Newsletter #1660

News tonight of a new online coaching development at City, squad changes with our latest arrivals and potential leavers, together with an international Blues round-up.

We have opinion on man management, formations and the usual requests.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Cyber City: The long-awaited ‘Cityecademy’ was launched this week and will provide an insight into how youngsters become talented football stars. The online coaching system, which includes videos of coaches, players and Academy talent showing how it should be done, will teach young players the basics of the game whilst also featuring technical drills and skills. The club’s ecademy provides an alternative coaching style for youngsters and is expected to be taken up by schools and junior clubs across the country.

Squad News

Number Swap is Dunne Deal:The arrival of Italian striker Mario Balotellihas caused a change of squad numbers, only oneweek after the initial list was revealed.19-year-old Greg Cunningham was kind enough tooffer the club’s new arrival his favoured number45 shirt and will now wear Richard Dunne’s oldnumber, 22. Irish Academy graduate Cunninghamadmits that it was no problem for him to handover the number 45 and claimed that it was anhonour to be wearing the shirt of the former Cityskipper: “I had no real attachment to it (thenumber 45) except that I made my début wearingit. I was asked if I minded changing shirtnumbers and I didn’t have any problem with thatat all. I’ve taken on No.22 now, which is RichardDunne’s old shirt number, so I’ve big boots tofill! Hopefully, I can do the shirt justice asobviously I’m a big admirer of Dunney.”

Balotelli thanked the left back for being so thoughtful: “I have worn the number all my football life and wanted to carry on here at City. Greg was kind enough to swap numbers and I thank him.”

The shirt swap came in the same week that Cunningham pledged his future to the club by signing a new 4-year-deal and though he’ll face stiff competition from Wayne Bridge and Aleksandar Kolarov for a place in the first XI, Greg is more than up for the challenge: “I’m delighted to have signed a new deal with City. Now I need to impress the manager as much as I can and get as much game time as I can, too. I’ve been working hard and it’s been an unbelievable year for me so far. To get this new deal sorted and win my first full cap for my country has exceeded all my expectations.”

How to ‘Keep Them Happy: Hart or Given? Hart or Given? Hart or Given? That will be the question that has raced around City Chief Roberto Mancini’s head all summer as he had to decide who would line up between the sticks for his fledgling side. Given, signed by Mark Hughes during his tenure at the club, has never put a foot wrong for the Citizens and to drop him would be a huge blow for the exceptional 34-year-old. Hart? Well the newly-established England number one has been a different player since returning from loan at Birmingham City, having picked up the PFA Goalkeeper of the Year during his time at St Andrews. Whilst Hart may have been picked for the trip to Spurs, Mancini has explained that no-one has a fixed place in the starting XI and City defender Vincent Kompany told reporters this week that he is chuffed that the decision is not his to make: “I’m a huge fan of both goalkeepers so I’m just happy that I’m not on any panel having to make the decision who plays! Both Joe and Shay are world class and as a defender it’s a great feeling to have either of them as our last line of defence, but again, I’m just glad it’s not me who has to pick who plays.”

Having chosen Hart at the weekend, rumour is rife that Given may be on his way either to Arsenal or to Fulham, but Mancini hopes the Irish stopper will choose to remain at Eastlands: “I hope that Shay can stay here with us. At this moment, Joe plays. Because we have four competitions, we need Shay. I’m sorry for one goalkeeper but today I chose Joe and I’m very happy to have Shay Given. I spoke to him. He’s a big name, he’s a big goalkeeper, he respects my decision.”

Sweeping Away the Competition: It’s not only the ‘keepers who are facing stiff competition for places as winger Shaun Wright Phillips knows. SWP may have been a fan favourite at City for the best part of 12 years – we’ll gloss over his spell at Chelsea – but he, like the rest of the squad, will have to fight off the likes of David Silva and Adam Johnson for a place in Mancini’s XI. But the Academy graduate is keen for City to keep adding quality to the squad as he believes competition is good for all involved: “Everyone knows you have to work hard to stay in this team and it was great to start the first game of the season. There are plenty of games and while we have a big squad, there will be opportunities to play. On a personal level, I never worry – I’m always up for the challenge, especially at City, and will keep my head down and work as hard as I can to play as often as I can. I’m really happy here and I’m not going anywhere – this could be a great season for the club and I don’t want to miss a thing.”

The Rumour Mill

Super Mario: The two longest transfer sagas of the summer were completed this week as Mario Balotelli and James Milner joined the club. Having agreed an undisclosed fee for Inter Milan’s Italian striker, Balotelli was finally flown in to Manchester this week to complete a medical and put pen to paper on a 5-year-contract. Balotelli, who has often been a controversial figure during his time in Italy, admits that the opportunity to work with former boss Roberto Mancini was too good to turn down: “It was very important that Roberto Mancini is the manager here. It was one of the most important factors in my move – if he wasn’t here, I probably wouldn’t have come. He gave me my start in the senior team at Inter and he showed faith in me. I was sorry to leave my family and friends in Italy, but I’m very happy to be here at City from a professional point of view. I had a lot of teams in for me in the summer, but my first choice was always Manchester City.”

The City chief has stated that Balotelli can become one of the world’s best players and revealed that he is delighted to have completed the signing of the 20-year-old: “I think that Mario is one of the best players of his age in Europe, and I very happy to be working with him again. His style of play will suit the Premier League, and because he is still so young there is a big chance for him to improve. He is a strong and exciting player, and City fans will enjoy watching him. If he learns the game here in England quickly, then in two years or so he could be right up there with players like Carlos Tevez as the best there is. He has the talent to go to the very top.”

Milner’s No Villain: Midfielders James Milner and Stephen Ireland have swapped clubs in one of the most interesting deals of the summer. Milner left Villa on good terms and even scored in his final game for the club, during their 3-0 opening win over West Ham. Unlike when Gareth Barry moved to Eastlands, Villa fans seemed to have made their peace with losing their prize asset and The Villains gave the player a fair send off as he left the club’s training ground on Monday. Mancini has chased the 24-year-old for some time and believes the versatile England international will be a great addition to the club: “I am very happy to have James with us; everybody knows we have admired him for some time. He is an excellent midfielder, who can play in a number of positions. This is important for the team, and I am looking forward to seeing him play for us. We have a very strong squad, and this signing is a very important one for us. I think he can also improve and be a great player for Manchester City for a long time.”

The deal for the former Leeds United player is reported to be worth £16 million, plus Ireland, and Milner has one ambition in mind as he joins the club – to win the title: “The last thing he said to me was ‘be ready for the next game’, and then he said ‘be ready to win the Premier League’, and that’s my ultimate aim – that’s what I want to do and why I’m here. There’s a lot of competition to get there, it’s where we all want to be. I’m ambitious and I want to win trophies here. I believe this is a great place to do that and I believe we will do it. Hopefully, sooner rather than later.”

Former Villa team-mate Gareth Barry is chuffed to be re-united with Milner once again and hopes the England international will bring a new dimension to City’s team: “James brings energy and quality to any team. You only have to look at the number of goals and chances he has created over the last couple of seasons. He is always in the top two or three in terms of assists. He would be a great addition to any team.”

Stephen Ireland spent eight long years at the club and the Academy graduate will be fondly remembered – if only for his famous Superman celebration – but it was time for the Irishman to move on and no doubt all City fans wish him well at his new club.

Dream Come True: Welsh striker Craig Bellamy made the move home this week as he joined boyhood club Cardiff City. The former Liverpool striker has decided to drop down a division rather than move to any of City’s Premier League rivals and has moved on a season long loan deal. City favourite ‘Bellers’ claims that he enjoyed being a part of City’s history and dismissed reports of his being unsettled at City as wide of the mark: “There is nothing difficult about this (move). I had the greatest time at Manchester City at a great period in their history. Khaldoon and Garry are two great men. I was bought by City to take the club on to the next stage and I feel I played a big part in doing that. The players they’re signing are incredible. It is a great moment for the club. The next couple of years I’m sure they’ll get the Premier League title, and I hope they do. There is no ill feeling. I hope Roberto Mancini does well; he is a top manager.”

Press speculation would have you believe that City’s hierarchy forced the Welshman out of the club, but after Bellamy praised Chairman Al Mubarek and CEO Cook in his first press conference at his new club, Cook made a point of thanking the controversial striker for his time at City: “He has been a great performer for us since joining in January 2009, and I would like to go on record as thanking him for his effort and determination to our cause. There was a lot of interest in Craig from a number of Premier League clubs, but he indicated that he didn’t want to settle for just another club, but wanted to go to help his hometown team and try to help them win promotion to the top flight. It was an admirable decision, and we wish him and Cardiff City all the very best for his new challenge.”

Hammers Grant Caicedo Chance: West Ham manager Avram Grant looks set to offer Felipe Caicedo a second crack at the Premier League. The 21-year-old has fallen down the pecking order at Eastlands and is now set for a temporary move down South. Having arrived during Sven Goran Eriksson’s time at the club, Caicedo never truly established himself in the club’s starting line-up and will now seek first team opportunities at Upton Park.

Rumours: At the time of writing, Vladimir Weiss has made his way to Glasgow for a medical at Rangers. In a week where he has also been linked with Premier League new boys Newcastle United and German side Stuttgart, the Slovakian youngster seems set to complete a move north of the border. Despite reports claiming that the move will only be temporary, there are questions as to whether Weiss may in fact move to Ibrox on a permanent deal. This looks set to be cleared up within 48 hours.

If Mancini was hoping to replace Weiss then moves for Everton’s Mikel Arteta and Werder Bremen’s Mesut Özil would now seem to be off the table. Spanish playmaker Arteta has pledged his future to the Merseyside club at the same time that World Cup star Özil moved to Real Madrid for a fee of £12.5 million. The Italian boss may have other targets in mind though. Ajax’s Gregory van der Wiel and Luis Suarez are expected to leave Holland this summer, having impressed in South Africa this year. Where they’ll move to is yet to be seen. Meanwhile, reported top target Zlatan Ibrahimovic has apparently turned his back on a move to Eastlands. The Swedish target-man is said to be unsettled in Spain and though it was expected he may welcome a move to re-join former boss Mancini at CoMS, ‘Ibra’ has supposedly told his agent that he has no plans of moving to Manchester.

Other rumours suggest that Asmir Begovic of Stoke City may replace Shay Given if he chooses to leave the club, but the Blues would face stiff competition from Chelsea. Joleon Lescott has been linked with a move to Spurs and Roque Santa Cruz was said to be preparing for a move away from Eastlands, only for Mancini to then say that there are places in his squad for Given, Santa and Robinho.

Post-Match Reaction

Joe Full of Hart as he Spurs City On: Mancini’s first big decision of the season was nothing but a success as Joe Hart’s heroics earned the Citizens a point at White Hart Lane. Much had been written of the Blues’ goalkeeping options, with both Joe Hart and Shay Given providing top class cover. In the end it was the Englishman who Mancini opted for and a string of magnificent saves, the best of which, coming from a looping 25 yards strike from Tottenham’s Assou Ekotto, earned Hart the man-of-the-match award. Shaun Wright Phillips wasted the best of City’s few chances, taking all too long to get his shot away after Ekotto had slipped up and come the final whistle, the travelling City faithful were happy to come back home with a point on the board. The main worry arising from the fixture is an injury suffered by Aleksandar Kolarov. The Serbian left back is believed to have damaged his ankle ligaments and it is yet to be revealed how long he will face on the sidelines.

Following an excellent defensive display, reliable centre back Vincent Kompany praised the performance as a stepping stone for what will hopefully be a successful season: “Defensively, it’s the kind of performance we need to make week in, week out. We had some good moments on the ball, too, but at times you could see that this is pretty much a new team. There was the odd pass that went astray because the understanding maybe isn’t there at the moment, but that will come before long. It’s worth remembering that players like Nigel de Jong and David Silva have only recently returned after the World Cup, so things are only going to get better as the weeks go by. There is huge expectation surrounding our club this season, but that’s fine as far as I’m concerned. I just want to keep upping my game and be consistent each week – regarding everything else; I’m totally calm about things.”

Mancini was happy to take a point from London and asserted that his side will only get better the more they play together: “I was pleased with the spirit and the fight at Tottenham. They are a good side that has been together for a long period of time. We still need time to gel as a unit.”

International Blues

A number of City stars were on display last week as the boys lined up for their countries in the most inconvenient international friendly on the calendar. Only days before the Premier League was due to kick off, thirteen of Mancini’s squad were made available to represent their respective nations. Adhering to his promise to “give youth a chance”, Fabio Capello dropped 13 of his World Cup squad for England’s 2-1 victory over Hungary. Though City winger Shaun Wright Phillips became an unfortunate victim of the Italian’s cuts, Joe Hart and Gareth Barry retained their places in the squad and were joined by Adam Johnson, who narrowly missed out on the final World Cup squad this summer. All three Blues played the full game for City and impressed in their own ways. The versatile Johnson looked unfazed by his step up to the international scene and proved a constant outlet on the wings. Whilst he maybe should have finished a first half chance to score his first goal for his country, the former Middlesbrough winger came out of the game having further enhanced his reputation. Gareth Barry went about his job in usual no-nonsense style, whilst Joe Hart again increased calls for him to be established the ‘number one’ for both his club and country.

Across the water, four of the Blues’ squad were involved in the Republic of Ireland’s opening game at their newly developed Aviva Stadium. Shay Given’s Ireland came up against a managerless Argentina and the City stopper will have been glad that club team-mate Carlos Tevez remained on the bench for the whole game. Given played the full ninety minutes for Ireland, the first time he has completed a whole match since picking up an injury at Arsenal in April. In the second half, Pablo Zabaleta and Greg Cunningham were introduced to the fray for either side and it was Zab’ who was to get one over on his team-mates as the World Cup quarter finalists claimed a 1-0 win.

City’s new-boy Mario Balotelli was handed his Italian début by Cesare Prandelli as Italy took on the Ivory Coast at West Ham’s Upton Park. Prandelli, new to the job himself having succeeded Marcelo Lippi only last month, opted for the controversial 20-year-old over his more experienced forwards, but Balotelli was unable to make his mark as City centre back Kolo Toure scored the only goal for ‘The Elephants’. Kolo’s brother Yaya also played in the African side’s win.

Elsewhere, there were mixed fortunes for the Blues. The out-going Craig Bellamy scored in Wales’ 5-1 thrashing of Luxembourg and City new boy David Silva scored a last minute equalizer in Spain’s 1-1 draw with Mexico. Vincent Kompany’s own goal however, was enough to see Belgium succumb to a 1-0 loss at the hands of Finland.

OPINION: ENTENTE CORDIALE

I agree with Ernie Barrow’s assessment of the Bellamy situation. Although Bellamy won the initial public relations war in this clash with Mancini, we don’t know the whole story. But there are three points to be made: Bellamy was surplus to Mancini’s requirements, a potential disruptive force in the dressing room (his speciality) and a potential threat if he moved to Spurs or some other close rival, as seemed likely.

So the win-win solution of paying the player’s salary to join Cardiff could fairly be called brilliant. Bellamy, wallet still fat, seems happy to be ‘home’ and with some chump change, City have got him out of harm’s way.

But the over-arching point to be made here is that Mancini knows he has to deliver the goods and deliver them fast or he could be out of work by Christmas. He’s playing a high stakes game with a rich man’s money. The pressure to succeed is immense and his focus has to be total. An errant player nipping at his heels at this delicate juncture was guaranteed to be kicked into touch even though in Bellamy’s case the landing proved golden.

Things have happened (are happening) at City that I don’t agree with but Mancini has created his own team with apparent clarity of vision. Agree or disagree, should respect that.

If Mancini succeeds, Bellamy will quickly become a distant memory. If he fails, Bellamy could be back at Eastlands playing under a new regime.

OPINION: FORMATIONS

To Glyn’s question about 3 DMC: Mancini played a diamond formation at Inter with 3 DMC and a creative midfielder at the top. In such a formation the full backs support the midfield aggressively almost as wing backs when on attack. Both Kolarov and Boateng are this kind of player. City played this formation last season once against Bolton until the first goal was scored, Adam Johnson playing the AMC rôle and moving all over the place.

This was also the formation that was used to start the Valencia game.

The problem that City have is that Tevez is not a natural centre forward. He plays more of a second striker rôle. Ironically this made the pseudo 4-2-3-1 work so well at the end of last year with Bellamy on the left and Johnson on the right.

If the diamond is to be used, and that has been my expectation since Small Berries was bought, then Tevez will have to find a rapport with whomever is playing the AMC rôle (probably Silva) otherwise you’ll get what we had on Saturday, which is the two of them too close together.

OPINION: NO-ONE LIKES US

If City aren’t careful we will end up the most ‘hated’ club in the Premier League, and I don’t mean because of our wealth and a posse of ‘big-name’ signings. I mean because of the club, or maybe Cook’s, or both, attitude, that if we don’t want the player, neither can our rivals. Every team’s a rival, whether it’s Spurs or Stoke, Chelsea or Blackpool – we still have to beat them.

Talk about ‘picking up your ball and going home in a sulk’. While I realise that if we sign more than we can accommodate, players have to move on, saying that you can’t go to this or that club because that might do well for them, smacks of being ‘bigger than the game’.

Be interested in the phrase ‘restraint of trade’, and how that would stand up in court, if someone wants to try it.

Just a footnote to the Spurs game: it’s going to take weeks for this side to ‘gel’, due to the hopeless pre-season and I hope the season isn’t gone by then. Another season of starting all over again – now that’s a familiar story isn’t it?

REQUEST: LIFT TO SUNDERLAND

Is anyone out there travelling from Milton Keynes to Sunderland on Sunday 29th August? I am willing to share costs if anyone has a spare seat.

REQUEST: MCFC SITE

Will someone inform MCFC that on the official web site in the Fans section if you look into the “downloads” you will only see last season’s downloads including only last season’s fixtures (2009/2010).

Please someone update it, and keep it as the best web site not only in the Premier League, but in football all over the world.

REQUEST: 1977 PROGRAMME

I wonder if anyone can help? I am trying to get hold of a copy or image of the City vs. Spurs programme from 7th May 1977 for a special occasion. If anyone has a copy or can help, please could they contact me?

REQUEST: NEW BOOK

Once in a Blue Moon – Life, Love and Manchester City

Many Blue Moons ago I used to write for Noel Bayley’s classic City fanzines ‘Electric Blue’ and ‘Bert Trautmann’s Helmet’ under the nickname of ‘Worthy’.

I would like to draw your attention to a recently published book entitled ‘Once in a Blue Moon – Life, Love and Manchester City’, which is my autobiographical account of watching the Blues from the late 1960s to the present day. I promise you it is like no other you may have read in the past.

The book is written in a humorous style, which follows the life of a typical working class ‘likely lad’ brought up on a council estate in Wythenshawe and educated in a 1970’s secondary modern high school in the South Manchester area. It gives the reader a graphic insight into the education system of the era: from meat and two veg school meals to cane and two straps corporal punishment.

The predominant theme of the book is football, with stories and anecdotes as a lifelong and tormented supporter of our beloved Blues. In addition, there are several chapters detailing my turbulent career as an amateur footballer and manager, which will resonate with anyone who has been involved with football at its most basic level. By contrast, over the years I have also been a keen England supporter, starting with the days when the Scots used to invade Wembley (and nick our goal posts). Many a tale from my travels following the England national team are included as is a thread relating to the Manchester ‘Indie’ music scene and also a chapter on the ‘joys’ of cricket.

The book contains a unique social history as it progresses from the 1960s until the present day. Although essentially a comedy, it includes serious personal reflections on the consequences of my near fatal road accident during childhood, a philosophical outlook on life and love and the loss of a dear and close friend.

‘Once in a Blue Moon’ is written to appeal to both young and old alike and is comprised of 40 chapters fully illustrated with 38 colour story-related photographs. It contains a witty and amusing foreword from former City star Peter Barnes and is my passionate account of what it’s been like to have been a loyal and travelling Blue for over 40 years. The book is available for order on Amazon and will soon be on sale in Waterstones and certain branches of WH Smith and in both City Stores.

How can you go wrong with a book at just £8.99, which includes a guarantee to put a smile on your face? If not with 288 pages, you could always use it as a door stopper.

RESULTS AND TABLE

16 August 2010

Manchester United     3 - 0  Newcastle United      75,221

League table to 18 August 2010 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v1011.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour (Alex Rowen)         : 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 by email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

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

http://www.mcivta.com/ 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. You can also follow on www.twitter.com/mcivta to get the latest updates.

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

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/ and the official club Twitter page at www.twitter.com/mcfc. The club also has a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mcfcofficial

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

The Official Supporters’ Club and the Centenary Supporters’ Association have merged to become the Manchester City Supporters’ Club (http://www.mcfcsupportersclub.com/). The club also recognise the Manchester City Disabled Supporters’ Association (http://www.mcdsa.co.uk/).

[6] Where can I find out about Points of Blue?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears on the club website under the “Fans” heading (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Fans).

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

Live match commentary can be found on the club website. The Radio Manchester pre- and post-match phone-in is available on the web at http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/manchester/hi/tv_and_radio/.

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

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