Newsletter #354

This issue has quite a bit of positive news: Bradbury’s injury is almost healed and he looks set to return early in the New Year; Rösler is making noises about wanting to stay at the club; and there’s also news of a Swiss trialist, and the probable return of Gio and début of Shelia on Saturday. As usual, things are rounded off by quite a bit of opinion.

Next game, Birmingham City away, Saturday 13th December 1997

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NEWS – RÖSLER TO STAY?

Uwe Rösler has promised Manchester City he wants to stay at Maine Road.

In a message that will delight City fans he said: “I am still keen to stay at Manchester City, I have never said I want to leave. I have always said I would be happy to stay at City. But when the new contract was discussed myself, my agent and my family all felt that it was not good enough.”

City’s assistant chief Alan Hill said: ” It’s good to hear Uwe saying he wants to stay, hopefully he will come to speak to the manager. But there will certainly be more negotiations.”

On his likely return to the first team, Rösler said: “I’m feeling fit; maybe I need another reserve game to be 100%. At the moment I’m about 90% right. But I want to be playing in the first team.”

Jim Sim (jim.simmons@bbc.co.uk)

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NEWS – BRADBURY’S COMEBACK PUT ON ICE

By Paul Walker, PA Sport

Manchester City’s record signing Lee Bradbury’s comeback has been put on ice until the New Year. The £3.5million striker had been hoping for the go-ahead to relaunch his Maine Road career following a scan on his damaged back. But the result of the scan was not as good as hoped, and manager Frank Clark said: “The most optimistic hope was that he would be given the go-ahead to return to full training and just may have played in the Christmas programme. But I repeat, that was the very best scenario we could have hoped for. As it is, the result of the scan was very encouraging, but it showed that the injury had not quite healed, so the advice is that we take things carefully. It’s important that we don’t take any risks. Lee has been told he can start light training, but we can forget about Christmas matches. I don’t like putting dates on things like this because it puts pressure on the player, but we are now looking at early in the New Year as the likely comeback.”

England Under-21 striker Bradbury has missed the last 12 City games, which has seen them score just seven times and plunge into the first division relegation zone. After his summer move from Portsmouth, he failed to score in the first eight matches but had just found his feet and scored in successive matches when he was sidelined by a hairline fracture in his back.

Bradbury said: “I’ve been feeling great, and been doing plenty of swimming and gym work. I had been hoping to get clearance to start full training, but it’s not quite ready yet.”

Clark added: “Being without Lee and Uwe Rösler for such a long time has been a major blow to us.” Rösler, however, is in line for a comeback at Birmingham on Saturday, along with midfielder Georgi Kinkladze, while fellow Georgian Murtaz Shelia is also likely to play in defence.

Klaus Petzel (Klaus.Petzel@cor.dowjones.com)

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NEWS – NEW LEAGUE?

Here is some info I picked up from The Sporting Life paper on the web, how it will affects City in the seasons to come I’m not sure, but the increased promotion and relegation between leagues is something to look at. I put this out as information for anyone to discuss.

I may be quiet for a few weeks (thank God say some ;OP) as I am moving at work and I’m not sure when I’ll get my email back on-line. So in case I’m “off air” until after Christmas can I be the first to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and New Year. I’ll be at the Bradford cup game on the 3rd along with my better half, having been moved from my normal seat in the North Stand to where the away fans are normally, so if you want to meet up before I’ll be in the Parkside (near Maine Road, not Prestwich) before the match (and most other home matches).

All the best Ho Ho Ho CTID.

League Consider Super League Plans

By Phil Casey, PA Sport

The Football League will this week consider plans for their own 12-club Super League for Nationwide teams. That is one of the four radical proposals that will be presented to the clubs at a meeting in London on Thursday. And if it is accepted by the 72 member clubs, serious moves to alter the league’s structure could be underway as early as next February.

Two separate working parties have been preparing proposals to present to the clubs ahead of next year’s 100th anniversary of the formation of the world’s original league football competition. The first deals with an overhaul of the existing rule book to simplify the current regulations. But the second is sure to create more controversy with its ideas for a radical shake-up of the current league structure of three divisions of 24 clubs.

The League’s working party has come up with four alternatives:

1. Three divisions of 20, 26 and 26 clubs respectively with increasedpromotion and relegation between the divisions.
2. Four divisions of either 18 or 20 clubs with increased promotion andrelegation.
3. Six divisions of 12 clubs with increased promotion and relegation.
4. The creation of a Football League Super League of 12 clubs with twodivisions of 24 and another division of 12.

Football League chairman David Sheepshanks said the main aim behind the proposed changes was to encourage competition among the clubs and also make football more attractive to fans and sponsors alike. He said: “In order to thrive in the future the Football League needs to become more market led and provide competition for its member clubs that best serves the needs of our customers. That means the fans that pay at the gate as well as and corporate sponsors. We aim to provide a structure that allows all clubs to aspire to better things if successful; working with the highest common denominator and yet ensuring that the root can grow as well as the trunk.” Sheepshanks added that the proposals were not set in stone and the League was willing to listen to any possible alternatives that were put forward. “It’s possible that variations will come forward. If broad consensus for one or more of the changes is forthcoming then appropriate resolutions will be tabled for voting at the EGM in February,” Sheepshanks added.

Tony Hulme (T.Hulme@mmu.ac.uk)

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NEWS – RÖSLER: I WANT TO STAY AT CITY

By Paul Walker, PA Sport

Uwe Rösler has promised Manchester City he wants to stay at Maine Road. The German striker’s future at the troubled club is again in the spotlight, after his return from a seven-week ankle ligament injury. But in a message that will delight City fans he said: “I am still keen to stay at Manchester City – I have never said I want to leave.” Rösler is free to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires and has so far rejected the offer of a new deal. But City are keen to continue negotiations, and further talks between the club and their leading scorer for the past three seasons are now likely.

City are frightened they won’t get a penny for the player if he walks out on a free transfer in the summer. His valuation has come down to £1.5 million, and there has been interest in him from Everton, Sunderland and Sheffield Wednesday. A long spell out of action and a trip back to Germany for specialist advice on his injury had put the whole situation on ice. But now he is on the brink of a full first division comeback. He has made short appearances as a substitute in City’s last two league games and played a full reserve match, scoring twice in the 3-2 win over West Brom this week.

New Georgian signing Murtaz Shelia also produced an outstanding display, and both Rösler and the international defender could play at Birmingham on Saturday. Rösler said: “I have always said I would be happy to stay at City. But when the new contract was discussed myself, my agent and my family all felt that it was not good enough.” He added: “I really don’t know any more. You would have to talk to the chairman Francis Lee and the manager Frank Clark.” City’s assistant chief Alan Hill said: “It’s good to hear Uwe saying he wants to stay – hopefully he will come to speak to the manager. But there will certainly be more negotiations.” On his likely return to the first team, Rösler said: “I’m feeling fit; maybe I need another reserve game to be 100%. At the moment I’m about 90% right. But I want to be playing in the first team.”

Klaus Petzel (Klaus.Petzel@cor.dowjones.com)

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NEWS SUMMARY

Lee Bradbury’s comeback has been put on hold until the new year following a scan on his damaged back. The result of the scan was not quite as good as hoped, and Frank Clark said: “The most optimistic hope was that he would be given the go-ahead to return to full training and just may have played in the Christmas programme. But I repeat, that was the very best scenario we could have hoped for. As it is, the result of the scan was very encouraging, but it showed that the injury had not quite healed, so the advice is that we take things carefully. It’s important that we don’t take any risks. Lee has been told he can start light training, but we can forget about Christmas matches. I don’t like putting dates on things like this because it puts pressure on the player, but we are now looking at early in the new year as the likely comeback.” Bradbury, who has missed the last 12 City games after sustaining a hairline fracture in his back whilst playing for England U21s, said: “I’ve been feeling great, and been doing plenty of swimming and gym work. I had been hoping to get clearance to start full training, but it’s not quite ready yet.”

City have scored only 7 goals in those 12 games. Frank Clark commented: “Being without Lee and Uwe Rösler for such a long time has obviously been a major blow to us and goal scoring has not been easy.” However, Rösler is strongly tipped to make a return to the starting line-up at Birmingham on Saturday after bagging two goals in the reserves’ 3-2 win over West Brom at Altrincham on Tuesday night. City’s other goal was scored by Neil Heaney, who took good advantage of a glorious pass from the very impressive Murtaz Shelia, who is likely to make his first team debut at St. Andrew’s. With Gio Kinkladze fit again after his ankle injury, Craig Russell, Jeff Whitley and Jason van Blerk are the likely candidates to be left out.

Uwe Rösler has been in the press this week stating that he still wants to stay at City: “I am still keen to stay at Manchester City – I have never said I want to leave. I have always said I would be happy to stay at City. But when the new contract was discussed myself, my agent and my family all felt that it was not good enough. I really don’t know any more. You would have to talk to the chairman Francis Lee and the manager Frank Clark.” It seems that City may be prepared to compromise regarding their offer to the German striker, as Alan Hill said: “It’s good to hear Uwe saying he wants to stay – hopefully he will come to speak to the manager. But there will certainly be more negotiations.” On his likely return to the first team, Rösler said: “I’m feeling fit; maybe I need another reserve game to be 100%. At the moment I’m about 90% right. But I want to be playing in the first team.”

City are giving a trial to Swiss full back Alan Vernier. The Neuchatel Xamax defender will arrive in Manchester this week whilst his own league takes a winter break. However, he would need to be very impressive to secure a contract since Switzerland is not part of the EC and securing a work permit for him is likely to be difficult. Another consideration is that City are actively trying to reduce the size of the squad rather than increase it.

City are expected to take around 4,000 fans to Birmingham on Saturday; there will be cash turnstiles on the day but the tickets available from the Maine Road ticket office represent a slight saving for anyone who is considering making the trip and hasn’t yet obtained a ticket.

Season ticket holders have until Saturday, December 20th to buy their usual seat for the F.A. Cup 3rd Round tie against Bradford City on 3rd January. However, blocks K to R in the North Stand have been allocated to the visitors so fans in those sections will have the option of buying seats in blocks S, T and U. Season ticket holders need to present voucher “V” and their book. Tickets will go on open sale from 9am on Monday 15th and any unclaimed season tickets holders’ seats will be on sale from Monday, December 22nd. The fax-a-seat service is not available for this fixture.

Paul Howarth (paul@city-fan.org)

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NEWS FROM THE WIRES

Swiss defender Alain Vernier is to spend a trial period with Manchester City. The Neuchatel Xamax full back will arrive later this week after the Swiss League started its winter break on Saturday.

Vernier played in Neuchatel’s UEFA Cup tie against Inter Milan earlier this season when the Swiss side lost both legs 2-0 and City boss Frank Clark considers he has the experience the club desperately need in their bid to stay away from the first division relegation zone.

Vernier, who can play at left or right wing back, will be 30 in February and is out of contract at the end of the season. City have taken the opportunity to see the player train as the Swiss League does not resume until March.

However, if City decide to take their interest further, they could have work permit problems as Switzerland is not in the European Community.

Meanwhile, Northern Ireland Goalie and German striker Uwe Rösler are expected to be fit for Saturday’s match against Birmingham, in which Georgi Kinkladze should also return.

Jim Sim (jim.simmons@bbc.co.uk)

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WEST YORKSHIRE BRANCH CSA MEETING

Our new branch president Lee Bradbury attended his 1st meeting this week. Lee is quietly spoken and seems a nice bloke (maybe that’s our problem, all our players are too nice!). He began by telling us about his army career (“I joined ‘cos my mate did”) and his success in their football teams which led to his move to Portsmouth. The move to City came out of the blue with his agent Paul Walsh phoning him on Portsmouth’s pre-season tour to tell him of our interest, although Southampton were also interested. Lee supported the Saints as a boy.

There then followed the usual question and answer session which revealed that he thinks he can form a good partnership with Dickov, but would rather play with a winger. Lee has a scan this week and hopes to have a couple of reserve games with a view to being fit for Boxing Day. The most worrying thing was the fact that the team don’t regard themselves as being in a relegation battle – maybe they should take a look at the league table.

Next meeting is on 6/1/98 with Bernard Halford so if any Yorkshire Blues fancy joining, phone secretary Ian Barton on 01904 488347.

Gareth Jones (gjones@actiondata.co.uk)

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A MESSAGE FROM COLIN BELL

The following letter – written by Colin Bell – is taken from King of the Kippax (November issue) and is printed by kind permission of Sue Wallace:

I would like to thank you for your many warm comments throughout the life of KK, and especially in the issue of KK63 of November. I have watched the development of your publication with interest and have admired the commitment of fans, the quality of contributions and the work of the editorial team.

It is true that I don’t seek publicity, but I write now to respond to those fans who have supported me consistently through my career, and in the recent difficult months. It is fair comment to say that the way I was sacked was as hard as the actual fact of my dismissal from a job I loved and gave my best to, and the realisation that I was no longer valued by the Club I gave my all for.

I would like the fans of Manchester City to know that the accusations about the quality of my coaching ability were never a real issue, and this has been a red herring to avoid the actual reasons for my dismissal. I am absolutely confident about my skills and abilities, and I stand by my knowledge of the game at all levels.

I want to stress that I decided to take the action because I knew that my good name mattered, not only to me and my family but also to the fans of Manchester City who have meant such a great deal to me over the years. I had only one aim – to clear my name and keep faith with those fans. I had no interest in compensation, which is why I refused offers before the case was heard, which tried to prevent me speaking about the true facts of the matter. I have my good name intact, and I have nothing but good memories of my time at Maine Road.

If circumstances were different, I would jump at the opportunity to come back to Manchester City and help it to return to where it belongs – at the top. I wish the Club every success in the future, because I believe that the fans deserve it. You are the best!

Yours sincerely,

Colin Bell

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WALSHY

Just a couple of lines to express my greatest thanks to Paul Walsh for the many hours of enjoyment he gave me wearing the Blue shirt of City. So very sad to hear of his retirement from the game. And thanks to Alan Ball for starving us of more of Walshy, what a relief it was when he was replaced by Creaney, top bit of transfer activity by the Ginger Haired Genius!

Mark Dutton (MarkDutton@Saltunion.com)

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THE YEAR IN REVIEW

Any suggestions for awards this year – funniest song, best/worst opposition fans, best/worst ground?

Let me start the ball rolling:

Funniest song – “One Kelloggs Corn Flakes” (QPR match)

Chris Egerton (chrisegerton@ATKearney.com)

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OPINION – TEAM FORMATION

After yet another defeat at Maine Road I have to wonder when Clark and his coaching staff are going to realise that their tactics are not working. We’ve been playing 5 at the back with no wingers for most of the season now, and it is not producing scoring chances. We lost Gio for the game against Wolves, but failed to replace him with Scully (the only other player I can think of who attacks defenders by running at them). We therefore resorted to hoofing the ball over to our 5 foot 6 inch striker. This tactic may work if you’ve got Niall Quinn up front, but we haven’t. It’s time Frank admitted his team formation isn’t working and tried to change it. If he doesn’t, we will continue to struggle in front of goal.

Why was Keith Curle booed at Maine Road? I think it may have something to do with a interview broadcast on GMR just after he signed for Wolves. Curle said he was happy that he was joining a big club. That sort of comment doesn’t go down well with us Blues. Watch what happens when Niall comes back with Sunderland in a couple of weeks. He’ll be given a hero’s welcome, ’cause he loved the club.

Charles Pollitt (cpollitt@fs1.scg.man.ac.uk)

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OPINION – VIEW FROM A KIPPAX JUNIOR

It’s perhaps worrying if fans have stopped getting angry about our atrocious home form. Have we got used to 1-0 defeats? My son wasn’t right impressed with the performance against Wolves and was moved to write to Frank Clark. I didn’t prompt him nor did I write the words. I merely helped him out on the word-processor. This is what our Martin has to say:

“I am 10 years old, I have a season ticket and have been going to matches for 5 years. I have only seen City win about 8 times. I think Paul Dickov tries very hard to win but the rest of the team let him and themselves down. Paul Dickov should be captain. Georgi Kinkladze, Martyn Margetson, Uwe Rösler, when fit, are good players. City should be at the top of the league, but we play so badly we don’t deserve to be. I’m going to see City vs. Bradford in the cup and we’d better win.”

“The last game against Wolves we should have won, even if we did have a very bad referee. Mr. Clark, do something about it. You know, I could always support Preston North End. I don’t know why I don’t quit supporting City. City can play better and will play better.”

Nice touch that last one, a bit of optimism!

Poor Martin has seen all our defeats at Maine Road this season and no wins (we’re not counting the Blackpool cup game as a win). At school, in Chorley, he’s the only City fan. He’s surrounded by Man U and Blackburn lads although it’s difficult to see who supports which at any time.

For me, this is the worst aspect of our current plight. The club must be in danger of missing out on a generation of kids as potential supporters. How many kids will be prepared to take stick in the playground for supporting City?

CTID, but not sure about Martin, Rob Simmons (r.simmons@economics.salford.ac.uk)

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OPINION – NEW STADIUM

I read with dismay in News Roundup (MCIVTA 353) that there may be some doubt about us moving to the proposed new stadium at Eastlands if the capacity of this Commonwealth Games receptacle is only 40,000.

Firstly, we need a new stadium. One which is accessible; is not situated amongst a myriad of side streets, poorly lit and threatening, but in an open space, welcoming and friendly; has proper parking facilities; has a public transport system at its door. We need to feel safe getting to and away from matches. We don’t want to sit in our cars and buses for 45 minutes after a match because the traffic has to negotiate double parked cars and narrow side streets emerging onto busy main roads.

Secondly, a new stadium would attract new fans and wouldn’t deter any old ones, save perhaps the odd very local ones. Anyone who can afford to go to a game can afford to travel a few miles more to a new venue (of course half the fans will have less far to travel). Look at Bolton’s gates since they moved to the Reebok Stadium. And talking of which, I have to drive past this impressive looking arena most days and there is not one time I drive past it that I don’t shake my head and sigh (even swear) at the thought that Bolton have this wonderful new ground, accessible and modern, whilst we have Maine Road (surely an ironic name), well past its sell by date.

I have to say, in reference to the reason given (capacity 40,000 not large enough) … well, I don’t have to do I?

We have to move. I heard FHL on the Footy Show saying that we are going to move and he’s staying on until we do. That’s enough for me to hope that he remains Chairman for a long time.

Simon Fink (simon.fink@virgin.net)

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OPINION – TOO SMALL!

As a regular at Maine Road and an occasional contributor to MCIVTA, I felt I had to question the continual match reports which praise Margetson; whilst I concede that he is a good shot stopper IMHO he is not a quality goalkeeper for one very simple reason… he is too small. The reason Wolves did not score more against us on Saturday was they did not exploit the diminutive ‘keeper; you watch any team that’s done their homework – they will always put a tall player in front of Margetson at set pieces particularly corners… à la Stockport! How many times have we to concede from corners this season?

We lack the spine a good team: striker, centre half, although Wiekens looks able to fill this void, and ‘keeper.

Still optimistic after all these beers! Ian Ferguson (ian.ferguson@virgin.net)

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OPINION – CLARK: TIME FOR JUDGEMENT

Given that we’re roughly one year into FC’s reign as manager, perhaps we should start to analyse just how hopeful we can be with him in charge.

In general terms, he’s doing OK – I feel safe that he’s a man of integrity but just how good was he at Forest? Admittedly, he got them into Europe one season but after getting rid of Collymore, they were never in the top order of clubs again and now they’re back in the Nationwide once more.

His transfer policy there was patchy – some good buys (Roy, Collymore at first but then look at Silenzi and Campbell) and some appalling ones. My concern is that at the Academy, he’s changing the team but in the wrong order. We still can’t grind out results and maybe that comes from a rather piecemeal approach to changing things defensively. Like everybody else, Wiekens impresses me greatly but who else is there – Edghill’s coming back from career-threatening injury and obviously hasn’t got back to where he was before, Symons has shot his bolt, Vaughan is hardly full of confidence either, you tell me who the other full back is going to be week on week.

And that’s the big problem in the side – not Symons, the full backs. The best system for us to play is 5-3-2, with Edghill and van Blerk as wing backs pushing up, creating width shoving players like Brown and Horlock more into central midfield, propping up further the central defence. Yes, a bigger central defender would help but let’s start with the basics first.

The strange thing is the spine up front is looking good though I’ll give it 2 months before Uwe leaves. With Horlock left side of midfield, Bradders, Russell (what do people make of him so far?) and Kinkladze up front and Wiekens at the back, we only need a regular right winger before the side begins to take shape.

But FC’s surely going the wrong way about it – sort out the full backs quickly before we have to book the coach to Macclesfield next season.

Chris Egerton (chrisegerton@ATKearney.com)

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OPINION – NEW STADIUM

Appalled though I was to hear that the possible (probable?) new stadium might have a capacity as low as 40,000, I am even more disturbed to hear the name “Millennium Stadium” used. Those based in Manchester may be able to enlighten me about whether this is really the chosen name? Think of the great stadium names: “The Stadium of Light” (Benfica’s that is!), “The Parc Des Princes”, “The Azteca”. Even Derby managed to choose a decent name for their new home. What does the name “Millennium Stadium” say about the arena, the city of Manchester, the Commonwealth Games, or our footy team?

Does anyone out there have any better suggestions? The humble best that I can think of is “The All Races Stadium”, but then again Stuart Hall’s “Theatre of Comedy” (with Baron Hardup as manager) is certainly apt. I offer a vitual pint for the best suggestion!

Rich Furniss, Rugby, UK (lj56@dial.pipex.com)

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

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MCIVTA ADDRESSES:
Contributions: Ashley – mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com
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Technical Problems: Paul – paul@city-fan.org

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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.

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Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com

Editor: