Newsletter #1357

Views tonight on the game at the Emirates where Arsenal popped up with a late winner following a decent performance from the Blues’ defence, and some concerns arisen in the squad.

We also have opinion on the squad, the way the club has been run over recent years and the usual requests.

Just as we were beginning to discuss the possibility of Kasper Schmeichel transferring allegiance to the flag of St George, thereby solving the national ‘keeping dilemma, his father steps in to scupper the chance.

Next up, the cup campaign begins with a visit to Ashton Gate, one time home of The Goat.

OPINION: REALITY STRIKES

A reality check, for sure. Arsenal got what they deserved, whilst City simply did not deserve to win this game. The good news is that the pressure is certainly now off the club, having now suffered our first new-season defeat.

As against United we are far, far too lightweight in the middle third of the pitch whilst in the final third, for the most part, we remain woefully inadequate, almost naïve, on occasion.

Once again, Richard Dunne was quite superb in all aspects of his game. What an immense player he is: Mr Consistency. For me, not too much wrong with our defence, it’s the rest of the side that causes me much more concern (apart from Schmeichel giving concern regarding his “abilities” when attempting to deal with the ball when played in from either wing).

Petrov? I am majorly concerned re his performances. In the first half today, he had a great chance to score but his shot was poor in the extreme. Throughout, he was very ineffective. He should not make the starting line-up based on what I’ve seen of him in the last two games.

Elano? He has skill and talent but is too lightweight and doesn’t seem all that bothered most of the time. His shot in the first half today was quite pathetic, whilst he should have done much, much better.

Mpenza? Tough position on his own, up front but, on this display, he is a squad player, at best. I was hoping Bianchi would have begun the game, but not to be, I feel he would have done better than Mpenza in any case.

We simply must make full use of the remaining days of the transfer window if we are to be considered somewhat of a force in the league this season. Hopefully our Chairman does not now like the taste of defeat. As such we must bring in one serious attacking midfielder, together with a couple of proven goalscorers; otherwise, we simply shall not be in a position to compete with the top sides in the coming months and it would be a pity not to build upon the solid start we have made in this campaign.

Loads to do for Sven. Even more by the players in the middle of the park and up front. We simply must get three more players!

OPINION: GOONING

Manchester City played better football against the Gooners than they did against the Rags but came away from the Emirates Stadium without a point.

My concern whilst watching the game was why Rolondo Bianchi, considered our best striker, was left on they bench whilst Emile Mpenza started?

Mpenza, to his credit, chased everything and never gave up but he missed the best chance that any player from either side had when he only had the ‘keeper to beat.

Kasper Schmeichel to me was the man of the match; he certainly is trying to claim being in goal for City his place.

Always a steady player, Richard Dunne was a very close second, and a very worthy captain.

In this game we could see that the players were passing the ball to one another, and holding the ball a lot better. I think the more these players play, the better that they will get as a team.

I did not like coming away without a point, but I was very pleased by the effort given, and the kind of football that City played.

We only have until Friday for any players to leave or come into the club, I anticipate a busy week, maybe two or three each way.

Just one little thing from last week’s derby game versus the Rags, did you all notice how inventive the designers of their shirt have been by putting a white skunk’s lookalike stripe down the back of their shirts? How appropriate and clever.

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: RESPECT

Mark Strong asks me (MCIVTA 1356) why I think it’s an insult to give someone complimentary tickets in the main stand.

First things first though, let me set aside some other points. I agree with Mark that Tueart should’ve just kept his problem between him and the club instead of kicking up a fuss in the media. I also think that it may have been time for Tueart and the club to part ways since, according to reports, he had a different idea of where the club should be heading next. If it’s true that Tueart was dead keen on having Souness as our next manager then it’s probably just as well he’s moving on.

Still, I think that he should’ve had his request for tickets in the directors’ box honoured.

It’s not about being “too high profile to sit with the lowly average City fan in the stands”. Imagine you were working for a pub for thirty years who had these invite-only lock-ins every Friday night. Of course, as barman you were a regular there after you’d finished shutting up the bar. Always the same faces. Anyway, one day the landlord decides to replace you with some younger, hipper staff. A week after you’ve been let go, you visit the pub as a customer to see the usual folks but, when they start locking up, you’re told to get up and go. “Isn’t there a lock-in tonight?” you ask the landlord. “Yes” he answers, “But not for you. Here…” he goes behind the bar and puts some rum in a glass. “Here’s a free rum and coke for the road, now sling your hook.”

Is it an insult to get a free rum and coke? Not normally, but in this case yes. After 30 years it’s a watered down consolation prize, like dumping your fiancee and giving her a pen. You’d be within your rights to tell him to stick the rum and coke. That’s not to say you’re too good for that drink, just that you don’t like the way it was offered. And you’re not too good for the regular hours either but the landlord’s made his feelings clear and you have your pride.

It’s the same to my mind with Tueart. If Andy Morrison had asked for some free tickets to the directors’ box it might’ve been about right to say “‘Fraid not Andy, but here’s a couple of free tickets to the main stand and we’re glad you’re maintaining your association with Manchester City.” But Dennis Tueart? If we can give Colin Bell a stand, is he not worth a couple of complimentary seats in the box?

Mark, you wrote that “City have done very well out of Dennis and I have nothing but praise for him, but he has also done very well out of City.” Well yeah. But I like to think that every now and again the relationship between the club and the player goes beyond pure business. And I’d like to be able to say to Micah Richards “Go to Chelsea and you’ll be just another high paid employee, or stay here and become a legend.” I’m afraid, though, that that’s a promise only worth making if we treat our legends with class.

OPINION: SONGS OF PLAYS

The win against the Rags was a joy to behold and the noise was great but can we not start getting together a collection of songs for our players (new and old) now that we’ve actually got something to sing about?

I suggest we start getting together some songs and even getting them put up on the Club’s official website so they can actually take off at the games (Arsenal and Liverpool have done this previously!).

Anyway my token contributions to get things started are:

Elano (woahooo), Elano (woahooo),
He came from the Ukraine,
Made City great again…

Ha-mann, Ha-mann,
Ha-mann, Ha-mann,
Ha-mann, Ha-mann, Ha-mann,
Dietmar!

Not the most original but hopefully there’s plenty of people out there with some better ideas!

Keep the faith and stay Blue.

REQUEST: PERTH VIEWING

I’ll be in Perth on the weekend of the Blackburn away game and I’m wondering if City fans are planning to gather to watch the game (if it’s on)? If so, please let me know.

REQUEST: THIRD SHIRT

I would appreciate if there is anyone out there who is willing to sell the limited edition third shirt short sleeves with size XXL that recently went on sale, as I do live outside the UK and was unable to buy the shirt in Manchester.

Please get in touch via email below. Thanks.

RESULTS

26 August 2007

Middlesbrough         2 - 2  Newcastle United      28,875
Manchester United     1 - 0  Tottenham Hotspur     75,696

25 August 2007

Sunderland            0 - 2  Liverpool             45,645
Arsenal               1 - 0  Manchester City       60,114
Aston Villa           2 - 1  Fulham                36,638
Bolton Wanderers      3 - 0  Reading               20,023
Chelsea               1 - 0  Portsmouth            41,501
Derby County          1 - 2  Birmingham City       31,117
West Ham United       1 - 1  Wigan Athletic        33,793
Everton               1 - 1  Blackburn Rovers      33,850

League table to 26 August 2007 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v0708.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

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

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

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

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

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

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

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

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

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

[6] Where can I find out about Points of Blue (formerly the Fans’ Committee)?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

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

The Radio Manchester (née GMR) pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/sport/manchester_city/index.shtml.

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

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

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

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

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

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

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

[11] Where can I find match statistics?

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

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

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

Editor: