Newsletter #702

I had mixed feelings as I was (half) watching events in München last night. Nice to have a large audience see ‘they’ are not omnipotent, but then again I fear they’ll be stung by the defeat and a tough task for the Blues has probably just become a whole lot tougher. If results go against us, we could be as good as down by tea time tomorrow, but if so here’s hoping we go down fighting. Wouldn’t it be so nice to put one over on them on our way down?

This issue has another report from Leicester, places to meet up and watch the game on TV around the world (including Beverley!), responses to my request for records we’re likely to break (depressing stuff), a follow up on Harry Godwin and a mixture of views, all kicked off by Pete’s news summary.

One more issue from me on Monday and then Ash’s back… if he can remember how to do it!

NEWS SUMMARY

Part I – Transfer News and Rumour

Tiatto to Stay Come What May: It had been thought that Danny Tiatto would be a summer transfer target for several top clubs if Manchester City are, as expected, relegated from the Premiership. But the Australian says he’s staying at Maine Road whether or not the Blues stay in the top flight. Tiatto has been arguably City’s greatest success this season, and is expected to pick up the fans’ player of the year award next month. And the 27-year-old’s fine form led to rumours of predatory interest from the likes of Chelsea. But the player says he’s enjoying his time with the Blues and has no thoughts of moving away. “I’m happy at City,” he confirmed. “I’ve got three years left on my contract and I see no reason to look elsewhere. Even if the worst comes to the worst, we have the talent here to bounce back.”

Part II – Miscellaneous News and Views

Dickov Boosted by Ban Reprieve: Paul Dickov will be available for the rest of Manchester City’s survival battle after all. The striker had been due to serve a ban which would have kept him out of the last three games of the season but his red card has now been commuted to a booking. Dickov was suspended for the Blues’ last two games after picking up ten yellow cards this campaign. And he was scheduled to miss three more games after being dismissed with Everton’s Alessandro Pistone, who reacted angrily to the Scot’s late tackle in the league game at Goodison Park earlier this month. But while Pistone’s punishment for violent conduct remains, match referee David Elleray agreed to reduce the sanction against the City player. The news was the ex-Arsenal player’s second cause for celebration this week. He has also been named in the Scotland squad for next week’s friendly international in Poland.

Alfie Back in Norway Squad: Alfie Haaland expressed the view earlier this season that his international career was over. But the Manchester City skipper has been proved wrong – he’s been named in he latest Norway squad. The Norwegians take on Bulgaria in a friendly international, and, probably much to his own surprise, Haaland has been included in the 21-man party named by coach Nils Johan Semb. The 28-year-old had been constantly overlooked for selection since his £2.5 million move to Maine Road from Leeds last summer but is one of five City players to be away on international duty next week. Paul Dickov has been called up by Scotland, while Mark Kennedy and Richard Dunne are in the Republic of Ireland party for a match against Andorra and Paulo Wanchope will fly out for Costa Rica’s match against the USA after Saturday’s trip to Manchester United.

Streakers Given Life Ban: Two streakers who ran onto the pitch at Manchester City’s home game with Arsenal last week have attended Maine Road for the last time. The Blues have banned Karl Dixon and Kelly Mills, both of Glossop, for life. The pair appeared before magistrates on Wednesday charged with public order offences and were given twelve-month conditional discharges, but were banned from attending football grounds throughout England for three years. But it transpired that City had already written to the couple telling them that they won’t ever again be allowed to attend matches at the club’s home – although reports do not make clear whether the punishment will continue to apply once the Blues relocate to Eastlands in two years’ time.

Part III – Reserve Team News

reserves Notch Another Win: Manchester City’s first team may be enduring a disappointing season, but the same isn’t true of the club’s reserve side. And the Blues’ second string continued their good form on Wednesday evening. City took on Bradford at Hyde in an FA Premier Reserve League clash. And the Blues ran out comfortable 3-0 winners, with youngster Dixon Etuhu scoring twice. The other City goal came from Darren Huckerby, who was one of four players in the side with senior experience. Transfer-listed pair Richard Edghill and Terry Cooke were given another chance to put themselves in the shop window, while Kevin Horlock continued his comeback from his broken ankle by playing the full ninety minutes.

Part IV – Old Trafford Derby: Team News and Preview

Goater Looks for Winning Return: Shaun Goater has not played at Old Trafford since leaving Manchester United ten years ago without having figured in the senior side. So the Bermudian is hoping to make an impact when he returns with Manchester City on Saturday. The Reds gave Goater his chance in the English professional game, but the striker had to move on to Rotherham and then Bristol City to sample first-team action. After a slow start to the current campaign, the 31-year-old has now managed five goals in his last eight games – a sequence he ascribes to new training methods at Maine Road. “You don’t get as many chances [in the Premiership] and defences are certainly more athletic and stronger than in the Nationwide,” he told the official City website at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/. “That is something the club has looked at, so we have developed different training techniques with more emphasis on weight training. It is one thing which I have got better at and am certainly now ready to take my chances.”

Guessing Game Over Royle’s Selection: Joe Royle has not yet decided which players will take the field for Manchester City in the derby clash with neighbours United on Saturday. The Blues’ boss will pick from a squad of eighteen for the game. Royle is so far giving little away as to his thinking – though he does admit that Paul Dickov will come into contention. The Scot has missed the last two games through suspension but his enthusiastic attitude will ensure he at least makes the bench at Old Trafford. Elsewhere, Gerard Wiekens is likely to start after recovering from the injury which forced him to be substituted at Leicester last week, while Alfie Haaland may begin the game at right-back if the Blues omit Laurent Charvet. Shaun Goater and Paul Wanchope are likely to be paired again up front after both men scored in the win at Filbert Street.

MATCH REPORT – LEICESTER

Well, Sharon, you ain’t the only one to have a wedding anniversary at this time of year. Today’s my 20th (18.4.81) anniversary – we were away to Wolves the day we got wed and won 3-2 – in fact it was the week after the FA Cup semi against Ipswich! Still I digress – but I hope you had a good night out though! We plan to tonight!

On to the match. I actually had tickets in the home end for this game, having received four freebies from Leicester’s sponsors Walkers. Consequently we had to “dress down” for the occasion – namely no away shirts – although I must confess to wearing my newly bought silver shirt well hidden under my jumper! We were in the new stand in the top tier which caused one of our party some grief as she suffers badly from asthma. This, added to the fact that our supporters’ club coach was kept waiting over one hour by the police at the rendezvous point – absolutely disgraceful – consequently arriving at the ground at 2.30! Foul tempers all round! Once Edna had regained her breath, composure without murdering me for getting tickets so high up and I’d finished my pie (I was going to try the pork thingy which looked absolutely delicious but with my dodgy digestive system I erred on the side of relative safety) we settled down to watch the match.

Oh dear, I had forgotten how painful it could be to sit in the wrong end (thank God it wasn’t Millwall!). We had businessmen in front of us who hadn’t a clue about the game and, worst of all, three teenage girls all slapped up to the nines who were “Lily” Savage’s greatest fans. Cries of “oohh Robbie” could be heard all through the first half! One of them had a cackle which resembled an old crone! Me and Ed looked at each other and tried to control our laughter. Leicester got a corner (one of many) and the cry of “oohh if the ball gets onto Matty’s head he’ll score a goal!” Would you dare call Matt Elliott “Matty” to his face? Nah, me neither. More chuckling from me and Ed! Then the Goat struck… or should I rephrase that… the ball struck the back of the Goat’s shiny, lovable bonce and went past Flowers into the goal! Quiet mutterings of “Yes!” trickled from our four mouths accompanied by polite applause. Matty and Lily were still getting swooned over, I was mumbling the odd expletive under my breath and urging the boys on. Then Akinbiyi equalised. All were up around us, we sat and clapped politely saying how well taken the goal was whilst cursing silently.

Half time came and went with the only excitement being that Boro were stuffing Arsenal 2-0 – fix! The businessman who was sitting in front of me nearly had his coffee in his lap when I sat down (long legs I’m afraid!), so I apologised and tried to sit still till he’d finished it! Lily’s mates were cackling, squeaking and clapping for everything – they even thought the “You’re s**t AAARRRGGGHHH!” aimed at Carlo Nash was so hysterically funny that they nearly wet themselves every time. Ed was about to commit murder! Then our sanity was finally rescued when Paulo Wanchope did that weird and wonderful back heel into the net! This time our cries of “YES!” were somewhat louder and accompanied by backslapping! The teenagers from hell shut up! We must have looked a menacing quartet considering our party consisted of me, Maggie and Adrian who are all over 40 (aahh!) and Ed, bless her, who is 70 – between the four of us wouldn’t hurt a fly let alone beat up an opposition fan (possibly the odd Rag maybe…)! Anyway, peace was restored apart from the odd cry of “geddimoff” aimed at Gerry Taggart who did try his best to score for us! You don’t play for us any more Tags! Needless to say at the end of the game the three girls shifted PDQ, looking over their shoulders as the four of us wore rather large grins!

P.S. The one plus point was being able to sit down all through the game! I know people like to stand up but why does it only seem to be us and the Rags who persist in doing it? I am all for safe standing areas in grounds but I am beginning to personally get rather p***ed off at paying through the nose for a seat ticket and having to stand up all through the game (and I bet I ain’t the only one) – Everton was a prime example where I was seven rows from the front and still had to stand up to see the game! Come on folks, play fair!

WATCHING THE DERBY ON TV

In no particular order:

Milton Keynes OSC – Derby TV Viewing

The Milton Keynes branch will be meeting up as usual at the Halley’s Comet at Bradville, MK on Saturday for the 12:00 kick-off. If you’re in the MK area on Saturday why not come along? Give me a call if you’d like directions or any more details.

New York

New York Blues will be meeting at 630am at Nevada Smiths, 74 3rd Ave (phone 212 982 2591). The match is being shown and the bar will be open. This is the home of the Rags’ supporters club so a big turnout like the last derby would be great. any questions drop me an email at the address below.

Toronto

Calling all Greater Toronto Area Blues. We will be getting together at Web’s pub (Dundas St West, Mississauga, north side between Erin Mills Pkwy and Glen Erin) to watch City p**s on United’s championship chips this Saturday at 10am. Come and shout the lads on.

Stockholm

Stockholm Blues will gather for the game against U****d on Saturday at Big Ben Pub, Folkungagatan, Sodermalm. Game starts at 1pm but the pub is open from noon. The big screen in the cellar will be on. Be there!

Beverley, East Yorkshire

There should be a fair turnout of Blues in the Beaver, North Bar Within, near Saturday Market so if you’re in the area, why not come along and join us?

Unwanted Records I

Ed asked for the records that City are in contention for and may clinch by the end of the season. Here are some possible ones (*):

• Highest number of home games lost in all four divisions.
• Most goals conceded in the top division.
• Most consecutive movements between divisions.
• Highest number of different formations used throughout one season.
• Best season-ticket-waiting-list to league points ratio. Ever.
• Most freaky goals scored and conceded in one season.
• Best attendance for a relegated team in the all-seater era.
• Worst luck in the league.
• Lowest number of ‘manager out’ demands for a relegated Man City manager.
• Best managerial excuses for losing (will probably tie with Arsene Wenger).
• Most number of players brought in without making any impact whatsoever.
• Fewest prawn sandwiches consumed in executive boxes.
• Most occasions visiting managers have praised the fans because they can’t find anything good to say about the football.
• First team to win at Old Trafford in the league since Liverpool!

(*) though I’d absolutely love for all the ones involving relegation to be not true… remember Wembley ’99!

UNWANTED RECORDS II

This year could be a record in itself for the number of new records set. Sadly they are all in the “worst ever” category.

With four matches to play, two at home and two away, the situation is:

Least home wins – worst was 6. It’s 3 at the moment and the best we can hope for is 5.
Least wins – worst is 8. It’s 7 now with 4 to play.
Most home defeats – worst is 11 (from 23 games). It’s 11 already from only 17 games.
Least home goals for – worst is 21. It’s 18 now.
Least points 3 per win – worst is 24. We’ve got 12 with 6 to play for. The worst ever home points record is 13 from 14 matches in 1894 when it was 2 for a win so getting under that really shows what an appalling season it’s been.
Least points – worst is 38. It’s 30 now with 12 to play for.

Pretty depressing – I’m sorry I started looking. I’m off to listen to a Leonard Cohen LP to cheer myself up!

JOE vs. ALAN

Nigel Pickles (MCIVTA 701) posed the question was Alan Ball’s record in the Premier better than Joe Royle’s? Here’s the state of play after 34 games:

                Played  Points  Position
Royle             34      30       19
Ball              34      33       17

Can’t argue with the stats can you?

MAINE ROAD TWO

I urge people to e-mail Maine Road to protest at the life ban imposed on the two streakers at the Arsenal match. This seems very harsh for what turned out to be the best move of the game from a City point of view. The magistrates have already given them a 3 year ban (at least they won’t miss any City wins) which is punishment enough; imagine missing 3 years of silky skills and quality football (well, at least we can imagine!). Let’s get the ban overturned and they can be back at Maine Road for our assault on Europe.

Congratulations to the Mighty Reds on their stunning performance against Munich. Let’s hope they are in similar form in the derby.

No sign of a cover up here then?

TALE OF TWO CITIES

A win at last – I think a bit late judging by the other Bank Holiday results but who knows… a win at the Red mausoleum would give us a chance, after the freak result at Arsenal on Saturday – that couldn’t have been the same Arsenal that for 45 minutes last Wednesday looked on a “different planet”.

I’m sure that game will be well documented in, as yet unread MCIVTA’s so suffice to say we were well beaten by a superior team – that’s OK, it’s losing to the Villa, Spurs, Southampton brigade that rankles – just 5 points from those 3 games and, well if only etc. Best bit of Wednesday by far was the crowd reaction – as I’ve been critical of the whingers this season that second half sing-song with accompanying cabaret sent us home if not happy definitely not suicidal.

And so to Leicester. Following Wednesday a game against a team which had lost five or six consecutive games seemed tailor-made for a City flop. So we settled into the “Firkin” pub with the cap and flask Leicester RU fans, restrained for a near to football ground pub but after a long Friday night not altogether unwelcome.

What a change from Wednesday – even acknowledging Leicester are in free-fall – this spirited Leicester display gave City a deserved win with Nash, Haaland, Howey, Whitley and Wanchope getting I’d say 8/10. Apart from his unusual goal Wanchope defended well, making me wish we’d seen a few more games like that from him.

Vocal City crowd kept raucous throughout: 25 years… There’s only one Paulo… We’re going to win the league etc., and as on a few occasions this year you’re left ruing one good display that should have kick started us out of the mess we now find ourselves in.

Finally an apology to Brian (not a bad chap for one who comes from Stoke); following the Villa game we had a Manchester night out in lieu of a stopover at an away game. Usual format – curry after the game, back to town, quick change and out and about. Traversed Deansgate Loch and the only bar without a queue was Lock but couldn’t see the bar for bodies. As we were at the Deansgate end when asked to find a pub instead of a “posey bar”, where else, distance wise, can you go but Castlefields… Not the “White Lion” – wall-to-wall scum photos, some even signed! What a test of friendship that was!

Bear in mind, my friend, it was Nicki who wanted to go to “Prada”, which isn’t now called “Prada” that caused my demise… a braver man would have blamed the right person!

OPINION – FRAYED NERVES

Well, at least U***** won’t have the pleasure of putting us down.

Now I want everyone to join me in congratulating the Blues on getting us sat on the edge of our seats again at this stage of the season. Don’t you see, it’s a well rehearsed ploy on behalf of the team and management. They know we won’t win the title, so they give us something else to worry about. It’s deliberate but, JR & co., I think enough is enough. My nails are non-existent yet again and I think I have aged another ten years. Please call a halt to this end of season prank or I will be getting a telegram from the Queen next year!

An ever supportive Blue.

OPINION – JASON MCATEER

Please, oh please, oh please oh please Joe, don’t buy Jason “Macca” McAteer. I am a fervent loyal committed etc. Ireland fan. I would waive emotion even on relegation if it meant Ireland qualifying for the next World Cup. Enough with credentials; I have witnessed the career of the this, the worst right winger ever to don green. He had to fill the void left by the fantastic Ray Houghton (“conqueror of the English”), and was later dropped for the then-38 year-old winger. Others who have taken Macca’s place at various levels include Gary Kelly and Steve Finnan (both full-backs by nature), Kennedy, Kilbane and Duff (all left-wingers). We may have a gross imbalance at Maine Road of lefties to righties but we cannot afford to panic-buy. He would cost at least a couple of million and would be dropped within a few weeks. Look at what Celtic unearted in Didier Agathe… C’mon try harder, we deserve better than “Macca”.

ERNIE SIGN’S OFF FROM THE PREMIERSHIP

Manchester City have learned from the mistakes, even David Bernstein admits this. So as City fans are we not ready to forgive? Remember the saying “Let the person who has done no wrong cast the first stone”? Have we all done something wrong at one time or another? Who is perfect? As long as everyone connected to the club knows the mistakes made, we as fans should be ready to forgive. Maybe we came up too fast and did not take real stock of the players we had. I have said before we should have got our new players earlier. We can all come up with our reasons. It’s not all over yet, but we all know it looks bad. Next season whatever start the season with a team and the more they play together the better they will get, and the team spirit will be there. It’s so easy in hindsight isn’t it? For us to beat the Rags might be some kind of consolation to some fans; no it is not – let’s be realistic, the only consolation is survival!

This is my last letter for season 2000/2001 and all I can say is “Hi fellow supporters, let’s be forgiving”. Learn from our mistakes, do not let it happen again. If you let it happen again then let it be your head. Our young City fans deserve better (including us old fans).

Come on you Blues we still love you!

DERBY DAY SONGS

I am far more interested in City’s results and survival in the Premiership, and I was hoping for a United defeat following extra time, hoping they would be dispirited and knackered for Saturday.

However… if you have the luxury of not working Saturday and a ticket to visit the Swamp please initiate the following songs:

1. Glory Glory Bayern Munich… Glory Glory Bayern Munich.
2. We love you Bayern we do… We love you Bayern we do.
3. To the tune of “Everybody Wants to Rule The World” by Tears for Fears…
   
   Real did it last year
   Bayern did it this year
   Man United think they Rule the World

HARRY GODWIN – POSTSCRIPT

In reply to Mary Warr (MCIVTA 701),

I noticed your email in the MCIVTA newsletter and thought you may be interested to hear that there are a large number of Man City fans who do remember Harry and everything he achieved at the club. I don’t know how much you know about the Blues but I have written 4 books based on the club and in one – Manchester: The Greatest City – I wrote the following article about Harry:

Godwin’s Kids

Throughout the history of Manchester City there have been a number of unsung heroes whose contributions to the success of the club have been enormous. These people rarely hit the headlines and often their achievements are overlooked as the players, managers, and even directors gain the acclaim.

One such hero was City’s former Chief Scout, the popular Harry Godwin. In a Maine Road scouting career that lasted from 1950 until the mid-70s, ‘Uncle Harry’ helped to bring over 40 players from virtually nothing to first team football. He seemed to be able to spot promising youngsters with ease and, once caught, he was determined never to let the player escape and would use his powers of persuasion to convince both the youngster and his parents that City was the only club worth joining. His magic rarely failed.

Born in 1914, Godwin played amateur football at a decent level through to the 1940s then, in 1949, Wrexham manager Les McDowall asked him to scout on a part-time basis. He also scouted for Bury for a while. In June 1950 McDowall became City’s new manager and almost immediately asked Godwin to scout for the Blues. From then until officially 1974 but actually much later, Godwin searched for quality players to help bring City success.

In March 1965 he was offered his first permanent full-time contract, yet within days of his appointment manager George Poyser, who had succeeded McDowall, was dismissed. Doubt over the future direction of the club caused Godwin, and others, to consider the future but when new manager Joe Mercer arrived the future appeared safe, especially when the new man met Godwin, put his arm around him and said: “I’ve heard you’re good at nicking one or two youngsters. Nick a few for me, will you?”

Mercer made Godwin his Chief Scout, and boasted that Harry could: “get where castor oil couldn’t reach!” Under the new managerial partnership of Mercer and Allison no member of City’s backroom staff felt left out. It was a real team mentality, with everyone contributing. Mercer always stressed the importance of Godwin and his men.

Throughout the 50s, 60s, and 70s Godwin discoveries seemed to appear with regularity in City’s first team, and it proves much about his knowledge of the game that the Blues could boast so many home grown players. Not every young player had been first spotted by Godwin, but each one had to be assessed by him and it was usually his decision to follow up any interest.

The list of his finds is incredible and includes some of football’s most successful players. From memory a few significant Godwin discoveries are: Alan Oakes, Mike Doyle, Stan Bowles, Joe Corrigan, Willie Donachie, Tommy Booth, Tony Towers, Kenny Clements, Gary Owen, Paul Power, Ged Keegan, Tony Henry, Colin Barrett, Ian Mellor and Glyn Pardoe.

Even that list of great players doesn’t prove the full extent of Godwin’s enormous contribution.

Due to ill health, in 1974 he announced his retirement. It was a day that delighted Manchester United’s manager Tommy Docherty – at last he felt the Reds would get a chance at recruiting some decent youngsters! Despite his announcement he continued to be involved with the Blues and scouted on a part-time basis. He also became actively involved with City’s highly successful Junior Blues organisation where he became “Uncle Harry” to a new generation.

Writing in the mid-70s, Daily Express journalist Bill Fryer recognised Godwin’s desire to remain involved with the Blues and with his discoveries: “He retired as chief Scout in 1974 but is still to be seen around Maine Road helping whoever he can. He has a host of famous ‘nephews’. All have been flagrantly bribed by his bag of sweets, which he lobbed about with reckless abandon, and all are still coming back to him, like Oliver Twist, asking for more. Nobody knows Harry better than I do. Goodness, I must be the only one left who remembers the old so-and-so as a first class amateur player. I know he doesn’t say what he doesn’t mean. He’s dead honest.”

He continued his love affair with City and the Junior Blues throughout the 70s and 80s before passing away in September 1993. After his death a small plaque was erected in City’s family stand commemorating his contribution to the Junior Blues.

As football moves into the new millennium, the headline makers are usually the players, managers, directors, and agents. Little is said about the scouts and the backroom staff that develop the youngsters in the first place, yet football could not exist without men like Godwin. He dedicated much of his life to bringing the club quality players and as a result helped City achieve tremendous success. The team that won the League Cup in 1976 comprised of seven Godwin discoveries. No amount of money could have bought the quality he brought to the club.

I am sure you can see from that exactly how much Harry was appreciated. Within the book I did also include other mentions of Harry and a few photographs. I also mentioned him in my book on the great former City and England manager Joe Mercer, OBE Football With A Smile.

Anyway, I hope this is of interest.

RESULTS

Recent results to 18 April 2001 inclusive.

17 April 2001

Charlton Athletic     3 - 3  Aston Villa           20,043
Tottenham Hotspur     0 - 3  Chelsea               36,074

16 April 2001

Coventry City         1 - 0  Sunderland            20,946
Derby County          2 - 0  Leicester City        28,387
Everton               2 - 3  Liverpool             40,260
Middlesbrough         1 - 2  Ipswich Town          34,294
Newcastle United      2 - 1  West Ham United       51,107

League table to 18 April 2001 inclusive.

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  GD Pts
 1 Manchester Utd  33 15  1  1 48 10  8  6  2 26 14 23  7  3 74 24  50  76
 2 Arsenal         33 13  3  1 39 11  4  6  6 14 21 17  9  7 53 32  21  60
 3 Ipswich Town    34  9  5  3 27 14  9  0  8 24 24 18  5 11 51 38  13  59
 4 Leeds United    33  8  3  5 25 19  8  5  4 25 20 16  8  9 50 39  11  56
 5 Chelsea         33 12  3  2 42 18  3  6  7 20 20 15  9  9 62 38  24  54
 6 Liverpool       32 11  3  2 32 11  4  5  7 23 25 15  8  9 55 36  19  53
 7 Aston Villa     34  7  7  3 24 18  5  6  6 19 20 12 13  9 43 38   5  49
 8 Sunderland      34  8  6  3 20 13  5  4  8 19 23 13 10 11 39 36   3  49
 9 Charlton Ath.   34 10  5  2 29 14  2  5 10 16 35 12 10 12 45 49  -4  46
10 Tottenham H.    34 10  5  2 28 15  2  4 11 13 31 12  9 13 41 46  -5  45
11 Leicester City  34  9  4  4 24 18  4  2 11 10 24 13  6 15 34 42  -8  45
12 Southampton     32  9  2  5 22 18  3  6  7 12 22 12  8 12 34 40  -6  44
13 Newcastle Utd   32  8  2  5 21 16  4  4  9 17 29 12  6 14 38 45  -7  42
14 West Ham United 34  5  6  6 21 18  4  6  7 20 27  9 12 13 41 45  -4  39
15 Everton         34  5  7  5 25 24  5  1 11 14 26 10  8 16 39 50 -11  38
16 Derby County    34  8  6  3 21 21  1  5 11 13 33  9 11 14 34 54 -20  38
17 Middlesbrough   34  3  7  7 16 20  4  7  6 22 20  7 14 13 38 40  -2  35
18 Coventry City   34  4  6  7 14 21  4  3 10 20 35  8  9 17 34 56 -22  33
19 Manchester City 34  3  3 11 18 29  4  6  7 19 31  7  9 18 37 60 -23  30
20 Bradford City   32  3  6  7 17 26  1  3 12  8 33  4  9 19 25 59 -34  21

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Editor: