Newsletter #1925

One of the unusual aspects of recent times has been the increasing frequency of ‘the most important game in our history’… It was almost a weekly event in the run up to the title for example.

I’m not suggesting tonight’s game is that. However, in its broadest context it is probably vying for a position in the top 10 in many regards.

I sadly, won’t be there (Dad, give them a cheer from me please!) but it will be a packed stadium for what could be a classic night of European football. Genuinely, genuinely exciting.

I would pass comment on the Villa game. Words fail however!

Anyway… Onwards and upwards… Let’s remember Bert and Uwe Rösler’s Granddad and give Pep and his boys a night they won’t forget in a hurry!

VILLA PARK

I have not much to say (and I know it is early days), but despite last week, I am not convinced about the managerial change as yet. One point from nine away from home is poor bearing in mind the teams played.

It seems to me that too many City supporters on here, and on blogs, have forgotten Mancini and what he did for the club far too easily. It is obviously academic but I doubt whether a team under his control would have conceded the lead and especially a point in the circumstances of today’s match at Villa Park. The defence just seems to get the jitters. Are we missing the likes of the much maligned Gareth Barry (and de Jong before that), sitting protecting the back four?

Don’t get me wrong – I want to be proved wrong!

Teams like Cardiff, Hull, Stoke and Villa are going to put pressure on us by chasing and harrying because they don’t have enough quality to play us off the park, so when we get ahead by just the odd goal we have to stay ahead even if this means adopting a defensive strategy. The team’s dominant play in the three previous matches resulted in twelve scored with one against but there are always times in a season when the goals do not come despite the possession and then it is time, not necessarily to park the bus, but perhaps to be slightly less offensive minded. Navas for Nasri at 2-1 today might be a case in point?

It is scant consolation that West Brom took all three points at Stretford.

Good for a laugh though!

CITY

Well the match against the Rags was satisfying but I can understand Steve O’Brien’s feelings as that is just what I felt like last week (I did not watch the last few races!) because of the result of another sporting event in which a NZ team lost when they seemingly had it in the bag; I can relate it to City being 0-6 up against the Rags with 5 minutes to go and plus “Fergie” time and seeing them lose 7-6!

Wigan result was nice to read about but have not seen anything of that match here in the country of the “Long White Cloud” but looking forward this afternoon (our Sunday) to watching the Villa match. However, that brings me to the feeling I have that we in NZ could have done without the entrepreneurs and geeks thinking they should have a share of any “profit” there may be in showing Premier League matches to the NZ TV/Internet viewers! Anyway, in a few hours I get to watch the AB’s in Argentina so here’s to a win against the Pumas but after last week’s happenings with an NZ sporting team I shall just keep my fingers crossed but at least last week the girls of the NZ football team won a tournament in Switzerland!

There was asked in a recent MCIVTA a question about City’s emblem (eagle etc.); did I miss the answer? If no answer has been forthcoming so far could Gary James give an answer please?

AND FINALLY… TOO FUNNY…

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/341560/Moyes-in-Liverpool-Arsenal-and-Chelsea-fans-launch-campaign-to-save-Man-Utd-boss

MCIVTA FAQ [v1112.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

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[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/Twitter

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://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/manchester/.

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

http://www.satfootball.com/ provides a listing of Premier League games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. A useful site for North American viewers is http://msn.foxsports.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://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Usenet

[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] Do any squad members have their own Twitter accounts?

A list of genuine player accounts is maintained at http://twitter.com/#!/MCFC/players

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth historical 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.

Philip Alcock, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: