Newsletter #989

Oh what a night, not quite late December back in ’63 (or late May ’99) but a terrific comeback and game to be remembered for years to come. As happened for ‘that’ game in 99, we have a bumper issue tonight, hence Parts I and II.

The City news this week includes review and reactions on our two visits to the capital, the reserves’ win midweek, Anelka’s ban and the possible return of a former Blue.

We have plenty of match reports and views, thanks to those taking the time to get those in; Rob’s January Premiership stats, player views, Blue humour, the usual requests, and finally a Why Blue.

Get yourself a brew, settle down and read on.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Club Up For Ranson? The M.E.N. reports that Ray Ranson is anxious to become a club director, and in return will put £1 million into the club. Ranson played 235 games for the Blues in two spells (1978-1984, and again in 1992), including the 1981 FA Cup Final against Spurs. Since retiring from playing, Ranson has become a very rich man indeed, starting in the insurance business. He was recently in the financial columns for his developing of the “sale and lease back” arrangements in football adopted by various Premiership sides, notably Leeds United. He said this week: “I have spoken to Mr Wardle and to Dennis Tueart about various matters. I was in the same team as Dennis. City have always been close to my heart.” A spokesman for the club said: “We don’t want to comment on individual approaches. However, we have been looking for a number of months at ways of bringing new finance into the club. Anyone who comes forward with genuine and appropriate proposals will be seriously considered.”

No Wonder Mum’s Gone To… Iceland have been confirmed as the third nation in the Triangular tournament arranged as a pre-Euro 2004 warm up for the England team. The club website has confirmed the fixtures as:
Iceland vs. Japan Sunday, May 30th, 2004 Kick-off 12.00
England vs. Japan Tuesday, June 1st, 2004 Kick-off 20.00
England vs. Iceland Saturday, June 5th, 2004 Kick-off afternoon (tbc)
FA Chief Executive Mark Palios commented, “The City of Manchester Stadium is one of the finest new venues in the country and the perfect stage for this major tournament. We’re delighted to take the team back to Manchester, where they’ve traditionally enjoyed such phenomenal support.”

Profit and Lost: According to Manchester’s leading evening news journal, City have reported losses of £2.9 million for six months up to the end of November 2003. Chairman John Wardle remains confident that he will be able to announce a profit by the year-end. He said: “Our move to the new stadium has proven to be a great success. Attendances at league games have been exceptional and non-match day revenue streams are already significant. After a good start to the Premiership campaign, recent results have been disappointing. We must now pull together to ensure we retain our place in the Premiership.”

Simonet Says… A “Bring Back Nic” campaign seems to be gathering pace in France, where the national coach Jacques Santini is struggling to find enough quality forwards to take to Euro 2004. Auxerre’s Liverpool-bound Djibril Cisse had a five-match ban confirmed by UEFA last week. Cisse was going to be the deputy for Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet, and as we know, Le Elk and M. Santini are not on speaking terms at the moment. French FA supremo Claude Simonet feels the door should be open to Anelka to be welcomed back in to the French squad as it is time to forgive and forget. “You always have to measure what you say,” Simonet told television show Telefoot. “Perhaps Anelka’s young age prompted that torrent but we have to go beyond that and forget it.” However, Santini remains the key protagonist in the saga and it is believed he will not sanction Anelka’s recall until the hit-man publicly apologises. Prior to Sunday’s game, Arsene Wenger was asked for his opinion on Anelka’s international situation. He declared: “Nicolas has had a difficult relationship with Santini. But I’ve read that he’s now ready to listen. It looks to me that he regrets the fact that he has closed the door and he would now be ready to open talks with Santini. He’s a player of international quality and it’s important for him to get back in there as that’s where you play against the best players. If Santini feels Anelka is ready to open talks again, he will open the door to him and give him the possibility to do it.”

BWP Strikes: It’s now three wins on the trot for the Reserves, as a pair of first half Bradley Wright-Phillips goals saw City beat Wolves 2-0 at Ewen Field. ‘Keeper Kasper Schmeichel was stretchered off in the dying minurtes of the game, prompting fears of a cartilage injury. If confired, Schmeichel Junior could be out of action for up to six weeks. Team: Schmeichel (Matthewson 89), Flood, Collins, N D’Laryea, Onuoha, Bischoff, Croft, Whelan, Elliott, B Wright-Phillips (Ireland 75), Tandy. Subs: Murphy, Warrender, Laird.

Transfer News and Gossip

Exploding Danny Arrives: He’s a slippery eel, that KK isn’t he? At the start of the January transfer window, the Big Boss clearly stated that there were no funds available for transfers. Two weeks later, two new goalkeepers were in situ at the club. I won’t be bringing any defenders in, thus spake the manager only last week. So… this week City brought in Belgian international centre half Daniel van Buyten on loan from Marseille until the end of the season. David Sommeil has made the reverse journey, also on a season-long loan (credit here goes to contributor James Welsh, who alerted us to City’s interest in Big Danny back in MCIVTA 969). “In our present situation, with the way we are playing and the goals we are conceding, we needed a fresh face in there,” explained KK. “This was one of the few ways in which an opportunity came up to do it. The transfer market is very quiet. I haven’t got any money to spend, so we tried to do a deal that is sensible for the club and gives us some benefits on the playing field. It’s a loan deal until the end of the season and if we like Daniel and they like David, then something can happen. I think there is a willingness from both clubs to make it happen. We have looked at Daniel for two years now. He is a big, strong lad, 6ft 3ins tall, and a full international with a lot of experience. He went to Marseille for 11 million euros, which is a huge transfer fee for a defender. We have looked at him for some time and I think the Premiership will suit him. Obviously, David Sommeil has been a big success in France with Bordeaux already. Moving back to Marseille is a big move for him and looking at the whole situation it is very good for both clubs. We have got to pay a fee at the end of the loan deal because Daniel cost more than David did.” Van Buyten was quoted as saying: “I am satisfied to be joining Manchester City. Now, I am really eager to play against the great teams of the English league” (surely for one of the great teams, Dan? No? Oh well…). “I would have wanted a different departure from Marseille,” he continued. “But Manchester City have given me an excellent opportunity and Kevin Keegan has a lot of faith in me. In this club I want to explode and really adapt to the Premier League.” While conceding that it was possible that he could return to Marseille in the summer, van Buyten added: “I regard that as very unlikely.” Irrelevant van Buyten trivia: his father was a professional wrestler, apparently.

Ex-Blues News

Kinky for Free: The M.E.N. reports that Gio Kinkladze’s trial at Leeds has been cancelled by the club. Earlier in the week Kinky had offered his services to the club for free. He told the Mirror: “I want to help Leeds and I’m even willing to play for free. They don’t have to give me a penny now, but if I can save Leeds then maybe we can agree that they will give me £250,000. Going into the First Division would cost them £20 million, so in those terms a quarter of a million is not that much. The important thing for me is that money is not my motive, football is my motive. I want to save Leeds from relegation and they don’t deserve to be where they are just now. I thank Eddie Gray for giving me this chance and now I want him to give me the opportunity to get Leeds out of this mess.” Oh dear…

Reactions and Comments

Foul Play Suspected: City’s new 4-5-1 formation nearly brought the Blues a hard earned point at Highbury last Sunday, but a number of controversial incidents marred a well contested game that was eventually settled by a world class strike by Thierry Henry. KK commented: “We had a plan and it worked pretty well. You can’t do anything about Henry’s goal when it gets to that stage but maybe we could have done something before then.” City felt Anelka had been fouled by Gilberto Silva in the build-up to Arsenal’s first strike, an own goal by Michael Tarnat from Henry’s cross. Robbie Fowler later appeared to have been tripped by Sol Campbell before Henry struck a superb 20-yard drive to make it 2-0. “I feel a bit aggrieved. I just felt that the decisions went against us,” insisted Keegan. “I’d like to have seen a couple of these decisions if they’d been the other way around. Then we could have been looking at a different result. Arsenal are a great side and we couldn’t have done anything about Henry’s goal. But I don’t think that the referee had a good night. I like the referee, I get on very well with most of them and don’t criticise them publicly but you have to answer questions honestly. I think Alan Wiley is a very good referee. But I am very disappointed in him he has had a very bad night at Highbury,” said the City manager. “What summed it up for me was Shaun Wright-Phillips who ran down the right flank and got fouled four times. Everyone knew it. The referee stopped the game but gave a throw in. That summed it for me. It is very difficult to criticise referees and I don’t think you will find in all the years that I have been in the game that I have been critical. Tonight I think I have every right to be. When he looks back at the tape of this game and he sees the incidents that mattered he will realise he did not get them all right and may have got more wrong than right.” Arsene Wenger was quick to dismiss KK’s complaints, saying: “We should not have to apologise. If we have to kneel down and apologise after every push and shove then we would never score a goal. The referee saw the whole incident and made his decision. What else can I say?”

Gooner Get Ya: Controversy also dogged the third goal of the match, City’s consolation effort by Nicolas Anelka. In attempting to retrieve the ball from the grasp of Arsenal’s Ashley Cole, Le Elk became involved in a fracas with the full-back, which saw Anelka sent off while Cole escaped with just a yellow card. KK, as you might guess, was not amused by the decision. “Nicolas felt that he was elbowed. You will never see him react to anything, so whatever Ashley Cole did obviously annoyed him. It probably looked like Nicolas was the aggressor but, nine times out of 10, the people who start it get off scot-free. I don’t think football has ever been any different to that. I’ve never seen Nicolas retaliate before,” he added. “He’s been kicked, hacked and had some severe punishment from defenders, so something happened there which got him angry. It was an unbelievable decision. I respect the referee but he seemed to have a blind spot today. Nicolas felt that he was elbowed. Anyone who knows Nicolas knows that he does not retaliate. It was a very poor refereeing performance.” He revealed the club wouldn’t be appealing against the three match ban (although this changed later): “Will we be appealing? No, it’s a waste of time. The real whammy for us is that Nicolas misses three games and he is a very important player for us. So that is a real blow.” Mr. Wenger’s verdict? “I have not seen the replay,” he said. “Ashley tried to get the ball and there was a lot of pushing and shoving. The referee was close and he made a decision and I don’t think there is anything else to say. The referee was in a good position. He saw the complete incident and has made his decision. We have seen incidents like that before in football.” Cole defended Anelka when he said: “We should have been given the same punishment. I felt for Nicolas. I went to get the ball out of the goal and kick it back. They wanted to get the ball early. He shouldn’t have done what he did but I don’t think he should have got the red card, to be honest. It should have been both of us off or just a yellow card.”

World Class: Believe it or not, there was also some exciting play on show at Highbury on Sunday. One thing that both managers agreed on, for instance, was the quality of Henry’s 20-yard strike. “It was world class,” said Keegan. “Even as the opposing manager, if you don’t have a bit of enjoyment in goals like that, you shouldn’t be in football.” Wenger mused that “It was a tough game and we played well. They are usually focused on attacking so it was surprising that they tried to defend and stop us. We needed to give everything to win and we fought to the last minute. The conditions were hard in the second half as the water stayed on the pitch and made it hard to play and we had to fight and give everything to win.” Much of Sunday’s pre-match press coverage concerned Spanish Boy Wonder Jose Reyes, who was given the final 20 minutes of the game to make his début. “What he did, he did well,” added the Frenchman. “He created a chance and had one chance and the 20 minutes were positive. It is a new atmosphere and a new physical test for him. He was surprised by the cold and he knows it will take a little time to adapt.” Sky TV made Ray Parlour Man of the Match. “You always have to try not to give up and that is why I am always trying,” said Ray Parlour. “It was a tough game. We know that when teams come here a lot of them play five in midfield. We got the goal in the first half to settle us down and then Thierry scored. It was quite difficult out there, it got really muddy. It was like a Sunday morning game when I was 10.”

Appealing Anelka: Two days after Kevin Keegan said “What’s the point,” it was reported that City would be appealing against Nicolas Anelka’s red card. The FA’s website informed us on Tuesday: “We can confirm that the FA today received a claim for wrongful dismissal from Manchester City on behalf of Nicolas Anelka, following his sending off at Highbury on Sunday. This claim will now be sent to the video advisory panel for their consideration.” Today (Thursday) the FA announced that the appeal had been unsuccessful. It would have been interesting to hear the grounds of City’s appeal, as Anelka clearly put his hands on Cole’s head during the incident.

Best Comeback Since Bobby Ewing: It’s nice sometimes to be reminded why we endure the pain of being City fans, and last night’s show at Tottenham provided it. A dire first half performance saw the Blues trail by three goals to Spurs, down to 10 men after Joey Barton’s dismissal (achieved after the half-time whistle had blown – nice one Joe), and after Nicolas Anelka had already been substituted due to injury. Somehow the ten men staged the fightback of all fightbacks, and goals from Sylvain Distin, Paul Bosvelt, SWP and Jon Macken gave City the tie. “In the dressing room at the interval I told the lads that we’d be playing for pride and that I’d be praying for a miracle,” said KK. “It was an incredible comeback and they’ll talk about this game long after I’ve gone. I’ve never known a Cup tie like it. Maybe miracle is too strong a word but it was a triumph over adversity and the Cup tie of my lifetime. My players found something extra within themselves in the second half and that might be the turning point in our season. Our supporters played a big part. They dragged us back into the game. Our first-half performance was so poor that I joked to Derek Fazackerley: ‘Where’s the nearest job centre?’ I can’t really explain the second half. We didn’t have anything going for us when we went back out on the pitch. But if we could play like that regularly no-one would beat us.” Special K thanked the City fans for their encouragement throughout the match. “I think the supporters more than anyone at White Hart Lane on Wednesday night deserved this win,” he said. “We were three nil down and it could only be Manchester City fans. Other fans would probably have been chanting for my head and who could have blamed them. But our fans just kept singing the songs and I think they coaxed us back into it. Their pride spread to us on the pitch. I am really pleased for them.” Joey Barton was sent off for dissent when he received a second yellow card for something he said to referee Rob Styles after the half-time whistle had gone, and Keegan backed the official and said he would take action against his young player. “I believe the referee,” said Keegan. “Joey Barton has been terrific for me but I asked the referee what happened and he said: ‘He verbally abused me, I told him he had already got a yellow card and if he carried on I would give him another one but he came back and said something else’. He didn’t tell me what he said but I accept that from the referee, he is an honest lad and has no reason to lie to me. I am disappointed with that and we’ll handle it internally. We’ll sit down but that will be between Joey and me.”

Arni Helps Terminate Spurs: The pundits felt that the double save by City’s latest goalkeeper Arni Arason was a turning point in the game. “Arni was great for us. What a baptism of fire for him. He didn’t have much chance with the goals and didn’t have much protection either,” remarked Kevin Keegan. “We didn’t really create much and when we did we didn’t finish it. Then he made that double save. If anything you look back at that moment and think that those saves were the turning point so we have to say, ‘well done to him.'” It was quite a début for the Icelandic international. “The first half was a nightmare,” said Arason. “I wanted to keep a clean sheet, but the second half was amazing. The comeback was unbelievable.” On his stop to keep out Gus Poyet’s goal-bound header, he said: “Luckily I got to the ball and it was an important save. I had a shoulder operation, so this was my first match for two months and I am very pleased to have come through. It was a once-in-a-lifetime game. To be 3-0 down and with 10 men to then win 4-3 is unbelievable.” The TV cameras caught City’s latest signing Daniel van Buyten enjoying the spectacle from the bench. “Daniel was watching the match with us and he asked if all the games were like this. I told him that they were but that this one was one of the more boring ones. Usually, I told him, the games are more exciting than this one had been!”

I Believe in Miracles: KK paid tribute to the Man of the Match Shaun Wright-Phillips: “He’s a little pocket dynamo with his stepfather’s enthusiasm for the game. He did the job of two men,” said the City manager. Wright-Phillips said afterwards: “We went for it with our hearts, for the club and for the fans and just happened to pull it off. The gaffer said `it might take a miracle to do it’ – but we believed in ourselves. We’ve been flying for a while but haven’t been getting the luck – hopefully this will turn it round for us.” Having missed a good chance to win the tie at the COMS, Jon Macken took particular delight in scoring the fourth and decisive goal. Macken had entered the fray as a first half substitute for Nicolas Anelka, and Macken said later: “It’s hard on Nicolas because he went off with a groin injury and we’ll have to see how he is. The manager asked us to show some pride in the second half and, as we started to score the goals to get back into it, you just wondered if it was going to be our night. Fortunately I was able to score the winner late on and it turned out to be a great win for us.”

Pleat’s Red Light in the FA Cup: Spurs manager David Pleat was predictably shell-shocked. But after a game like that – frankly, who cares?

Squad News

Mensa Candidate: David James showed what a bright lad he is by admitting that he was unaware of the club’s poor form when he signed from West Ham. “I didn’t realise what position City were in. I was surprised to be honest,” James told BBC One’s Football Focus. “But having been here, and having seen what the team has got, I don’t think relegation battles will be the issue.” James believes that the defence is essentially in good shape. He said: “The defence against Blackburn were a hell of a lot better than the 32 goals conceded would have suggested before the game. I felt confident, I didn’t have a lot to do. So it’s just a case of getting that first win, then we can go on a decent run.”

Terrible Twins: KK’s two favourite City strikers have been talking about their lot this week. Nicolas Anelka has thanked the fans for the support they have given during the winless League run. “I was told before I came here that the City fans were something else and that they were crazy about their team and they have proved that,” said the twenty-four-year old. “I am not surprised by their loyalty and their passion. At other clubs the team would probably have been criticised for such a run as ours. But I think City fans know what they are watching and understand that we are not playing so badly. I am very happy with their backing of me and of the team. I am surprised that we are not doing better with the players we have here but we have been an unlucky team this season. Every time we score first we concede a goal. It is not like we do not play well and that other teams have been outplaying us. We may be lose concentration too much and concede a goal.” He is also encouraged by his work on field with Robbie Fowler. “We are improving as a partnership,” Anelka said. “Robbie feels better now and things are improving with every game. That is good for him and me. Robbie was in and out of the side but now he is in regularly and that helps. He is one of the best strikers there has been in the Premiership. He has something like 180 or 190 goals, which is a great record. He knew he could get back to his best and it is great for Manchester City that he is doing it.” Toxteth’s finest, meanwhile, has said he sought guidance from his old Liverpool Ian Rush during the difficult early days with the Blues. “I spoke to Rushie quite a lot,” said the Liverpudlian. “I always listen to what he says and he still takes time out from his day to leave messages for me and that means a lot because he is an absolute legend. I was trying things I wouldn’t normally do on a pitch and because I was having a bad time, I’d try them even more but no matter what I did, it would all just backfire. Nothing seemed to go right for me and I could sense one or two of the fans were getting a little annoyed. I could understand their frustrations because I was brought to score goals and I simply wasn’t delivering. Even though Liverpool is only 30 miles away, I found it quite hard to settle. It took me 12 months to win the fans over but hopefully I have done that now.”

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’ I: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

It was because of an unfortunate accident on the railway at Balham that the train was delayed by 45 minutes coming into Victoria. My daughter and I ran through the station, dived onto the tube and were at Seven Sisters at around 19.35. We got to the ground at around 19.55, and after getting the tickets, we dashed in. 1-0 Spurs. What had Keegan said about starting brightly? We nearly got to our seats and it was 2-0. Good grief. As we sat down and wiped the sweat from our brows, Anelka wandered off with a groin strain, to be replaced by Macken. The game was passing City by, with every Tottenham player on a roll. Then Joey Barton fouls Brown, gets a booking and Ziege puts the ball right where Arni can’t get to it. 3-0. I was wondering why I came, then thought well, I didn’t pay for it, it was a birthday present from my daughter. So, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse, we come out with only 10 men for the 2nd half. I asked around and was told that Barton had opened his mouth too far and had been booked, and then sent off because of the earlier yellow. Keegan looked so down you could see it on the screens they had in the ground. Yet when the players were warming up for the 2nd half you could see them giving each other handshakes/manly hugs as if to say “come on!”.

So the half got underway – we get a free kick well within Tarnat’s (shooooot!) range, he runs up to blast it, then huh? A chip, Distin’s going to get there, yes! 3-1. My daughter said to me do I think the score’s going to stay the same. No way, I said, there’s plenty more goals in this game yet. Then Spurs won a free kick right in Ziege’s spot again. He shoots for the same place again. This time Arni pulls off a flying save, tipping the ball onto the bar and down onto Poyet’s head. I thought it was in but Arni was up and across the goal like a bullet to stop the ball right on the line. What a save! Even watching it on the screen after the event I still thought it was going in! That save seemed to take the fight out of Spurs, and Bosvelt took advantage with a wickedly deflected shot that wrong footed Keller. 3-2. 69 minutes gone, loads of time left! The game seemed to even out over the next ten minutes, with Spurs having one really good shot again saved well by Arni. Then the ball gets fed to Wright-Phillips, who carries it forward, then a subtle chip into the far corner of the net. Yes 3-3! With 10 men! Keegan immediately subbed Bosvelt and Sinclair for McManaman and Sibierski. The next 10 minutes went by, with a couple of bookings for City players, the screens say 2 minutes additional time, and then Tarnat breaks down the left, crosses the ball to Macken, who plants the ball home with his head. Wahooo! 3-4 what a comeback, what delight Keegan is showing now as he directs the players over to the City away contingent, and what a strange and weird thing to happen on your birthday. Excellent.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’ II: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

Mike, my son, and I were there!

The best game since the 1999 play-off.

I was gutted at half time. I was in the Gents when someone came in and told us that Barton had been sent off. 3-0 and down to 10 men. Oh well I thought; Mike and I are having a dad and son night out, let’s make the best of it. After all it’s what we’ve come to expect from dear old City.

City came out first to start the 2nd half. What could KK have said to them? “Play for the club”; Ha, that doesn’t seem to wash with these players. Their heads were down as they waited for the Spurs to take to the field. Then I saw Distin shaking his fist and saying “come onnnn” He must have felt something in his water, or perhaps he is on something, because he still believed that we could do it!

When the 2nd half kicked off the team were up for it. The mood spread to the fans, who in typical City fashion, started singing ‘So now you’ve got to believe us, so now you’ve got to believe us, so now you’ve got to believe ussss, We’re going to win the cup’. 3-0 down and 10 men; only City fans could sing like this. It was humour at first, but the mood changed to one of hope as Distin, playing like a captain at last, headed in from Tarnat’s free kick. Suddenly the songs changed to ‘Come on City’ and everyone began to believe that the impossible might, might, might, just happen.

We really felt it might happen when Bosvelt scored the 2nd and there was still 29 minutes left to play. By this time the fans were going wild, cheering and clapping every move. The players seemed to feed off the fans, and the fans fed from the players.

With 15 minutes to play I said to Mike that we really needed to score twice. I could not see City surviving 30 minutes of extra time. They were just digging so deep and giving everything that they had.

10 minutes left and here comes Shaun Wright Phillips. He’d been on fire all night. Better than an England performance, this was World Class stuff. Jinking in, turning out, switch, turn, stop, run, 9 iron wedge shot and it’s a GOALLLLLLLLLLLLL. Cue total madness in the City stand. 3-3 and we’re back in the cup. Shaun WP is going bonkers by the corner flag and the players are acting like we’ve won it. All except for Macca, who shows leadership, running around the players and calming them down.

The announcement is made that there will be 2 minutes of added time. Well that’s it then, it’s going into extra time, 30 minutes to hang on for penalties, but wait a minute, here comes Shaun again, this time it’s crossed out to the left. A last fling effort saw the ball float into the box, up goes Macken, heads it in, and it’s pandemonium on the pitch and in the stands. 3-4 and City have made a sensational comeback.

As the final whistle blew, the players came to celebrate at the City end. A celebration that last a good five minutes. You would have thought we had won the blooming cup. For us fans and players, it felt even better.

We have been through so much over the past few seasons, and we really needed this.

“We’ve only got 10 men” sang the crowd, and “We Love You City”.

It wasn’t quite so good as the 2nd Division play-off final, but it came pretty close.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ I: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

3 DOWN 4 ACROSS

What a night this was. I have never been more depressed than after this first half. City were down 3-0, Anelka had limped off injured and Barton got a red card on his way off the pitch. Spurs scored three great goals. Twice in the top corner, and the third was a one-on-one with the ‘keeper. It was nothing débutant Arni Gautir Arason in the City goal could do – this was beyond Schmeichel. I was sure this meant the end of Keegan’s reign at City. This abysmal performance was going to be the final toll to his City run – I was certain of it. Luckily I was wrong.

What Keegan said to the team at half time we will probably only know reading the players’ autobiographies. It must have been a tough talk! And it must have been the talk of a manager that was still keen on his job, still anxious to see his team perform well. The lads came on and gave him the answer nobody expected. Down to 10 men, City created the chances, played the socks off their opponents and started to score goals. The commentators could hardly believe their eyes. What was happening?

Just from the kick-off it seemed, City grabbed one back when Distin flew into the area and headed the ball beyond Keller to bring some pride back into the blue shirts of Manchester. But it didn’t stop there. Keller only managed to rescue his team by sitting on the ball 2 minutes later when Macken fired in following a nice back-heel from Bosvelt.

After 55 minutes it was Arason’s time to show his worth. Another free-kick from Ziege found the top-corner. Arason managed to flick the ball against the crossbar. It fell to Poyet who with a twist managed to nod the ball towards the unguarded net. Arason got on his feet in a flash and saved the ball just as it was going over the line. An incredible double save by the Islandic international.

The luck didn’t run out for City. Only 6 minutes after Arason’s stunning double save Fowler’s attempt on goal was cleared into the path of Bosvelt. The Dutch master had taken charge of the midfield, filling two positions after Barton’s departure. This time he was inside the Spurs 18 yard box, fired a shot that took a terrible deflection off King and beat Keller for the second City-goal. 2-3!

Then old City-boy Michael Brown instructed a booking on Bosvelt. The same Brown was also in the frame when Barton was booked in the first half. None of the offenses were malicious, but Brown has his way of falling, and the ref. bought it tonight. Bosvelt managed to escape where Barton showed his inexperience, he didn’t care to argue the ref’s decision.

Along came the closing minutes. Spurs looked dangerous on the break. You could almost sense Keane make a dummy out of Dunne. But tonight Distin was at his prime, he was hunting high and low. Tarnat on the left showed what Sun lacks on the right: the German is a powerful tackler when he puts his mind to it. And at the back we had Arason. Look out James, the Islandic “sisu” is not to be taken lightly.

10 minutes to go. Wright-Phillips had created havoc on his right flank throughout the second half. Sinclair on the left matched it with his greatest performance in the blue jersey so far. But it was SWP that brought the Blues off their feet. He beat the offside trap, managed to slip the ball past Keller and into the empty net. 3-3 – what a comeback by the Blues!

The game was heading for extra time. Surely Spurs would get their revenge and grab it in the extended period? The City midfield must be knackered by now, even though McManaman and Sibierski came on at the end. The clock showed 91 minutes, Tarnat crossed in from the left for the last chance. Gardner, the tallest defender in the Premiership, misjudged his jump and Keller could only watch as Jonathan Macken nodded the ball calmly into the bottom corner for a stunning 4-3 goal for City!

It was all over. The biggest Blue Moon ever was pounding over London tonight. And what a night it was. Or as one commentator said: “This is quite possibly the most incredible match I have ever seen!”

Note to Kevin: Don’t be hard on Joey. We need this hard working dog in the midfield battles to come.

Note to Joey: You almost cost us Keegan – Think of that the next time you to**er!

City Line-up:
Arni G. Arason; Jihai Sun, Richard Dunne, Sylvain Distin, Michael Tarnat; Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joey Barton, Paul Bosvelt (Antoine Sibierski), Trevor Sinclair (Steve McManaman); Nicholas Anelka (Jonathan Macken), Robbie Fowler.

Note to the crossword puzzle header: At half time I started to fill out a crossword I found in a magazine. Surely you must all know the feeling that if you just continue doing whatever you are doing things will go your way. Needless to say I continued to fill out the crossword all through the second half, and I’m confident that City would not have won if I had stopped before the end.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ II: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

Live J-SkySports; Tokyo Japan

Having forced myself to stay up to 3:00am on Monday morning to watch the defeat against The Arse, it was always going to be a struggle to rise at 4:45am to watch the full FA Cup replay against Spurs. However, “spurred-on” by the decent performance against the league leaders (let’s be honest, before the game I thought it could have been a lot worse, and the display of passion and togetherness after the Elk was sent off was great to see), I managed to get up for the second half.

I was expecting to be 1-0 or perhaps 2-1 down (positive thinking seems to have deserted me over recent weeks somehow), but 3-0 and 10-men. I nearly went straight back to bed! A form of “gallows humour” made me stay up and watch the rest. And what an unbelievable result – other teams can do this sort of thing from time-to-time, but not City surely (OK, Division 2 play-off final was almost as good). At last we have revenge for 1981.

Some comments on the players, just based on the 2nd half.

Arni – some great saves that our previous No. 1 would not have made (8)
Tarnat – too many long balls (pointless) but a great chip for our first goal (7)
Distin – Looked great going forward, but not too worried about the gaps he was leaving at the back (7)
Dunne – Looked fairly solid and showed no mercy. I still worry about his QE2 like turning circle (6)
Sun – Good going forward, but his bodychecking and diving in will get him red carded soon (7)
Sweep – Fantastic going forward and always troubling defenders – one great saving tackle in the box near the end (makes me nervous still!) plus of course a lovely goal MoM (9)
Sinclair – I think that he must have lost his once famous pace as he refuses to take players on. Good workrate though (6)
Bosvelt – In the action and solid – nice deflected goal! (6)
Fowler – Looking better and somewhat sharper – would score a hatful, if he suddenly clicked (6)
Macken – Good performance and great winning goal that led to me waking the rest of the house up (7)
Subs – didn’t do much.

Bring on United!

Oh and King Kev, if you read this, keep going and don’t give up on us. You’re the best manager we have had for a long time and there is no one out there that would do a better job.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ III: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

Well, what a game!

The last time I contributed to McV I predicted a 3-1 victory to City against United in the last derby at Maine Road. “Unfortunately” I said an Anelka hat trick, but at least the score was correct!

At half time, I said to my mate Dave, who being a Tottenham fan was gloating, that the game would go one of three ways. This would either be 10-0 to Spurs, a boring 3-0 finish, OR this would be the greatest comeback of all time!

Fortunately for me, having cast three predictions and covered all possibilities, the latter was the correct one!

First half: Having been at the Carling Cup game, I expected to concede early, and we did in true City style. Dunne, with more than enough time to clear safely, squares the ball to King, who turns Tarnat easily and finishes superbly! Keane is played through, shakes off three defenders and finishes cutely – 2-0, Anelka has an injury and this game is all over isn’t it? Awesome free kick for the third leaves City with a mountain to climb, and with a frustrated, fired-up Barton booked, looks unlikely we’ll finish the game with ten men! Game over surely?!

Half time: Jump up to grab beers, and being out in the garage I hear Dave shouting ‘Barton’s just been sent off’, think he’s winding me up, but alas no, Barton’s ‘aggressive’ stroll to the ref sees him sent off! Said to the old man after the game, I’m avoiding the boss tomorrow, incase my walk is too ‘aggressive’ and I get my P-45! Game over for sure!

Second half: Just enough time to settle after a toilet break… a clever free kick by Tarnat, and poor marking, sees Distin power in a header to make it 3-1! Dave makes a joke about City consolation goal!

Then after Arason’s superb double save from the free kick, the ball breaks to Bosvelt and a fortunate deflection sees the ball float in to make it 3-2! Dave says lucky goal, but is clearly disturbed about his team’s lack of presence in the second half!

Another Spurs chance goes begging, a beautiful pass and a blind linesman sees Sweep race through (payback for Sun’s clear penalty in the first half), a very cute and clever shot later, it’s 3-3! Dave is now physically sweating, very quiet, and luckily the beer bottles and plates I knocked off the table whilst jumping around, all survived!

Well now I find myself sweating! 3-0 down, to 3-3! Surely we won’t win this one, we never win these days, it’s going to end 4-3 to Spurs, and it’s going to be a naff goal that ruins this one! But hey, we were 3-0 down, now we’re level, hearts are in throats, and with extra time looming and only ten men, we have to go for it!

Step up Macken. Putting his appalling miss in the first tie behind him, Sweep and Sun work hard down the right and the ball breaks to Sibierski, I scream ‘SHOOT’, luckily he couldn’t hear me, he knows better than that and decides to get tackled, ball breaks to Tarnat, sweet first time cross, Macken with an immense header to make it 4-3 and send us all into absolute delirium. The likes of which I haven’t witnessed since Wembley (was lucky enough to be at that game), just look at Sun’s face, he clearly can’t comprehend quite how we’ve turned this round!

Two minutes injury time to go, we see this out and we’re off to the Swamp. Surely something will go wrong? No! The ten men see out to the final whistle, 4-3, I don’t know what to do, does anybody else? I decide to pace up and down the living room about a hundred times, speak to dad; he can’t talk properly either, mum gets on the phone and says ‘At half time your dad was so annoyed and wasn’t being too friendly so I went upstairs and made a couple of phone calls, next thing I know he’s screaming City won and everything is ok!’, phone every Spurs fan I know, get answer phone every time, so drink all the beer in sight! What a game! By the way, Dave, my lift home, has driven off, cursing, leaving me to find alternative transport!

Unfortunately on a Wednesday night in Hemel Hempstead there aren’t many City fans (that I know of, if you’re there let me know – would love to meet you!), so I was left to celebrate on my own, with another few beers and MOTD! For those that missed it, Keegan was buoyed up and making rubbish jokes about the ‘nearest job center’! Pleat comes on and having blasted the Spurs players says ‘This just goes to show what an unpredictable game football is’, to which the interviewer responded ‘That’s the understatement of the year!’

Good night all, I’m buzzing so much I know I won’t sleep much tonight! Here’s looking forward to the visit of Birmingham!

How does the chant go? 3-0 down, 4-3 up, City’s going to win the cup.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ IV: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

The following is a diary of my most heart-stopping evening since City did the business against Gillingham at Wembley.

6.45pm – get home from work. War Office is in, makes me something to eat. Enquires as to my plans for the evening. Advise her that City is on telly, she mumbles something about watching some soap or other in another room. Grand.
7.30 – switch on telly, glad to see Niall Quinn on panel, wonder what Witch-finder General Glenn Hoddle is doing there. I thought that all panel members were supposed to know something about football.
7.45 – match starts, City play well for a minute or so.
7.47 – Spurs score. F@*k! Wife hears from other room. Tells me she has better things to do than listen to bad language and heads out to see her mother. No problem. City still playing well. Get beer from fridge and wait for City to equalise.
7.50 – Sun Jihai is hauled down in the penalty area by Keller, but of course the ref misses it. Another typical piece of City luck. Is this an omen, you bet it is!
8.04 – Keane flicks over Arason. B@ll%x! I’m getting just a teensy bit upset. Hate to admit it, but both Spurs goals were top class. Still, if we get one back before half-time, we might just get a result. Get another beer and keep hoping. City still playing well.
8.17 – disaster! Anelka limps off. Can it get any worse? Of course it can, this, after all, is City!
8.27 – what in the name of Jaysus is wrong with Barton? Such a stupid foul, in front of goal.
8.28 – the b*ggers score again! What is wrong with City? What is wrong with the world? What did I do to deserve this? Think briefly of the sort of answer the Witch-finder General might give to that last question, dismiss the thought from my mind, and head for the fridge.
8.32 – half time. Have a smoke in the kitchen with the back door open (she is not called the War Office for nothing). Listen to football panel. Everybody feels sorry for KK, and says what a wonderful team Spurs are. Somebody comments that City will need a miracle to equal the ’81 replay score of 3-2. Decide I’ve had enough. Make a neat pile of all City memorabilia on kitchen floor, including all the stuff I spent a fortune on after the Liverpool game. Decide to give the War Office a real excuse to complain about smoking in the house (it’s pouring rain outside)! Am about to sprinkle “3-in-1” oil liberally over the lot when doorbell rings. Eldest son is paying an unexpected visit to house. Looks at the oil and un-ignited bonfire. “You’ll be sorreeeeeee”, he sings. I disagree, but use my lighter anyway (for another smoke). Armed with more beer, we settle down for the second half. Bonfire can wait till match is over.
8.46 – realise that City is down to 10 men, due to that idiot Barton (who else?). Head to kitchen to start bonfire, but wrestled to the ground by eldest son and dragged back to telly (he is bigger than me). Make mental note to disinherit him.
8.48 – Distin scores! First useful thing I have ever seen the Frenchman do. Begin to think that we might escape from this nightmare with some dignity, but have no chance of a result.
9.01 – Bosvelt plays an in-off via Gardner! Bl**dy hell! Begin to think that if we keep a clean sheet, an equaliser is not out of the question, then wake up. City keep a clean sheet? This season? This defence? In your dreams, mate.
9.18 – Arason makes incredible double save, genuinely world class, think of Gordon Banks vs. Pele, but our Arni’s was better. Clean sheet is now definitely on, maybe even an equaliser!
9.20 – Fowler puts Wright-Phillips through, SWP replicates Keane’s goal, only better. The unbelievable has happened – our ten men have equalised! In North County Dublin, two men dance with each other for the first time as adults. As it happens, both men have perfect eyesight and can independently verify that SWP was definitely onside when Fowler passed the ball to him. Get more beer, dying for a smoke, but dare not leave the telly.
9.21 – 9.30 – City under unbelievable pressure – our team is knackered, but we are playing out of our skins. Can we drag this thing into extra time? Blow up, ref, for crying out loud!
9.31. – Macken buries Tarnat’s cross in Spurs net! Andy Gray says he’s seen it, but does not believe it. Although the eldest son and I are screaming, dancing and spilling beer all over the place, I do not really believe it myself either. Then the ball is placed the centre circle. It’s true! City are leading 4-3, with less than 2 minutes to go. Make a mental note to reinstate son in will.
9.31- 9.32 – the final minute. Pleeeease, Lady Luck, you who have been absent for so long (other than to attend to our opponents’ needs), please stay with us for just 60 seconds more. Please, City, no cock-ups, no gifts, no unlucky bounces, no free kick within 50 yards of the goal, no collisions, no slips or misplaced passes putting Spurs in with a chance.
9.33 – why doesn’t that bl**dy ref blow the final whistle? Doesn’t he know that there is only 2 minutes added time, and we are now well into the third minute. Spurs are all over us, and every City player now has the same target for the ball – Row ZZ in the upper stand – but still the ball remains in play. Then – peeep, peeeep, peeeeep. It’s all over, and the travelling City supporters, quite rightly, go bananas. The Spurs players and supporters wander around for a while, like the undead. I know the feeling, as do all City supporters, but tonight that feeling belongs to somebody else, and welcome they are to it. In a house North County Dublin, the phone rings, and a jubilant brother is on the other end. The night is just beginning, but there is a small job to be done.
10.15 – Sky Sports coverage ends. Telly off. To the kitchen, where the City memorabilia is recovered, and lovingly restored to its rightful place. Son and I are enjoying more beer and a smoke when the War Office returns. “Did you win”, she asks.

Did we win? Did we win? It was only the finest comeback in the history of the Cup.

People have asked why did City play like they did in the second half. Part of the explanation may be that the goals scored by Spurs were not down to blatant defensive errors, but were exceptionally good individual efforts, and could have been scored against any team. We, too, had created some chances that we simply had not converted. Therefore the City players did not feel that they had given the match away. The fact that they were down to ten men, and the absence of Anelka, meant that all strategies and tactics were out the window, except one – play for the shirt, and play till you drop. This we proceeded to do.

There were two significant turning points in the match. First, Distin’s goal coming so quickly after the restart showed that we could score against Spurs, and the timing of the goal gave us reason to believe that we could score again before the match finished. The second turning point was Arason’s double-save, which led us to believe that Spurs were unlikely to score again, and gave us the motivation to keep going for more goals. Is this the turning point for the season? I think it is, if we can recreate that passion and belief when we need it for the remainder of the season. At least now we know we can do it, so let us do just that.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ V: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

Well actually the bit I watched was Spurs 0 City 3. I’d had a computer animation class and had been following the score on the BBC website. Oh no! 1-0 in 2 minutes. Oh no! Anelka off injured, Oh no! 2-0, Oh no! 3-0 and Oh no! Barton sent off. So I drove home thinking this is the darkest things have been for a few years, will KK quit and should I phone my dad and tell him to put a bet on City winning since the odds would have to be phenomenal.

Turned on Sky to the first glimmer of light; the score was 3-1, ah well that’s better. And City were playing as though they meant to win and Bosvelt scores a lucky goal to make it 3-2, could it be? Spurs come back at us for around 10-15 minutes and we’re kept in it by our new reserve ‘keeper making a super save or two. Then SWeeP, just onside (?), scores by dinking it over Keller wow, cool! How will we stand up in extra time? Will the adrenalin compensate for the tiredness and cramp? (and that’s just me on the settee!) Nae bother. Macken heads a looping header into the corner of the net with a minute to go and a couple of solid defensive clearances later there we are.

I’ve watched Newcastle do it to us many, many years ago at Maine Road; but like the comeback against Gillingham this must surely mark the turning of the corner, not just the passion and skill but also that little bit of luck that has eluded us in recent weeks. Well done to the City fans in the crowd too; cheering when all seems lost isn’t easy, even with practice.

MATCH REPORT ‘TV’ VI: SPURS 3 MCFC 4

I was kind of dreading this game. After the exertions and effort of three days ago could the players do it again?

After less than two minutes I thought I had my answer. Richard Dunne’s sliced clearance fell to Ledley King, just City’s luck at the moment that the clearance didn’t fall to a City player, who hit a beautiful curling shot into the top right hand corner of Arni Arason’s goal.

City then dominated the game and were unlucky with a few chances and some mis-hits from Robbie Fowler. Within this period City were refused an obvious penalty when Keller dropped the ball and then grabbed hold of Sun Jihai’s leg as he tried to retrieve it. Despite this spell of good play we went 2 down in the 19th minute when a bit of sublime control and a flick from Robbie Keane beat Arason again and found its way into the goal.

I was feeling sorry for Arason on his début. He wasn’t playing badly and had been beaten by two goal of the month contenders. I was also wondering if City were contriving to set an unusual record. Being the receiving team for every goal in a goal of the month competition (remembering Henry’s goal on Sunday). On 27 minutes it got worse when Nicolas Anelka went off with a groin strain.

This goal of the month suspicion seemed to be confirmed on 42 minutes when Joey Barton went over the ball, got booked, and gave a free-kick away about 25 yards out. Ziege curled the ball into the top left hand corner. 3-0 down, no Anelka. Oh dear. As the half time whistle blew Joey Barton walked (slowly, not aggressively like Kevin Horlock) toward the referee; when he was still about 5 yards away Styles produced a second yellow for Joey and duly sent him off. At h-t Styles confirmed that Barton did not use foul or abusive language. So a sending off? 3-0 down, Anelka off and down to 10. No chance.

Why do we love this club?

I have never seen a second half from City like it. They were like men possessed. On 47 City got a free-kick about 40 yards out. Tarnat lined it up and looked like he was going to welly it. Well it fooled me and, thankfully, the Spurs defence. Instead he flicked a lovel ball into the box with the outside of his left boot. Distin ran onto it and headed past Keller into the goal.

Oh well, I thought, at least a bit of pride saved after Martin Tyler had predicted possible total humiliation for City at the break.

There followed three moments of good fortune, which have been the thing that’s been missing from this current run. On 54 minutes Ziege took a similar free-kick to the one from which he scored. This time Arason made a brilliant save but could only push it onto the bar. The ball fell to Poyet about 6 yards out from an open goal. He headed the ball back to the goal, only for Arason to appear from nowhere to dive across his line and save it. One of the best double saves you could ever wish to see.

The second piece of good fortune occurred in the 60th minute when a clearance from a City corner fell to Bosvelt on the edge of the box. His shot deflected off Gardner and into the gaping goal. 3-2. I was thinking it could still end up 5-2 as I couldn’t believe 10 man City could keep up the pace they were playing at.

In the 79th minute we had our third bit of good fortune when Fowler put a good ball through to SWP, but he could easily have been given offside, wasn’t, and finished beautifully by clipping it over the on-rushing Keller. 3-3. I was hoping we would hold out, but dreading extra-time. No way could these players keep up this pace with only 10. Sibierski and McManaman came on for Bosvelt and Sinclair.

No need to worry. Extra time was not required because in the second minute of stoppage time Sibierski pushed the ball out wide to Tarnat on the left who sent a beautiful deep ball into the box. I was just about to shout penalty for a push on Macken when he rose anyway to send a brilliantly placed header into the right hand corner of Kasey Keller’s goal. I could not believe it. What a night. It ranked with the Wembley play-off, and may prove to be of equal importance for what it will do for confidence.

So many contenders for man of the match. Except I’m afraid to say for Trevor Sinclair. OK he defended well at times but as an attacking midfielder… sorry. Arni Arason had a début he can be proud of. Nothing he could do about the Spurs goals but 4 outstanding saves in the second half. For me though it has to be the man Sky picked. Shaun Wright-Phillips. He was outstanding in the second half and scared their defence to death. If he didn’t do enough to impress the watching England coach then he never will.

And the fans. Throughout the game you could hear them. Even at 3 down you could hear them chanting for, not against, the team. Magnificent.

Apparently our chairman John Wardle gave up his seat in the director’s box to stand with the fans and said afterwards he had never witnessed anything like it. John, get with them again. They are the best.

One final quote from Andy Gray when the 4th went in “I’ve seen it but I still don’t believe it.”

Thank you City for keeping me proud.

MATCH REPORT: WOLVES RESERVES 0 MCFC RESERVES 2

Bradley’s Away Match Brace

An away fixture to be played at Telford United’s Bucks Head stadium was switched to City’s reserve home at Ewen Fields, Hyde. The resulting home-away fixture ended up being settled by a brace of goals by the improving Bradley Wright-Phillips in the first half. City’s stalwart defence also held out for yet another clean sheet, thereby recording their third consecutive league win and returning them to the top of the form guide table and cementing sixth place in the league.

Both clubs fielded young teams but City’s line up had only one player over the age of twenty and that was Mikkel Bischoff who co-incidentally turned 22 on the day of the match. Wet and windy conditions contrived to make the match start off with little to shout about and with City playing against the wind in the first half, found it difficult to play long balls out of defence.

City were able to strike the first blow when Glenn Whelan, playing his first game for City after a loan spell at Bury, sent a quick, long free kick out to the left where Jamie Tandy was in space and he headed the ball back across the box for Bradley to chest the ball, turn and volley into the net.

Nearly ten minutes later both Bradley and Stephen Elliot got in each other’s way as they tried to scramble the ball over the goal line from five yards out. Shortly afterwards ,City doubled their lead when Willo Flood, City’s 18 year old captain, sent a delightful long pass to Lee Croft out on the right and he for a change sent in a great cross which Bradley rose like a salmon to head powerfully past City’s old Academy goalkeeper, Wayne Hennessey.

This seemed to wake Wolves up as both Kasper Schmeichel and Paul Collins denied Matthew Watson and Leon Clarke respectively from scoring within a five minute spell. In the last 15 minutes of the half, Tandy was unlucky to see his header drift wide of the post from a powerful run and cross by Nedum Onuoha. Then, when City won their first corner on 39 minutes, a good, deep cross from Tandy was met well at the near post by Elliott who saw Hennessey get down well to save his effort and turn it behind for another corner.

The second half was far less eventful as you might expect; with the players trying to run against strong winds the energy levels lowered. However, City were the only team to carve out any real chances. The first came after only four minutes of the restart but again Hennessey denied Elliott a goal from a 20 yard hard, low shot.

Wolves made substitutions during the half in an attempt to alter the tempo for them but with Nedum and Nathan D’Laryea, and Paul Collins in such good form at the back, there was no way through for them. Elliott must have been glad to see the back of Hennessey when yet again he was able to deny him a goal when Tandy had made yet another strong run down the left and delivered a good cross but Elliott was thwarted by Hennessey’s legs this time.

City’s last chance fell to Collins when a mazy run by the sponsors’ man of the match, Lee Croft (who this time was made to change before receiving his award in the sponsors’ lounge), fed the ball across to the on-rushing Collins on the left, but his powerful shot just skimmed wide of the post.

The game, however, ended on a sour note when Schmeichel came out of his goal and lunged to make a clearance. The ball was cleared but Kasper was left in agony on the floor and the referee halted play while the stretchers were brought out to carry him out. It was later confirmed that his left knee had popped out and he would be sidelined for at least six weeks.

On a more positive note, the young team were able to gain a much deserved victory with four reserve team regulars missing. City’s next reserve game is the Senior Cup clash against Oldham at Boundary Park and victory there will theoretically confirm City as finalists yet again.

Schmeichel (90): Had one save all match, hope he recovers soon. 7
Flood (capt): Not one of his best games in midfield but still as tenacious as ever. 7
Collins: His best game for the reserves; strong defensively, covered the ground well. 8
D’Laryea: Worked really hard at the back and mopped up from Mikkel a lot. 8
Onuoha: Nothing ruffled him all evening, good at the back and going forward. MoM. 8
Bischoff: Was shown up by the younger players how to defend at times. 6
Croft: Had a lot of the ball but only on two occasions used it well. 7
Whelan: His loan spell does not seem to show any signs of improvement. 7
Elliott: On another night might have shared the match ball with Bradley. 7
BWP (75): Started to misfire after his brace and should have had the hat trick. 7
Tandy: One of his better games, intelligent play and good crosses. 8

Subs:
Ireland (75): The game was over when he came on and didn’t make a big impact. 6
Matthewson (90): The game had ended so no score.
Not Used: Warrender, Murphy, Laird.

Wolves: Hennessey, Flynn, Talbot, Andrews (capt), Clyde, Watson (Lowe 75), Gobern (Lee Jones 64), Gudjonsson, Clarke (Mulligan 86), Ganea, Silas.

Att: 305.

OPINION: PREMIERSHIP STATS

Although City’s woes continue, they are still almost entirely unreflected in the rankings. We remain a single point down when compared against the same opposition last season. However, we now have 28 points to defend over the last 15 games, so it will be amazing if we end up with 51 points. Last month we were 3 points off relegation and 9 off the Champions’ League. Now we are just as near the bottom, but 14 pts from 4th spot. For the record, I think this team is better than last season’s. I think that a win will make all the difference: I’ve just given up expecting that the next game will be the one.

The top eight in the rankings are the same as those from last month, with Chelsea dropping points while Birmingham again show that they are one of the most improved teams – 15 pts ahead of where they were in 2002-3. Charlton and Bolton’s good league positions are also reflected. The bottom three are adrift. If only it were so in the league table, then we could be less worried.

This month we play the following teams (last season’s points in brackets): Birmingham home (3), Liverpool Away (3), Bolton Away (0) and Chelsea Home (0).

Pos     Team                    Pts     ChPts   Last
1       Manchester United       86        3       1
2       Arsenal                 82        4       2
3       Chelsea                 72        5       4
4       Birmingham              63       15      13
5       Newcastle United        62       -7       3
6       Liverpool               60       -4       5
7       Charlton Athletic       58        9      12
8       Southampton             53        1       8
9       Bolton Wanderers        52        8      17
10      Manchester City         50       -1       9
11      Fulham                  50        2      14
12      Blackburn Rovers        48      -12       6
13      Middlesboro             48       -1      11
14      Everton                 47      -12       7
15      Aston Villa             44       -1      16
16      Tottenham Hotspur       42       -8      10
17      Portsmouth              38       -4      18
18      Leeds United            31      -16      15
19      Wolves                  31       12      20
20      Leicester City          27        1      19

How it works: Points (Pts) are calculated from last season’s totals by replacing 2002/3 results with the same results for 2003/4. Promoted sides take the results of the respective relegated sides: Portsmouth (champions) take West Ham’s (18th), Leicester (2nd) take West Brom’s (19th), and Wolves, Sunderland’s (20th). The ChPts (change points) column shows how the points total compares with last season. The Last column indicates last season’s finishing spot.

OPINION: CELTIC CONGRATS

Hi, I don’t know who you are, I just found a web link from a Manchester City fan club and thought that last night’s game was worth writing to their fan club, to say well done, games like that justify paying for Sky TV.

I’m a Celtic bhoy but I just happened to catch the tail end of the Sky game, 3-1 at the time. The passion was there, rubbed off from Kevin Keegan’s drive to win, by fair means. I have never taken the time to write to any other club before as I am Celtic through and through but last night’s win showed great strength in teamwork and a passion for the game. 3 down, with 10 men and 45 minutes to go is a great comeback.

The bhoys are in Paradise at Parkhead, as like KK, we have our Blessed Martin O’Neill as a leader and has installed the same positive total passion and respect into our football.

Well done.

OPINION: TEARS OF PRIDE

I was reduced to tears for a different reason after watching my beloved City tonight. Awesome display from the 10 Blue heroes after losing Anelka and then the idiot Barton. Keegan needs to get a grip of the lad, he has so much talent but his temperament is letting him down badly.

Is it a coincidence that the last 2 games we won (tonight and at Southampton) we managed without Anelka on the pitch? Ok he has scored 19 goals in the league but he could have had 30 with the chances he has missed. Sweep was amazing, he ran his heart out again and they could not cope with him in the second half, all the 10 players in the second half were incredible and if we showed that commitment in all our games, particularly at home, we would be a top 6 team easily.

I couldn’t believe the comments being made on Sky TV after the game about the ‘lucky’ second goal and Sweep being offside for his goal, how much bad luck have we had in recent months when teams we have played have gotten results against us they did not deserve? Sweep was marginally offside but how many times have we had incorrect offsides called against us? It’s about time we got a bit of luck, we deserved our win, if you are 3-0 up going into the second half against 10 men and you lose 4-3, how can you say you were unlucky?

Bring on the Trafford Rangers and lets hope they are just as unlucky…

OPINION: BREATHLESS IN CALIFORNIA

Well I think that just about tops it all. Will this wonderful club ever cease to amaze. Just when I thought we had hit rock bottom with no way back, ten players decide enough is enough. I am sure others will write more about the game, but I think this may be one game, or rather one 45 minutes, where individual player evaluations might not be needed. But I can’t resist one.

Where did this ‘keeper come from and how will Kevin make a choice between him and David James on this performance? Thanks to the fans who were at White Hart Lane, it was evident on TV that they were behind the team all the way. The coverage in the US was live and was the UK feed complete with Andy Gray, Glenn Hoddle and Mr. Quinn himself.

Here’s to building on this effort, energy and commitment no matter what the starting 11 is on the weekend.

I am also glad the club is appealing that very odd red card of Anelka’s. I spent a number of years refereeing at junior level in the US and I usually think refs get it right more than they get it wrong. They do see stuff the camera or the crowd miss. But the treatment handed out to Anelka was really over the top and I am pleased the club is now viewing it that way.

Here’s to the turning point of the season at last, ever the optimist.

OPINION: BLUE HOODOOS

Spent all week not stepping on nicks (bloody hard when you’ve a block-paved drive; the neighbours whispered to the missus, “Will he get better. Oh it is a shame, he used to be so healthy”) and staying exactly to the speed limit ’cause I had this understanding with God (well not got Colin Bell’s mobile # so God will have to do) that if I committed totally then City would win. So I did. Try driving at speed limits for a week and you connect with so many people 🙂 I got through by pretending they were all Rags and predicting a two-nil in the next meeting, ‘cept I couldn’t do the nil on the twisty bits:-)

Matchday, wake up with the faint air of expectation that we all know and love. The tension builds and builds, all sorts of scenarios race through what passes for a mind. Two-nil had been a recurring theme all week so I missed Gamblers Anon on Monday and lobbed twenty notes on and insisted on odds of 20-1; the bookies wanted to give us 200-1 but that would have made the pattern wrong. I’ve not avoided nicks all week for some superior bookie to screw it up now spawn of Santa! Did I mention dyslexia?

On way home from work, stop off at offy and get beer. Night off from AA. Get Voddy and Stella. Plan to have couple of Stellas to numb the pain (old habits die hard… just in case the nick treading/speed limit thing was not enough devotion) and Voddy for celebration. Drink Voddy first just in case Stella not enough. Feel very positive that Stella’s not going to be needed. ‘Phone dealer just in case Stellas needed and not effective enough (old habits die hard). Arrange motorcycle courier ’cause Voddy kicking in and don’t want to break any laws. Hope it’s rampant Marianne Faithfull but it is young bloke with complexion by Pizza Hut; that’s the pre-match hospitality sorted then. No Rizlas so start separating Thirst Pockets and folding up bits of Scratch Cards that didn’t understand the “no picking of the nose” commitment last week. Wonder if the plastic scratchy stuff is harmless when warm.

Make sure lungs are not going to give up, big breaths O yeth. Still positive about the Stella might be OK for the weekend game if it’s still in date. We’re on telly more than Jordan just now:-))

Thinking might ‘phone bookie and increase bet; can’t remember number and laugh uncontrollably.

Get ready for kick-off. Put on lucky clothes. Trolleys, not been washed since Neil Young scored at Wembley, need anti-fungal cream all week when we’ve played; thank Christ there’s no summer season. Turn heating down while I remember.

Go for wee before kick off; always my fault if a goal against when unloading. Kick off, must see the ball kicked otherwise will not win. See it! Voddy kicks through to bladder, quick wee, Oh No 1-0 down. Will have to wear shirt with scratchy label to atone. Find lighter and burn scratch card a bit more. Will probably not go to NarcAnon later. Concentrate on match. Laugh insanely as chemical imbalance make us look as if we have never seen round bouncy thing before then remember it’s Trevor Sinclair doing the half-way line shoot-in but the practice goals have gone. No change there then.

Spend next three minutes(ish) texting Spurs fan mate but predictive text will not do “fornicating with goats” and next thing I know it’s half-time and Joey’s soliloquy earns an ignominious exit.

3-0. Anelka has pulled himself off well before half-time clutching his groin; perhaps he’s going to be a Spice Boy after all? Joey’s soliloquy has earned a long rest so we play the Stella card. Well it’s something to do with your hands innit? Get the cigs out and recharge the patches.

Really disillusioned that the treading on nicks and not speeding commitment not understood. Open Stella and warm more Scratch cards. Unfortunately disappear into other state. Roy of the Rovers Land where The Ten Men overcome all odds and are possessed with superhuman powers and start scoring goals. Macken wins it with a header as extra time is looming. SWP owns the right side of the pitch. Distin plays overlapping centre-half as a hidden track on Sgt Pepper. If we owned the left as well would not need the cigs:-) Me and son embrace in manly way. Police called to suspected domestic. ‘Phone dealer to express appreciation and thinking of buying in bulk.

Face sore from smiling. Will crack if win at Swamp. Will promise to go to rehab. Hope Priory Clinic is at City Stadium so the counsellors can see what we’re up against. Will have to tell the truth or I’ll never get better :-0

CTID might apply for compensation in retrospect.

OPINION: THE BEST COMEBACK EVER? I

Right let’s get this right first, I don’t want KK to go O.K.?

Now for all my fellow City fans who after the Wednesday night game are on cloud 9 can I just say get a ticket back to reality quick! We were 3 nil down against a very poor Tottenham team and were very, very lucky to get away with the game. If we are 3 nil down against the Rags then make no mistake there will be no way back! I’m sick of being shown up on TV (last night and the play-off excepted). I wish we’d been beaten last night, I really do.

As I write this today (Thursday), I feel I’m the only Blue who couldn’t give a monkey’s about the FA Cup. I’m far more worried about getting 46 points. Sunday’s game is far more important to me. We have got to sort out our defence and quick. We cannot go on conceding goals at the rate we are, or we will be playing Division 1 football next season! The coaching staff has got to take a long, hard look at themselves and either walk, or get the boot. KK has got to not only shake up the playing staff, but also the back room boys.

Here’s hoping I’m wrong, but if we don’t get a result on Sunday I fear for the rest of our season.

Wednesday night the best comeback ever, no.

Finishing higher than 3rd from the bottom yes.

OPINION: THE BEST COMEBACK EVER? II

They say the darkest hour comes just before the dawn.

Perhaps we have just seen our darkest hour in the first half at Tottenham on Wednesday night. 3-0 down after a lamentable 45 minutes, I hesitate to call it a performance – with Anelka injured, Barton sent off and worrying thoughts of how Keegan might react, heads were down in the City end. Just to make matters worse, no beer was on sale to drown our sorrows.

I almost left. When the third goal went in, I almost got up and walked straight away but I decided to wait until half-time. Then thoughts of Wembley in ’99 (when I didn’t leave early) and ’86 (when I did) made me think: “I’ll give it 10 minutes”.

That would have been the correct decision then.

Last night’s achievement doesn’t quite rank with the comeback in the Wembley play-off final. Back then, it wasn’t being too dramatic to say that the whole future of the club was at stake if we didn’t get back into Division One at the first attempt. There was much more at stake then than the mere continuation of our chances in a Cup competition, even if it is still our only hope of success this season.

That said, it was definitely a “Were You There?” game. Living and working in London, I’m used to long journeys back from Manchester after joyous victories, or more recently a miserable litany of draws and defeats. Last night, I actually envied those travelling back the other way as I walked past the Edmonton Job Centre (only 10 minutes walk from the ground, Kevin) and then waited for the number 34 bus, hoping I could make it back in time for Match of the Day. I was jealous because there is something special about an away victory against all the odds that makes that long trek back worthwhile.

Speaking of odds, one lucky punter apparently put £4 on City to win at half-time getting odds of 400-1 on one of the betting exchanges. I also notice that the odds against City getting relegated have not shortened after last night. You might expect the feel-good factor and extra self-belief derived from such an incredible victory to drive the players on to our first league victory in aeons. Or maybe the bookies have spotted our new false dawn already.

I expect I’m in the minority here but I would swap the ecstasy of last night for a guaranteed three points against the bluenoses of Brum on Sunday. If last night can be the conduit for a turnaround in our season then fantastic; in May you can call me silly names for being so pessimistic. If not, a grim relegation battle awaits and one which I fear we could easily lose.

I have binned a couple of highly negative articles I was going to send to MCIVTA in recent weeks because I didn’t want my first contribution in so long to be so depressing. Instead it is nice to write in on a high note. Let’s ride this new wave of optimism and, more importantly, determination to survival.

A couple of victories against the Rags along the way would be nice. I think that MCIVTA 1000 is due out the day after the home league game against them. That must surely be a good omen.

OPINION: I GUESS THAT’S WHY THEY CALL US THE BLUES

During these last few years, as the trials and tribulations of being a Manchester City supporter were really beginning to grate, I would often think, “why can’t we be like Spurs (not as a club, mind you)?”, in other words, why can’t we have a few years or so of mid-table mediocrity, never in danger of going down, not troubling the upper reaches of the table, quite simply, doing nowt.

And then after last night, I realised this is what being a Manchester City fan is all about. I wouldn’t trade it for anything in the world.

OPINION: UNFORGETTABLE

Brilliant. Amazing, this comeback from 3-0 down and with 10 men. This game will go down in history. Thanks to all the supporters who were at the game, we could hear them sing their hearts out whilst we were 3-0 down. Blue Moon!

Play more games like this and City are going to be alright. Thanks for a super, super game, Kevin Keegan and the team, well done!

OPINION: CLOSURE

1981? … Ricky who?

OPINION: WOW IS US I

Wow, wow, wow, wow, but Sunday is more important!

OPINION: WOW IS US II

Wow!

Oh yes! What an excellent, excellent signing. KK now has a GK who talks to his defenders and a defender who is un-merciless. Excellent.

OPINION: DUNNEY

Like all us City fans, I’ve been desperately seeking why we are not winning – I am wearing the wrong socks, do I walk to the ground the wrong way, have I changed my aftershave, nope still can’t find a pattern so I looked at the program to see if there was anything there. One thing jumped out: Richard Dunne.

Don’t get me wrong, I think he tries as hard as anyone and although he makes mistakes, so does every other defender (Distin – Arsenal, Sommeil – Leeds, Tarnat and Sun most games), but the stats don’t lie. Apart from cup games – TNS, QPR and Leicester, the only game we have won when Richard was playing was Southampton, his first one in the league this season, the rest we all know.

I can’t explain why, but it might be that Richard doesn’t distribute the ball as well as others and hence we get pressure back on our fragile defence. I know Sun can give it away but it is normally less dangerous on the wing, you have that much more time to recover. It could be the other defenders don’t play well alongside him, it could be just coincidence.

What do other people think?

[Unfair to blame one player for collective failings Alick – Ed]

OPINION: DISTIN

I really can`t believe the utter rubbish I have just read from Paul Odusanya regarding Silvain Distin. Being a manager and player of a

does not, I presume, leave him with a lot of time to get to watch City matches. If he did, he would realise that Distin is one of the better centre-halves in the Premiership and is neither a “poor defender” nor a “defender who doesn’t want to defend”. Ask any City fan who actually watches him week in, week out, and if you don’t believe them, get up to St. James` Park and ask them. I was at Highbury and was one of those screaming for Distin to get back prior to the first goal, especially considering the opposition, but in fairness he only does what his manager tells him to do. Distin has made a few mistakes this year, but often he has been the difference between us getting a point or getting a battering. If Mr. Odusanya wants to criticise our defending then let him have a look at the defensive abilities of our full backs. Sun Jihai is excellent going forward and must be as fit as anyone at the club, but defensively he is suspect. Michael Tarnat has been a very good defender but nowadays he tends to get stranded upfield and leaves gaps behind him. So whoever fills the two centre-half berths is going to be exposed, more so if either of the wide middle four players struggles. If you want to see how effective Distin is just look back to the games where he has played left back or on the left side of a back three, and the hole in the middle has been massive.

He doesn’t say it directly, but Mr. Odusanya seems to be inferring that he would sooner see David Sommeil at centre-half. Well that is beyond belief.

Finally, I think we all accept that our defence needs a lot of work doing on it, but please let’s not throw the baby out with the dirty bath water.

OPINION: BOSVELT INTERVIEW

Taken from the Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad on 24 January. Here’s what he had to say:

Paul Bosvelt feels at home at Manchester City, by Sjoerd Mossou.

It’s still taking some getting used to, the light blue shirt on Paul Bosvelt’s back. The chiselled features of the midfielder seem to have lost their colour without the contrast of the familiar red shirt that he wore at SC Doesburg, Go Ahead Eagles, FC Twente and Feyenoord.

Six months after his surprise departure from the Kuip [Feyenoord’s ground], Paul Bosvelt feels right at home at City. The ex-Feyenoord player relaxes in a caf