played fantastically in the 2nd half but the reporter’s thoughts are constantly with Blackburn rather than City. I understand that they are Champions Elect but surely a match report should be about the match and not about Blackburn and their opponents!

I’ve tried to get this edition out as quickly as possible in view of the weekend’s amazing happenings and the topical nature of some of the news. It could well be that there are more match reports waiting to be written; if so, please send them in for the next issue, ‘the more the merrier’.

Things to look out for are news of Dino’s impending legal difficulties (we have to seriously question whether QPR will be his last game for City) and also, tonight on GMR, listen out for Phill Gatenby talking about City and Standing Ovation etc.

Next game Newcastle United at home, Saturday 29th April 1995.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’

MANCHESTER CITY vs. LIVERPOOL, Friday 14th April 1995

Desperate times mean desperate measures and because City have always won when I take the wife down, I decided I should buy her a ticket for only the 2nd time this season. We met a couple of Liverpool mates at the Red Lion in Didsbury (could be a good pub to meet for the QPR game – £2.50 taxi drive to the ground and it’s a City pub). After 3 or 4 pints went to the game. Before the game, there was a minute’s silence for Hillsborough which was immaculately respected by the crowd apart from one arsehole who shouted ‘City’.

Liverpool were much the classier side in the first half, always able to find an outlet as they played their triangular passing game. City on the other hand seemed to struggle in their passing. The fact that Liverpool did not create many chances was down to the defence where I thought Foster had an excellent game. Having come from the pub, the inevitable happened: I needed a wee. Where were you when Summerbee scored? I was in the bog. As I took my seat in the Kippax saying if we can hold out for 15 minutes we can win this, Liverpool equalised. The second half was all City with Flitcroft being released from a holding rôle in front of the back 4 and thoroughly deserved the second goal. The last 15 minutes were a nightmare as we waited for injury time and therefore a Liverpool equaliser. Oh, the joy of the final whistle, my Lynne had done it again.

My man of the match was David James in goal for Liverpool – he totally controlled the penalty area. I thank Liverpool for being only half interested in the game.

Out of 10 for City players (remember I am saying this from an emotionally charged viewpoint):

Coton 6

Didn’t seem as commanding as normal.

Edghill 6

Fell down on passing.

Curle 8

Usual dependable self.

Foster 7

Excellent game, good positional play.

Phelan 6

Some good runs until he got injured and was replaced by …

Kernaghan 7

Some cracking tackles when he came on.

Flitcroft 7

Second half linked up well with Gaudino.

Gaudino 6

Faded in and out of the game, cracking goal.

Summerbee 6

Again, contribution in spurts.

Quinn 6

Most of his contributions were occupying 2 defenders and thus creating more space for Rösler.

Rösler 7

Had a couple of chances and laid on the 2nd goal.

Walsh 6

Played on left wing and was seen on numerous occasions at left back covering for Terry Phelan, always 100%.

As there is no tannoy system in the Kippax, can anyone tell me who was introduced to the crowd at the beginning of the game?

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’

BLACKBURN ROVERS vs. MANCHESTER CITY, 17th April 1995

After an encouraging victory against a lethargic Liverpool side on Good Friday, around 5,000 Blues made the journey to a windswept Ewood Park with the possibility of maximum points from the Easter campaign still on, as it had been in last season’s relegation battle. However, with the champions-elect 5 points clear at the top of the league, it was more in hope than expectation that the hordes of Blues took up their seats in the lower tier of the Darwen End stand (after all, the game was live on BSkyB too!), certainly the best facilities for away fans in the league.

With Terry Phelan suffering from a hamstring strain, Richard Edghill was switched to left back and John Foster moved out to the right. Curle and Kernaghan were the central partnership in a four-man defence. In midfield were Summerbee, Flitcroft, Simpson and Walsh; Simpson replaced Gaudino, apparently suffering from a stomach bug – I don’t really think he’d have played on this heavy surface anyway (it had been raining all afternoon) and I thought the inclusion of the tigerish Simpson was a good move. Up front were Quinn and Rösler. Colin Hendry got a warm reception from the City fans, as might be expected. Before the game there was a well-observed minute’s silence in memory of Mick Heaton, who died in a road accident a few miles away earlier this week. There was also the presentation of the players’ Player of the Year trophy to Alan Shearer, who was applauded by both sets of fans.

City took the game to Rovers straight away, clearly not intimidated by their impressive home record, the only league defeat being the Rags’ controversial 4-2 victory back in October. The home side had hardly been in the City half when they took the lead in the 7th minute courtesy of a horrific mistake from Tony Coton. Under no pressure, he mis-kicked a clearance straight to Alan Shearer who hit the ball straight back and into the far corner of the net, just out of TC’s reach. Had it fallen to anybody else, or if he’d taken a touch to control the ball first, there probably wouldn’t have been a goal. A superb strike, and just the start City didn’t need.

The heads didn’t drop though, and City poured on the pressure looking for an equaliser. Flowers made a good save and a header from the resulting corner was cleared off the line by a defender. There was passion in City’s play and we were winning many 50-50 chances in midfield – most unusual! Foster, Summerbee and Quinn were combining well down the right flank and it was from here that City’s equaliser came. Summerbee floated over a cross towards Quinn, whose shirt was pulled by Pearce. It wasn’t too evident on TV but clear as day from behind the goal and from where referee Keith Cooper was. Nevertheless, Quinn didn’t seem to be affected by the challenge and Flowers picked out the cross; to his horror a penalty had been given (he was right to give it but most referees wouldn’t have done). Hendry had a word with Flowers whilst Keith Curle tried to find the penalty spot within the mud bath that was the penalty area. Fortunately Curle managed to keep his footing and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way as he stroked the ball into the bottom right-hand corner. How long would it be before Rovers regained the lead, we wondered cynically?

The answer was 7 minutes this time. Rovers came more into the game and had their best spell, with Sutton going close a couple of times. The goal came from a corner which was flicked on by a City defender to the unmarked Hendry at the edge of the area. He volleyed the ball goalwards but TC got down well to block it. Unfortunately, the ball seemed to ricochet off his elbow, under his body and into the net. Colin was very pleased. City once again strove to get back on terms, Simpson excelling in midfield but we went in a goal down at half time. The first half performance was City’s best for ages and a repeat of it in the second half (without the give-away) would surely bring us a point? We ducked as a low-flying pig passed overhead.

City continued to play well and took the game to the home side in the second half. Curle and Kernaghan weren’t giving Shearer a sniff (which is all he needs) and City were creating a fair number of chances at the other end. City’s second equaliser again came from a Summerbee cross towards Quinn. This time Hendry headed it out but the clearance fell at the feet of Rösler, who stroked the ball into the net from 22 yards, a brilliant finish from his first chance of the game. Summerbee continued to supply chances from the right flank but Simpson, Walsh and then Summerbee himself were unable to convert. Rösler made a good turn and sent Flitcroft through but his low shot which was heading for the bottom corner was turned away by Flowers.

City’s 3rd goal again came from the right flank; Quinn controlled a ball well by the touchline, holding it up well before releasing Summerbee into space with a neat square pass. Buzzer took the ball into the penalty area and hit a shot towards the far post which was palmed out by Flowers’ outstretched arm. Unfortunately for him, Walsh beat the defender to the rebound and knocked the ball in at the far post – our wildest dreams were coming true! City now seem to recognise that they’re useless at defending, so they continued to attack. Walsh was sent crashing into the advertising hoardings by Atkins, the referee played on, Quinn knocked the ball down to Flitcroft who hit a shot just like Rösler’s goal into the net. The goal didn’t count though because Quinn had pushed Hendry before the knock-down. City continued with 10 men as Blackburn pressed for an equaliser; Curle was now sent crashing into the hoardings behind the goal, leaving City with only 9 men. Fortunately the referee stopped play and Beagrie came on to replace Walsh.

Blackburn brought on Batty (returning from a long-term injury) to bolster their midfield and began to apply some sustained pressure. Still it was City who threatened most on the break though. Curle returned to the field of play and ran off his injury; Flitcroft had another goal disallowed – this time he’d been just about a nose offside when Beagrie’s cross came in to the near post for him to head in. At the other end City were getting bodies in the way of everything, including a free kick from just outside the box, like the one from which Le Saux scored at Maine Road. Rösler raced clear of both central defenders, chipped the goalkeeper from 30 yards only to see his effort cannon back off the crossbar and straight into Flowers’ hands. It was an anxious last few minutes but City defended well and held the ball in the Blackburn half rather than just clearing the ball upfield aimlessly. The whistles came from the City fans to encourage the referee to look at his watch but the second half had started late and play continued on. At last he blew, though with a second half of just over 47 minutes, I’d expected a little more injury time. Still, I wasn’t complaining.

The players came over to the City fans who’d been magnificent throughout and bowed in a line. We stayed behind singing for quite a while but my voice was completely wrecked by now. This was the best performance City have put in for a few seasons, certainly better than anything this season or last. Brian Horton has his critics, particularly regarding his tactical abilities and motivational qualities but there was nothing wrong tonight. Only TC will be disappointed with his performance, despite holding everything on a greasy surface in the second half. In the middle, the much-maligned Summerbee and Simpson were both excellent (Simpson in particular was singled out by a Blackburn fan I was talking to after the game) and City’s finishing was superb. Even Kenny Dalglish admitted that City deserved the win; what more can I say? I was there and I won’t forget it for a very long time indeed.

Final score: Rovers 2 City 3.

Incidentally, Rovers are now only 5-1 on to win the league. I hope they get back on track with a win against Palace on Thursday, albeit without the suspended Hendry and Sherwood.

MATCH COMMENTS

BLACKBURN vs. MANCHESTER CITY

Before a report on the game it is worth reflecting on the scores this afternoon. Palace and Southampton won. This puts the Saints fairly safe with Palace still near the bottom but with 2 games in hand on most of the others. Everton only drew with Wednesday, so still have big problems, although I feel they are too good to go down. Coventry lost to Forest; they are not out of the woods yet. The Rags did us no favours by giving 1 pt to Chelsea, but the really significant results were Norwich losing to Spurs 1-0, WHU drawing with Ipswich and Villa losing 4-0 at home to Arsenal. I feel Norwich will now go down with Ipswich and Leicester, leaving just 1 more team. Villa have got big problems. If City could get a draw tonight then pressure would be put on other teams. Unfortunately we are on Sky.

I will leave the main match report to someone else but as a verdict, Coton had a nightmare first half with the first goal a clearance straight to Shearer who hit it first time in ‘WHU vs. City 69-70’ style. Who scored that goal? City had more of the possession but Rovers were playing the more controlled football and it came as something of a surprise when City got a penalty for a foul on Quinn. I had the benefit of Sky TV so saw Pearce tug at Niall (after the 3rd replay); those who went to the game wouldn’t have given a shit anyway- it was a pen. Where has my faith gone? I was sure Curley would miss – straight inside the right corner.

Blackburn regained the lead when Hendry shot from outside the box and it skidded under the body of Coton and then through the legs of Foster on the line. City went in at half time probably the lesser team with 4 shots, 2 on target against 8 for Blackburn. Rösler and Summerbee had not had a touch; at this stage I would have given them both 5 out of 10, performance wise. Kernaghan had been booked in the first 5 minutes and then been given a final warning 2 minutes later. The rest of the half he had settled down to play well. The second half City were brilliant, Flitcroft and Simpson (Dino had a stomach bug) controlling the midfield and after 60 minutes a long ball to Quinn in the Blackburn penalty area was kocked down by Hendry but only as far as Rösler who, from outside the penalty area, sidefooted it past Flowers. City’s 3rd came from Quinn on the right wing who knocked it inside to Summerbee whose shot was only parried by Flowers and Walsh followed it up for 3-2. After that, Flitcroft hit a shot for Flowers to brilliantly save, and had 2 goals disallowed, Rösler hit the bar, Summerbee could have scored, and I went for a walk, barefooted in the pouring rain to calm myself down. Sky TV said it was probably the best game they had shown all season. City had 52% of the game, 13 shots vs. 12 for Rovers (Mike Summerbee called the Stats a liar, we were far more dominant).

The Man of the Match was Curle and I totally agree. Other performances:-

Coton 6

Will admit both goals his fault.

Foster 7

Contained Ripley, who played on the left.

Kernaghan 8

Very calm, especially after his early booking.

Curle 9

Absolutely outstanding: took no shit from SAS.

Edghill 8

Played left back, good distribution, good tackling.

Summerbee 6

Mainly for his first half performance. Peter Barnes on Piccadilly said it was thebest 2nd 45 minutes he had seen Nicky play.

Flitcroft 8

Unlucky not to have a hat trick.

Simpson 7

Got booked, some crunching tackles. Had a scuffle with Batty, and said ‘calm down, you are losing you wanker’ (thegirlfriend lip reads).

Walsh 7

Played out of position, left sided midfield.

Rösler 7

Difficult one, he did bugger all apart from score and hit the cross bar, but what more do you want?

Quinn 7

It is difficult, you watch him and you think “what a donkey”, yet he was at thefocal point of all City’s goals. Mike Summerbee voted him Man of the Matchand Horton raved about him.

A brilliant Easter, other results could have been better but the good thing is that we are not relying on other teams. Finally – Good Luck Blackburn

NEWS – PHILL GATENBY

Phill is the editor of ‘This Charming Fan’ which is an occasional fanzine (next issue August ’95) which grew out of the much-mourned ‘BluePrint’. He’s just written me a letter to tell me the reasons for BluePrint‘s disappearence; nothing sinister here – apparently all the leading lights bar one (Bill Borrows) got married and that was that!

He’s being interviewed between 8.00-9.00pm on GMR tonight (18th April) and will be talking about ‘TCF’ and ‘Standing Ovation’ so it should be worth listening in. Anyone care to write up what he says and send it in to MCIVTA?

NEWS – GRIFFITHS HAT TRICK

Carl Griffiths scored a hat-trick as City’s reserves beat league leaders Newcastle 3-0 on Wednesday night.

NEWS – DINO TRANSFERRED TO FRANKFURT KLINK!

German Teletext on Sunday was filled with various reports gleaned from an article in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung (a Frankfurt Sunday newspaper). The gist was as follows but the stories varied a little: it seems one of the lawyers at the State Prosecution Service has stated that there will be a decision this week on the Gaudino case. The official refused to elaborate but intimated that he believed that Gaudino will be indicted (correct legal term?) for car racketeering and receiving stolen goods. He stated that the prosecution could possibly go ahead immediately after Easter. Due to the variation in stories and not having seen the original article, I couldn’t say whether that means he’ll be hauled off in chains next week or whether they will merely commence proceedings.

NEWS – HORTON IS CARCINOGENIC!

German teletext carried the following headline yesterday (translated)

‘BH can cause cancer’!!!!

I was truly stunned at this latest revelation but I have to reveal that BH is in fact short for Busenhalter which is German for… Bra!?!?!?!

OPINION – MANAGER I

From a distance of many miles and with an increasing apprehension as to what might happen this season I have been a little reluctant to comment on managers. However, I’ll take you up on your request that more of us add some words.

Mine are brief. I don’t feel comfortable with anyone on that list, though I realise that Bruce Rioch is becoming liked. I would be more convinced if Bolton make it to the Premier.

It is becoming clear that City have three choices:

1. find another Horton and hope that this person can grow into the job and not find it too much.
2. find some manager on their way out or down. I would hate this as I don’t think it works.
3. Find some ex-City player who can do it.

I do not think Horton can stay and I don’t think that City can attract any big name, either from at home or abroad.

Over the past decade I have been disappointed again and again by what has happened to managers at City. McNeill seemed on the surface to have what it takes; Reid gave an impression for a while that he might be just what City needed; I was excited when Kendall came (and even though he left the first time I could have argued for a return but he seems to have lost the energy or passion). Kendall leaving the way he did was a turning point for City over the past few years. I think the confidence went as to the possibility of recruiting and keeping a name manager.

However, whoever we get will have to face a severe shortage of money for players. Then again if we can keep coming up with Röslers I am happy. I do think that Horton is a little out of his depth. His tactics in the first derby game were strange to say the least and in other games that I have seen in full on TV I have been a little unsure what he has been trying to do. That tactics can play a part without new players has been shown at Spurs since the arrival of Francis.

All this adds nothing to the discussion on the next manager. I am completely at a loss. All these rumours of Kidd coming back are interesting but is he ready to take over a club or does he need more time learning? If he does he will probably stay at United. If City do stay up will we, ironically, have more trouble getting a new manager than if we went down? At least if we went down we could only improve. Staying up will not lead to a real reversal of fortune, even given what I’ve said about Spurs.

I’ll throw one more name out. Bobby Robson: not because I would favour him but because it is possible.

I can’t write any more as it is very difficult to type when all your fingers have been crossed for weeks.

OPINION – MANAGER II

I waited ’til 2.00am Singapore time for the BBC World Service Sports Round-up and I wasn’t disappointed. We have beaten Liverpool!! Well done boys! Now for the Rovers game.

With this crucial win, BH might think he had saved his job at Maine Road. I however feel that he had been given time to prove himself and unfortunately he did not impress. We have a reasonably good crop of players, better than most teams in the Premiership, and our rightful position is nowhere near the relegation zone. People said he has done well given the amount of money (or the lack of it) but I feel the current crop of players, without needing to buy new and outrageously expensive ones, would be enough for a reasonably good manager to put City in the hunt for a place in Europe. He is a nice man (or so I heard) but in soccer being a nice man is not good enough. We need someone who can bring the best out of the current players. For that I have the following suggestions for the choice of manager.

1st Choice: Bruce Rioch

The fighting spirit in the Bolton team is admirable. They fought well inthe CCC final and with the number of games in hand, they will definitelybe the one to beat in the fight for a Premiership place. All this from avery young side from a reasonably small squad. His contract at Boltonexpires this summer and City should show some interest, although it willbe difficult to get him away from Bolton if they get promoted and we thedrop. Also, other teams will definitely be after him.

2nd Choice: Francis Lee

Let’s set a record!! If we can’t set any winning record of any sort, trythis. Make Franny the first Chairman/Manager in the English League.The man has the knowledge (of the game) and the emotion for the team.However, he lacks managerial experience (of the football kind) and whowill fire him in the event he fails? On the plus side, getting him asmanager is free.

3rd Choice: Douglas Moore (Singapore National Team Manager)

Haven’t heard of him? Well he was the assistant coach of New Zealandwhich qualified for the WC, for the first and only time, some years back.He then coached the Kuwait team ’til Saddam invaded the Kingdom. In the2 years there he made Kuwait a team to be feared in Asia and started thepeople of Kuwait talking of a place in the WC. In Singapore, hetransformed a mediocre team struggling in the 2nd Division of the MalaysiaProfessional League (in which Singapore is a guest) into a double-winningteam, winning both the League and Cup in 1 year. In this League, most ifnot all teams have 3 foreign players, some from England, Croatia,Cameroon – e.g. Mbouh Mbouh, Australia, etc. Singapore did thedouble with only two foreign players, playing most games with only one ornone. He ended Singapore’s 14 year wait for a taste of glory in theM-League. Last December, an unprecedented 55,000 Singapore fans madetheir way to Shah Alam Stadium (capacity 80,000) in Kuala Lumpur to watchSingapore win the coveted M-cup for the first time in 14 years. He mightjust be the man who can end the 19 years wait for glory at Maine Road.

Whoever is the man Franny chooses to lead City next season, let us wish him all the luck.

OPINION – MANAGER III

A few more comments like that would be brilliant!!! It seems BH got wind of them and thus the best Easter I’ve had in memory. But why should you sit there feeling frustrated? Make your views known like the rest of us!! Over the last few months I have supported BH’s position as manager, not because I think he’s the best man for the job but because there is no better alternative!!!! (a view which nearly changed when he substituted Walsh and Phelan on Friday). Granted, I am writing following what most people regard as our best performance this season, but these views are the same ones I held on Friday morning.

For the manager to resign at this point in the season would be suicide, because unless you appoint a charismatic manager the new-manager syndrome is a myth. Coventry have turned it around (I think?) because they have Big Ron, but on the other hand Norwich have most likely shot themselves in the foot with the resignation of Deehan, and his replacement with the inexperienced Megson. Does anybody really think that we have the man for the job in the club that can replace BH? Personally I don’t think so. I’ll be the first to admit that BH’s position should be reviewed at the end of the season, but it should be remembered that he has put together a team that is capable of beating the best in the land and to enlist a new manager would set us back another two seasons while a new team is built. On the other hand questions must be raised as to why City can go to Blackburn, staring relegation in the face, and return with a result, but go to United and give a totally gutless performance. Is this the manager’s lack of motivation or is it just that most of today’s players are interested only in money, and only turn out good performances when looking forward to Endsleigh league wages? Maybe it’s a mixture of both!!

If BH does lose his job who is available to replace him? The only viable alternative I can see is Rioch and I have my reservations as to whether he would come to City, especially if Bolton get promotion. The other possibility is that Lee, Barlow and Summerbee get more involved with the management side and leave Horton to coach the players, but this might mean the early departure of Franny and Co. should City go through another bad patch leaving the Club open to another take-over from any interested party. Finally I’d like to comment on Summerbee’s (jnr) coming of age with his recent string of class performances. At last he’s taking players on and leaving them for dead. Any winger who can make Le Saux look a donkey must be good!!!!

OPINION – EDITORIAL IMPARTIALITY

Should Ashley include his personal controversial views in the newsletter or be totally impartial?

I agree 100% with Ashley’s views on Brian Horton but this is irrelevant. Just because some subscribers may disagree with him, Ashley should not hesitate to contribute to any discussion or debate. First and foremost Ashley is a City fan and like us all has his own point of view. If I was editing the MCIVTA newsletter, I would find it very frustrating if I was pasting together the contributions of others and not feel able to comment myself, especially if I considered a particular contribution to be total nonsense.

I doubt whether it is really necessary, but perhaps Ashley should assure subscibers that they are welcome to respond to his controversial views, and if they do so in a negative manner, that they will still find themselves on the mailing list!!! After all, it is a game of football we are talking about, so long as the views expressed are not of a personal and abusive nature, but simply discussing matters concerning football then I don’t believe there is a problem.

I’m sure everybody who’s been reading MCIVTA knows that their opinion is welcomed and that I have no intention of assuming the rôle of a censor and arbiter of political correctness.

COMMENT – WINNING WAYS

Having been to the Spurs match on Tuesday and seeing us get no reward for a battling performance, it was good to get back to winning ways against Liverpool. The atmosphere at today’s game was superb (best this season?) and the crowd really got behind the team. John Foster had another good game but the defence still looked vulnerable in the first half as they did against Spurs. Uwe led by example at the front and gave another 100% performance.

In the longer term, I think that the fans will have to be patient with the board, because with the exception of a fortunate few (notably Blackburn), clubs must generate money themselves using whatever means possible. It seems obvious that the club has failed to realise its potential from a cash generation point of view under the previous regime and this must be a priority for the present board.

COMMENT – VARIOUS

Ashley, you raised a few questions on the latest MCIVTA so here in no particular order is an attempt at a response –

1. Yes, of course you should have your opinions in print the same as everyone else.
2. I suppose MCIVTA is a bit fanzine-ish in that the same people tend toprovide the articles and therefore it is that opinion that is shown. Not acomplaint, more an observation.
3. I don’t tend to vote for Player of the Year awards. I don’t personallythink it’s that relevant. I don’t know these people well enough, or even atall. The guy might be a real obnoxious bastard, although I don’t supposethat matters that much. I would guess Rösler will win, but is hiscontribution more valuable than Curle’s or Coton’s?
4. I don’t really know how to judge a manager. If you had 22 identicalmanagers and 22 identical teams then someone is going to win and someone isgoing to lose. So many factors come into the equation. Money, chairmens’opinions and preferences. Luck? All managers have good runs and bad runs.If Horton goes, who takes over? There is no one I’m afraid to say that Iwould prefer. Would West Ham have done better if they had sacked a fewmanagers over the years instead of sticking through thick and thin withtheir man? Hypothetical question of course, but personally I like to see abit of continuity. At least the players can have a bit of faith then. Itmust be very difficult for them to know where they stand when managers comeand go as they do.
5. I remember years ago discussing with a Palace fan – there were about 6matches to the end of the season and Palace were in trouble. They got rid oftheir manager and a certain Malcolm Allison took over. I convinced this guythis was good news, a new manager would motivate and Palace would be OK.Palace went down.

SALVATION

You beauty! I jumped 6 feet when I heard the results. City 2 Liverpool 1, Blackburn 2 City 3. Well, Easter’s all about resurrection and salvation. Seems like the Blues have heard the message. Hallelujah!

TICKETS

I’ll be going to England unexpectedly next week which means I’ll able to make it to the Newcastle game on the 29th April at Maine Road. I rung my mate up on Thursday lunchtime to ask him to get tickets and he immediately rang the ticket office (credit card sales) but gave up after about 5 attempts as no one ever answered. He then contacted the main office who assured him that there were 5 people constantly answering the phones. He tried again and after several further, fruitless attempts again rang the office and eventually talked to the guy in charge of ticket sales. He said that they have a new exchange in operation which queues callers but for some reason BT cuts them off after 5 minutes (he wasn’t even getting queued!). He told him to ring back in 5 minutes. He rang back and the guy took his order. Result: Saturday morning 2 tickets arrived in the post! It seems that at least some people in the office are trying to help and that things may just be being turned round.

BOLER’S TRIBULATIONS

Here’s some depressing news I read early last week. Remember how little PJS and Boler seemed to put into the club, which leaves City in the financial mess they’re currently in? Look at how little Franny has been able to summon towards the club and think on this….

Last week while Peter (Stephen?) Boler was playing on his own golf club (Mere Golf and Country Club to be precise, I think memberships start at approx 3.5K), the roof of his thatched cottage caught fire. The fire brigade managed to put the blaze out using water from his luxury swimming pool. Boler was upset at the blaze but was comforted in the knowledge that he should be able to put things right after a deal earnt him 25M!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So why the friggin’ hell didn’t he put some of his obvious money and financial talents into the club while he was on the board and appease the fans!!

WBA CHARITY SHIELD

I was also at that game and I remember Bobby Owen making his début, after signing from the rags. He scored in the first minute with his first touch of the ball, to be followed later on by a second. From then on it was downhill for him.

Talking about good first impressions, can anyone remember a local superstar who took the Northern Premier League by storm. He was Ashton Utd’s answer to Steve Bull, scoring more than a goal a game. City signed him and on his début (I think) scored 2 goals. I think, like Bobby Owen, he did nothing after that and went back to Ashton, to carry on scoring goals. The name: Barney Daniels. Any other one-hit wonders around?

REQUEST – TV PERFORMANCES

I’m still looking for any reminiscences people have of City’s Live TV games (topical, eh?) for the WWW page. All contributions gratefully received!

QUESTION – VIOLENCE

In today’s Washington Post, there is a one page article about the increasing occurrence of football-related violence. The article cites the Palace/Man U fan incident in Birmingham, Eric Cantona’s ninja impersonation, Roy Keane doing the stomp on a Palace player, the England/Ireland abandonment and Chelsea supporters in Bruges and Spain. I ask that you (Ashley), and other subscribers comment on whether or not this violence is increasing, or if the media is just paying more attention to it.

Being in the US and being an American, the only football violence I can “observe” is via newspapers, or the occasional clip on ESPN (a 24 hour sports network). I have read various texts on the subject (Among the Thugs; Steaming In; Football Violence and Social Identity) but I obviously have no way of directly seeing what is really going on.

Besides being curious/disgusted/fascinated about the “excesses” of football supporters, I am also concerned about my personal safety in the event that I attend any European Championship matches. The last thing I want (and anyone else not instigating these fights), is to be caught up in a brawl while trying to watch a match. I’m sure I have rambled on a bit so I’ll cut it off right here. Thank you in advance for any comments.

QUESTION – CANTONA

The following is from one of our United subscribers:

Well, I am coming around to the idea that the most wonderful talent that I have ever been privileged to see, certainly at O.T., is going to have to go. I think it’s an appalling indictment to us all (the English amongst us), ‘cos whilst we might not be psycho fans, this is our game, and there is still far too much hate in it.

Anyway, I’m writing to you lot for another poll, this one about “should Eric sling his hook somewhere else?” I would be quite happy with Barca myself. At least if he goes now, it will be for foreign pastures. But what do the panel think? Complete indifference does count (it’s a plus for Eric to stay in Madchester).

Once again, genuine best wishes for the Easter blitz. And I can assure that most Reds can’t stand the sight nor sound of the wanker Christian.

UuuuuWEeeee!!!!!!!!
UuuuuWEeeee!!!!!!!!
UuuuuWEeeee!!!!!!!!

{8->]  = My Eric Smilie (with starched collar)

For what it’s worth, I think Cantona has probably suffered enough; he’s definitely a nutter at times but he has been brought to book and it has almost certainly cost United the title. Of course English football would be much poorer without him but my only question would be whether United should have sold him for the club’s sake, as at times it appears the dog is wagging the tail!

RESULTS & LEAGUE TABLE

Apr 13, 1995   West_Ham        - Wimbledon        3 - 0
Apr 14, 1995   Crystal_Palace  - Tottenham        1 - 1
               Everton         - Newcastle        2 - 0
               Manchester_C    - Liverpool        2 - 1
Apr 15, 1995   Arsenal         - Ipswich          4 - 1
               Chelsea         - Aston_Villa      1 - 0
               Coventry        - Sheffield_W      2 - 0
               Leeds           - Blackburn        1 - 1
               Leicester       - Manchester_U     0 - 4
               Southampton     - Queen's_PR       2 - 1
Apr 17, 1995   Aston_Villa     - Arsenal          0 - 4
               Blackburn       - Manchester_C     2 - 3
               Ipswich         - West_Ham         1 - 1
               Liverpool       - Leicester        2 - 0
               Manchester_U    - Chelsea          0 - 0
               Newcastle       - Leeds            1 - 2
               Nottingham      - Coventry         2 - 0
               Queen's_PR      - Crystal_Palace   0 - 1
               Sheffield_W     - Everton          0 - 0
               Tottenham       - Norwich          1 - 0
               Wimbledon       - Southampton      0 - 2

Total Apr 17, 1995

Blackburn       38    25   8   5    76  -  34    83
Manchester_U    38    23   9   6    70  -  24    78
Nottingham      39    20  10   9    67  -  40    70
Liverpool       37    19  10   8    61  -  30    67
Newcastle       38    19  10   9    61  -  41    67
Leeds           38    17  12   9    52  -  35    63
Tottenham       37    16  11  10    59  -  48    59
Queen's_PR      38    15   8  15    56  -  55    53
Wimbledon       38    15   7  16    46  -  63    52
Arsenal         39    13  10  16    50  -  46    49
Southampton     37    11  15  11    55  -  58    48
Manchester_C    38    12  11  15    50  -  59    47
Sheffield_W     39    12  11  16    45  -  55    47
Chelsea         38    11  13  14    43  -  50    46
Coventry        38    11  13  14    39  -  56    46
Aston_Villa     38    10  13  15    47  -  53    43
Everton         37    10  13  14    40  -  48    43
West_Ham        37    11   9  17    38  -  46    42
---------------------------------------------------
Crystal_Palace  36    10  12  14    27  -  36    42
Norwich         39    10  12  17    34  -  49    42
Leicester       39     5   9  25    40  -  77    24
Ipswich         38     6   6  26    33  -  86    24

WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

Thanks to Martin, The Mole, Mark, John (x2), Colin, Kevin, Neil, Nizam, Jesse, Andy & George.

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.

Editor: