Newsletter #1412

News and match report tonight on the youth team success in the FA Youth Cup as they progress to the final, reaction to the Reading defeat and opinion on the lack of goals. Meanwhile, there is news of former Blues scoring for fun at Celtic and WBA, and a potential route to Europe for the team.

We also have opinion on the club’s treatment of fan groups and the rest of the season.

Next up our nemesis Spurs once more.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

The Final Countdown: City are in the Final of the FA Youth Cup, having only just sneaked past Sunderland in the two legged semi this week. And hold the front page – Daniel Sturridge didn’t score in either match. On Thursday, City visited the Stadium of Light, and came away with a fine 2-0 victory, thanks to a goal in each half from defender Ryan McGivern. The Northern Irish left back said afterwards: “It was a good game, the boys did really well and we knew coming here it was going to be tough, but we did what we had to do and got the breaks.” He admitted: “First half they kept the ball really well and it was hard. We weren’t keeping the ball too well ourselves, but the last 10 minutes of the first half we started to play. In the second half we came out, got the ball down, passed it about and created chances.”
Team: Hartley, Trippier, Mee (c), McGivern, Tutte, Boyata, Weiss, Kay, Ball, Sturridge, McDermott (Tsiaklis 70).
And so to the second leg at the COMS on Tuesday night. If City’s lads thought they were in for an easy night, their confidence must’ve been shaken on 15 minutes, as Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson give the visitors the lead. Luckily for us of a Sky Blue persuasion, that was the end of the scoring, and City are now in their second FA Youth Cup Final in three years. Academy director Jim Cassell was proud of his charges. “We ground out a result and now we are in a national final with a 50-50 chance of winning the trophy,” he stated. “Credit to Sunderland who I thought were magnificent although there was not the same pressure on them after we’d won the first leg. I am so proud of the lads and so are all the coaches and I must pay tribute to skipper Ben Mee who led from the front and was an absolute giant. He never missed a header, he has a bloody nose and a crack on the head and he exemplified our spirit. It may not have been our most flowing performance but the tie was over two legs and we did the job.”
Team: Hartley, Trippier, McGivern, Boyata, Mee (c), Kay, Weiss, Tutte, Ball, Sturridge, McDermott. Unused subs: Nimely-Tchuimeni, Johansen, Ramsey, Tsiaklis, Mak.

City to Get Their Bolts Tightened: Thaksin Shinawatra has been granted permission to leave Thailand for a four-week trip to England despite a pending corruption case against him. The former Thai Prime Minister, who is due to face charges at Thailand’s Supreme Court on Wednesday, said City needed his urgent attention after two victories in their last 12 league games have seen them slip to eighth in the Premier League. “That is my commitment to Manchester City,” Thaksin said. “I feel like they are losing too many games in the last three to four months while I am still busy. So I have to go back and tighten the bolt.” Rakkiat Pattanaphong, the court secretary, said Mr Thaksin would be allowed to go abroad on Thursday but must report back to the court on April 11.

Stephen is Free for Ireland: The courting of Stephen Ireland by his country continues apace. Liam Brady has been appointed Assistant to Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni, and one of the first jobs he’s been tasked with is to check out Stephen’s form. Sven hopes Stephen Ireland will return to the Republic’s squad under new boss Trapattoni. The Swede said: “Trapattoni is very keen that Stephen Ireland would be coming (back) and I told Stephen that. I said ‘you should play for your country, because that is important’. I think Trapattoni will come one day up to Manchester to speak with him, then what the outcome will be, I do not know.”

Fair Play to City… Again? City’s dip in form means the methods of qualifying for Europe are becoming ever more convoluted. We’ve had our first report this week of City reaching the UEFA Cup next term through our old friend, the UEFA fair play league. Back in 2003, KK was able to deliver us European football through that very route, and early games at the new fangled COMS involved TMS, Groclin and Lokeren, if memory serves. And five years later, City could qualify for Europe again thanks to their excellent disciplinary record. The Mirror says that England head UEFA’s Fair Play list, so there could be an extra space for Sven’s men after all – as the clubs above them in that table should qualify for Europe in their own right. And Sven’s still trying to scare his boys into a turnaround in form by uttering the immortal words “Intertoto Cup”. The boss told the Daily Mail: “It could mean no holiday at all if we go into that competition even earlier. We are committed to it. But I am supporting Trapattoni there, but you cannot force people to play if they do not want to.”

Transfer News and Gossip

Juve Swap Shop? Let’s link two bits of transfer speculation, because they involve the same clubs. Juventus may test City’s resolve to keep Micah Richards, according to reports in Friday’s media. The Daily Mail believes that the Italian giants are set to offer £20 million despite the England defender having just signed a new £55,000-a-week deal. And if young Micah did head to Turin, there might be a replacement moving in the other direction. According to the some reports, City have revived their interest in Juve defender Giorgio Chiellini. The Italian international was a prime target for Sven Goran Eriksson in the summer, but Juventus’ price demands – said to be in the £10 million range – forced City to turn elsewhere at that point. The News of the World is reporting that the Blues plan to make a renewed bid for the 22-year-old at the end of the season, as Eriksson looks to turn his club into a genuine force in European football.

Glasgow Love-In:City might be struggling for goals of late, but their most productive strikeris currently banging in goals for a different club. Georgios Samaras hasscored three goals in five games on loan at Glasgow Celtic. He’s loving itthere, and the fans at Parkhead love him as well. So will he be staying inScotland? “I really don’t know what will happen,” Samaras admitted to theDaily Record, “It’s not only up to me, it’s up to Celtic and City as well. Wemust sit around a table and discuss everything, the positives and negatives.The only thing I can say at the moment is I want everything to be sorted by thestart of the European Championship. My gut feeling is if there is apossibility to stay at Celtic, I will. In the end I will make the choice. Cityalready have an agreement with the transfer fee and I think it’s £3 million. I’veloved every second here. I’m really pleased with myself that I made the rightdecision to join this club. It was really difficult for me because I didn’tenjoy my last couple of months in England. Fortunately, something changed. NowI’m back playing again. My reactions are better when there is pressure in thegame. I’ve nothing to prove. I always believed in myself. There were people atCity who didn’t trust me and I never played in my position. It is a shame forthem, not for me. It’s their loss because I’m here and playing, scoring goalsand close to winning trophies.” Bhoys’ skipper Stephen McManus is now calling onthe club to make the Greek striker’s move to Glasgow a permanent one. He toldthe Daily Record, “I would love to see big Sam stay. I think the women wouldlike to see him stay too because of those looks of his – it gives everyonesomething to look at. From our point of view, he is a top, top player and agreat lad as well. He is a joy to play beside. A lot of players who foundthemselves in the situation he did would have lashed the ball across goal buthe put in a great cross and we scored. Sam is a great player and people forgethe’s still only 23. I knew about him when he was with Manchester City and themanager liked the look of him. He’s a gifted lad and that hasn’t been asurprise. When someone is brought for £6 million, as he was, you know he isquality and he’s come up here and been a breath of fresh air.”

Thai Takeaway: One of City’s international partner clubs, Swiss outfit Grasshopper Zurich, are set to sign Teerasil Dangda and Suree Sukha on loan. The Thai internationals were signed by City in November after endorsements from Dr. Thaksin, but both players are not expected to feature in manager Sven Goran Eriksson’s plans this season. Sukha, 25, and Dangda, 19, initially had their Swiss work permit applications turned down earlier in the week but City successfully appealed against the decision on Friday. With the prospect of regular first-team action on the horizon, Sukha is determined to adjust to a new lifestyle and make an impact at Zurich. “I will try to break into the club’s first-team squad as soon as possible but it will not be easy,” Sukha told The Nation. “It is a completely new environment for me. I need to learn many things such as the language, food and new surroundings. I might not be at the top of my form as I have not played competitively for a while, but I will definitely put in my best effort.” Meanwhile, City’s third Thai player Kiatprawut Saiwaeo is reportedly in talks with Belgian side Club Brugge about a possible loan move.

Transfer Snippets: Time for some other transfer related bits and pieces. City and Tottenham are said to be interested in Watford goalkeeper Scott Loach. The Daily Mirror claims Loach, 19, has also attracted the attention of Liverpool and Newcastle after impressing on loan at Bradford. And City remain in the frame for Roma winger Amantino Mancini. Despite his public comments committing himself to Roma, Gazzetta dello Sport says the prospect of Mancini agreeing terms on a new contract are becoming slimmer by the day. The interest of City, along with Inter Milan, Lyon and Real Madrid, has raised Mancini’s personal demands – which are well above Roma’s current wage ceiling. While we’re in Italy – Lazio have denied reports that a permanent deal for Rolando Bianchi won’t happen because of the player’s asking price. Lazio president Claudio Lotito declared a press silence, partly due to having to deny the claims over Bianchi’s deal in yesterday’s morning press. Nearer home, Bulgarian starlet Branimir Kostadinov is training with the Blues. The 19-year-old forward is currently with SPL side Hearts to whom he moved from Linz of Austria in 2006 but has yet to appear in a senior fixture for the Edinburgh club.

Ex-Blues’ News

Ish’s a Good Cup Run: Amongst the four FA Cup quarter finals at the weekend, it was hard to avoid that there was one hat-trick hero, and that player was none other than Ishmael Miller. His team West Brom visited Bristol Rovers, and Ishmael helped his new team to a Wembley semi-final, with a 5-1 victory. Miller wrapped up a £900,000 move from Eastlands in January after switching on loan in the summer and now he’s anticipating a trip to Wembley. He said: “It’s a great feeling because it will be my first time at Wembley. I’m still young and it will be a great feeling and a great atmosphere for myself and my family. I just wanted to be playing regular football and wherever I can play regularly is where I want to be. That’s what I dreamed about as a kid – playing on a Saturday and in cups like this and that’s why I’m here. We’ve got great fans at home and away, but especially away. We take a lot of people with us and we’ve got a great atmosphere around the club at the moment.” Miller left the Memorial Stadium clutching the match ball after bagging his first professional hat-trick and he already has a place in his home reserved for the “trophy”. “It’s going on the mantlepiece. I’ve got a place for it already,” he added. “I’ve been thinking about it and it’s going somewhere where everybody can see it. It was my first hat-trick and hopefully it will be the first of many and we can push on in the Cup and the league.”

After-Match Reactions and Comments

Blues Copp It – Yet Again: Do City ever do well at Reading? Shane Long gave Steve Coppell’s men the lead in the 62nd minute before substitute Dave Kitson sealed the three points with a superbly-taken strike two minutes from time. City enjoyed the bulk of possession and saw defender Vedran Corluka miss a gilt-edged opportunity midway through the first half but moments later the visitors lost skipper Richard Dunne after he suffered a gashed shin. When the game was still goalless, City had a strong penalty shout turned down by Rennie, who booked Michael Johnson for what he saw as a dive when it appeared the City midfielder had been tripped by Ivar Ingimarsson. The overall tone of Sunday’s match reports was that City were a tad unlucky. Sven is starting to sound a bit forlorn as he faces the press after yet another non-victory. “It’s the same story, it’s three games with no goals, we have conceded four and all four were too easy compared to the City we saw earlier in the season,” he said. “Today’s goals were too easy as well, but I don’t think we are playing badly. We moved it around well in the first half but we didn’t take the few chances we created. There was a bit of bad luck, we could have had one or two penalties, but instead we had a man booked so this is a difficult moment. It is up to us to sort it out and start winning games again. We lost a bit of our discipline and organisation in the second half, they were able to counterattack but our heads did not drop. We have to cope with this and sort it out.” With Micah Richards sidelined for several more weeks, City will be hoping that the captain can recover in time for next Sunday’s game against Spurs. “I will have to talk to the doctors and physios to see what we have available, especially with our defenders. I am not sure on Dunne as yet, he has nine stitches in his leg so that is a big question mark for us. Micah is out, but Nedum maybe will be ready for Spurs next Sunday. Michael Ball twisted his knee, so I can understand why he was not at 100% for their second goal. Injuries are the first thing to sort out, but Hamann is also out for two games for sure, so there is a lot to do.”

Coppell is Happy – No, Really: Steve Coppell gave his views on his team’s goals. “The first one was from real persistence by Kevin Doyle,” he said. “He was in a wide position, and he turned and got the cross in early. Shane came in and adjusted his feet to turn it into the net. It had to be a one-touch finish and it was a delight to see that one go in. Kitson’s goal showed everything about him. I think he’s one of the best strikers in the division yet he’s been on the bench for the last two games. To have him available there and to make the impact he did is a good feeling.” Reading have now won their last two games, and are out of the relegation zone. “Today was really important because it could have got very edgy towards the end without that goal. City have the ability to strangle a game to death by keeping the ball and that was always a part of our thinking today,” Coppell added. “We had to try to keep a high tempo to disturb their rhythm and sometimes we were anxious when we had possession, but we were getting stronger as the game went on. I think Dunne going off was significant because he’s a strong captain and he’s been a great player in the heart of the defence for many years but we had to take advantage of that and as the second half wore on, I felt more and more we were going to do that.”

Video Nasty: Eriksson was angry that two penalty appeals for challenges on Michael Johnson were waved away by referee Uriah Rennie even though TV replays suggested both should have resulted in spot-kicks. Eriksson said: “I think video technology is a very good idea. I know FIFA are against it, but there were two penalties in this game and when they are missed it costs you points.” Despite his bullish comments about qualifying for Europe earlier in the week, Sven was more pessimistic about City’s chances of a UEFA spot. “If we cannot find the answers to winning then there is no point talking about Euro qualification,” he stated, before adding the classic comment used by managers when they don’t really think their team will succeed. “But as long as it is still a mathematical possibility, we have to believe it and fight for it. We cannot give up. I don’t think heads are down because the players were trying hard but they are finding things difficult and of course it affects confidence but all sides have to cope with bad runs and bad luck and the best cure is to start winning games again.”

Squad News

Fel Feels He’ll Come Good: Felipe Caicedo is determined to make his mark at City. “I have ambitions of course. In the next four years I want to score goals, win games and trophies with Manchester City. I love Manchester City because it is a big club with fanatical supporters, and I would love to give more to the club and the fans,” he said on the club website. “I always liked the Premier League because I used to watch it on television in Ecuador. It was always my dream to play at the highest level in football and I always intended to play outside my country. Sven Goran Eriksson was a huge influence in my decision to come and play for Manchester City. In every team you can learn something from somebody and this team is no exception. I’m sure I will learn lots from the coaches, players and especially the manager.”

MATCH REPORT: MCFC YOUTH 0 SFC YOUTH 1 (2-1 AGG)

City started the stronger though without threatening the goal too much. Vladimir Weiss was excellent on the right wing, tormenting the full back but the crosses were cut out by the visiting defence or the ‘keeper. Sunderland took the lead midway in the first half against the run of play but then dominated the rest of the half and a lot of the second half too. We seemed to play with one up front (sound familiar?) and everyone else in defence with no one in midfield! Throughout the game City had a handful of chances by Weiss, Sturridge and David Ball, but were all one on one’s with no support and with the player being pushed wide or cutting in from the flanks, they were unable to take advantage of the chances.

With 2 minutes to go, Sunderland put the ball in the net and four players went ballistic. The linesman though was flagging before the ‘scorer’ had put the ball in the back of the net and the linesman then came under attack verbally and definitely two got booked, maybe three. It wouldn’t have been undeserved on Sunderland had the game been taken to extra time and to be honest I could only have see one winner… and they were not playing in Blue. But City held out and were celebrating at the end.

A bizarre incident occurred right on half time. Just as the referee blew for half time, literally less than two seconds after, the fourth official held up the time added on board (1 minute) and the bloke on the tannoy announced ‘the fourth official has indicated that there will be a minimum of one minute of time added on’. By the time the tannoy bloke had finished, the fourth official was still holding up the board and the players and referee were passing him off the pitch, right in front of a bemused and angry crowd. You couldn’t make it up!

Roy Keane, sat in the second tier, was given a warm Mancunian welcome when leaving his seat at half time and the welcoming committee greeted him when he took his seat for the second half too! Disappointing crowd of 3,500 but I imagine the bad weather deterred many from attending.

Chelsea or Villa (who drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge) will play City in the two legged final.

OPINION: SCORING

Question: How do you stop Benjani scoring?
Answer: Put him in Manchester City’s first team.

In fact, that question goes for, Dickov, Bianchi, Mpenza, Vassell, Caciedo, Castillo, Samaras, the list goes on.

The fact is, we don’t create chances. We are limp in midfield. It said last week on the website that Elano should be fit for Reading. That’s good news?

I think not. We must have the weakest midfield in the country. Benjani’s experience so far bears that out.

He was third leading goal scorer in the Premier League and, apart from his début goal at OT, nothing since. Why?

We like to play it around nicely but unfortunately, our opponents no longer like to let us do that so we have to fight for a goal and that’s where it falls down.

We were very lucky against Wigan and the result at Reading was totally predictable. Expect more of the same before the end of the season.

We need two hard midfielders, one to break up attacks, and one to take the ball and make something happen. Elano will do neither. Too busy whinging about those naughty opponents having the audacity to tackle him. Wimp! And Fernandes, you come from the same mould.

They can advertise on Talk Sport all they want but they ain’t getting any of my hard earned cash for that drivel.

OPINION: ACADEMY SUCCESS

Congratulations to Jim Cassell and the Academy team who reached the FA Youth Cup final again. Jim and his team do a fantastic job, and we often see the fruits of that, when some of them break into the first team. So if any of them do make that step up I think they should be given time to settle in.

I say this because a recent player to make the move up was only given a few games to prove himself before being offloaded to West Brom for small money. I speak about Ishmael Miller, who is banging in the goals every week. Maybe given a bit longer he would have done it for us, heaven knows we need a goalscorer.

OPINION: EUROPEAN DREAMING I

I agree with Alexander Rowen’s comments re UEFA Cup and Champions’ League (MCIVTA 1411) but given our current form, and the fact it looks like only one UEFA Cup place is available for 5th place now given the giant killing feats in the FA Cup, does anyone know on what basis we would qualify for the Intertoto?

I know we and others have entered, but I thought this was offered to clubs in order of where they finished in the League. Given that Everton and Liverpool look to be fighting for 5th place, what of Blackburn and Villa and Portsmouth? Who do we need to finish ahead of to get a shot at the Intertoto?

Any thoughts from anyone? What is the lowest we could finish and who behind still to qualify for a summer visiting the outposts of Europe?

OPINION: EUROPEAN DREAMING II

It has been reported that Manchester City could qualify for Europe through the fair play system being that all teams above City can get in through their own right.

At the end of the day it’s all about being in Europe next season, but I think everyone would agree that we all would have preferred to see City qualify by being a top team.

No wonder Sven was mad at Petrov over his silly red card, it was not just missing three important games, but it could have put a dent into City’s fair play record.

If the fair play record does not work then it might be the Intertoto Cup, another back door into Europe.

So although City’s form has slumped since Christmas except for the one big win versus the Evil Empire, City could still be in Europe next season.

Frank hopes to be back in time for the Spurs game to tighten “the bolt” as he put it, he too is not pleased with the latest results.

Come on you Blues, beat Spurs (with more than one striker on the team)!

OPINION: OFFICIAL DELUSION

I was not at all surprised for MCFC officials to blame everything but themselves for the decline in attendances in supporters’ branches over recent years. Years ago the supporters’ clubs were the backbone of MCFC; during the bad spells and the very bad spells supporters’ branches stood shoulder to shoulder with the club.

Players, managers, club officials, chairmen, vice chairmen and directors more or less visited branches every week; in return we never wavered in our support for the club.

How things have changed. It started with the fans’ forums where instead of visiting local branches, the club would organise a venue and invite fans and branches to attend. Needless to say it wasn’t long before MCFC got fed up with this as they were too busy organising Gala dinners, Hall of Fame dinners, monthly dinners, special Christmas dinners, meet Sven Special dinner, Youth Academy dinners, Special end of season gala dinners and any other name of dinner they could think of.

While I have nothing whatsoever against them holding these events (except they cost an absolute fortune to attend), they held them at the expense of the ordinary fan. For example the cheapest table for 10 at the end of season dinner is £750+VAT. You must get a good scran for that amount.

The next scheme they came up with was to allow branches to have their meeting at the ground instead. A good PR exercise but in reality it was never going to be a success and I doubt if many, if any, branches have attended many this season. I think there might be one this week but the PR department never seem to put as much effort into informing fans of these events as they do of informing the big hitters of the dinners.

The club talks about its growing international fan base, but that does not mean a flying fig to the ordinary fan in the street who has stopped going because they are fed up of being taken for granted and the club still won’t take on board fans’ advice on any given number of issues, especially on how to fill the ground.

My hope is that the club takes off its blinkers and once again get the players out and about to visit the fans and once again take a real look at what the ordinary fan is all about.

OPINION: GET THE HOUSE IN ORDER

Reports are that the club’s Chairman shall be returning to the UK this week. I assume this will also mean a somewhat hasty visit to Sven’s office, as a priority. Like the rest of us, Chairman Frank cannot be too pleased at recent on-pitch performances and results; after all, it is his money and investment at stake here, amongst other things. Everything reflects upon him.

I hope this shall also put an end to the ridiculous comments (apparently emanating from Frank) of his desire for the club to be a “world-leader”. Setting us up for the fall, obviously. Best to keep quiet, very quiet, Frank and, everyone else, for that matter. This is Manchester City, after all. Keep quiet about Europe too, we’re simply nowhere close to being good enough for that route. Sven should take note.

Actions speak louder than words. So too does the Premier League’s ever-present force of gravity, as evidenced by the club’s recent slide down the table. Hardly confidence-inspiring. Really, quite the pity, after the excellent start to the season; all the earlier hard work and good fortune now being thrown to the wind.

Hopefully, during the summer, Sven shall change tactics by securing players of proven quality i.e. reliable players who can actually run midfield, score goals, etc. and, not in any way act in a childish and petulant manner when things do not go their own way (e.g. Petrov).

Finally, good luck to Richard Dunne for a full recovery from his nasty looking injury, last weekend. He’s a good and tough guy.

OPINION: NAME DROPPING

Following Jon’s request about big name Blues last issue – there’s loads!

Sir Kevin of Cummins the world’s greatest photographer, Johnny Marr, Andy and Jez Williams Doves, Jimi Goodwin Doves, Billy Duffy The Cult, Damon badly worn hat Gough, Liam and Noel G, David Potts Monacp, Mike Joyce Smiths, Ian Curtis RIP Joy Division, Nat Curtis Ian’s daughter, Sally Lindsay, Lee Dixon, Paul Scholes, Freddie Flintoff, and there’s more… will have a think.

Who do United have? Mick ruddy Hucknall.

RESULTS

12 March 2008

Aston Villa           1 - 1  Middlesbrough         39,874
Portsmouth            4 - 2  Birmingham City       20,138
Chelsea               6 - 1  Derby County          39,447

League table to 12 March 2008 inclusive

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A   GD  Pts
 1 Arsenal         29 12  3  0 32  9  7  6  1 25 12 19  9  1  57  21  36  66
 2 Manchester Utd  28 12  1  1 32  5  8  3  3 26 10 20  4  4  58  15  43  64
 3 Chelsea         28  9  5  0 29  9  9  2  3 19  9 18  7  3  48  18  30  61
 4 Liverpool       29  8  6  1 36 11  7  5  2 17  9 15 11  3  53  20  33  56
 5 Everton         29  9  2  3 27 12  8  3  4 20 12 17  5  7  47  24  23  56
 6 Aston Villa     29  8  3  4 25 18  5  7  2 27 19 13 10  6  52  37  15  49
 7 Portsmouth      29  5  7  2 20 12  8  1  6 22 19 13  8  8  42  31  11  47
 8 Blackburn R.    29  6  5  4 18 15  6  5  3 20 20 12 10  7  38  35   3  46
 9 Manchester City 29  9  4  2 21 13  3  5  6 13 20 12  9  8  34  33   1  45
10 West Ham United 29  5  5  4 16 17  6  2  7 15 18 11  7 11  31  35  -4  40
11 Tottenham H.    28  7  2  4 37 22  2  6  7 16 23  9  8 11  53  45   8  35
12 Middlesbrough   29  4  4  6 14 19  3  5  7 12 24  7  9 13  26  43 -17  30
13 Wigan Athletic  29  6  3  5 17 14  1  4 10  9 28  7  7 15  26  42 -16  28
14 Reading         29  7  1  7 17 21  1  3 10 17 34  8  4 17  34  55 -21  28
15 Newcastle Utd   29  5  5  5 18 24  2  2 10 12 32  7  7 15  30  56 -26  28
16 Sunderland      29  7  3  4 17 14  0  3 12  9 33  7  6 16  26  47 -21  27
17 Birmingham City 29  4  5  5 19 17  2  3 10 14 28  6  8 15  33  45 -12  26
18 Bolton Wndrs    28  5  4  6 18 15  1  3  9 10 27  6  7 15  28  42 -14  25
19 Fulham          29  3  5  7 18 26  0  6  8  8 23  3 11 15  26  49 -23  20
20 Derby County    29  1  4  9  8 24  0  3 12  6 39  1  7 21  14  63 -49  10

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

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[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

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

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

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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: