Newsletter #1679

A couple of games of mixed fortunes for City as we enjoyed success in Europe and disappointment in the league. We have match reports and views tonight on both games thanks to Phil, Ernie and Thomas and a look at the refereeing issues we’ve experienced of late.

There is also opinion on our progress and breaking into the top four, another tribute to Malcolm Allison, a bit on the Old Trafford saga and the usual requests.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’: MCFC 0 AFC 3

Before the game there was a moving memorial service and tribute to Malcolm Allison in City Square and warm minute of applause in the stadium for City’s greatest ever coach. Whilst this result wasn’t the right one, City’s players honoured Big Mal with a worthy performance here. He surely would have loved coaching a team containing the likes of Hart, Kompany, de Jong, Silva and Tevez. Rest In Peace Malcolm Allison.

Indeed, City’s ten men bravely took the game to Arsenal for 85 minutes, and had chances to win the game in the first half alone but ultimately fell to an undeserved three goal defeat to an ever-skilled, but cynical Arsenal team. City could have been in front within three minutes after Tevez beat Djourou for pace down the right. Silva flicked his centre goalwards but Fabianski made a very good save to deny him. Then came the game’s turning point. Chamakh chased a long, raking pass and fell under last man Boyata’s challenge just outside the box. Referee Clattenburg ushered the players away, including the obnoxious Fabregas who was in his face brandishing an imaginary red card, which Clattenburg duly flourished at Boyata. Whilst Boyata was the last man, was he “denying a goal scoring opportunity” as the ball was running through at pace towards Hart? There was enough doubt that Chamakh would have been able to get to the ball to suggest that Clattenburg’s red card was very harsh.

‘One nil to the Arsenal’ chanted the Gooners. ‘One nil to the referee’ came the retort from City, followed by ‘Who’s the Cockney in the black?’

Mancini pushed Yaya Toure to centre half for a while, before shuffling the defence and moving Boateng to centre half and Barry to left back until the break. City rallied well despite being down to ten men and took the game to Arsenal with great spirit. Silva was at the centre of City’s best play and his combination with Tevez is one to savour. These two were the main creative threats and we always had a chance while they were on the pitch. However, Arsene Wenger and his men had other ideas.

There is no bigger cry baby than Arsene Wenger when his players are tackled or come up against anybody remotely physical, yet here he was sending his team out to kick City. What a hypocrite Arsene Wenger is. Whilst his Arsenal team play excellent passing football they are as niggly and dirty opponents, as you’ll find in the Premier League. Arsenal were not averse to using cynical kicks and trips if it meant stopping City. None more so than when Tevez was forced off early in the 2nd half after a kick by Song on his thigh before the break. Of course, you can bet your last pennies that Wenger ‘did not see’ this tackle. It is often said that refereeing decisions even themselves out over a season. Whilst it is true that City enjoyed good fortune in refereeing decisions against Newcastle and Blackpool, referee Mark Clattenburg’s performance in this game had nothing to do with fortune. Having already been booked for a cynical trip earlier, Fabregas repeated the trip on Silva on the halfway line as City broke, but instead of showing Fabregas a second yellow and red card, Clattenburg booked Djourou. It was clearly a 2nd bookable offence for Fabregas, and Fabregas should have had a second yellow and red card. On the same day that Gary Neville was booked after he hacked down Stoke’s Matthew Etherington and then failed to get a 2nd yellow and red card for repeating the same offence, it is once more fair and valid to ask: why do referees favour the Establishment clubs: Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United?

It was though an uphill task and Arsenal made their man advantage pay when the skilful Nasri exchanged passes with Arshavin and scored from the inside right position after 21 minutes. City still refused to buckle and should have been level when Richards burst on to Milner’s perceptive ball and turned inside two defenders, but he could not wrap his weaker left foot around the ball sufficiently and his effort curled wide of the left hand post. It could have been 2-0 but Hart saved Fabregas’s penalty after Kompany had brought down Fabregas, who true to form, made a meal of his tumble. At the other end Silva was unable to capitalise on a good opportunity before the break, but he remained bright and inventive throughout. He showed great skill to beat 2 men in the second half and shoot across goal. Fabianski, who was having a storming game, saved well to thwart the young Spaniard. The game was over as a contest when substitute Bridge failed to clear his lines, instead tentatively stabbing a right foot out that set up Song for the killer second goal. City inevitably tired after that and it became increasingly difficult to mount attacks as Arsenal passed the ball around the full extent of the pitch. Still, much to City’s credit, no heads went down and Adebayor should have scored with a header from a Silva corner that was flicked onto him by the excellent Kompany. Arsenal’s third goal should not have stood as the ball was out when Nasri played the decisive pass up to sub Bendtner. The quality of officialdom in England is very poor indeed. Maybe it’s time to bring in officials from abroad. Though far from perfect, it has been obvious that those who officiate in European matches are a whole lot more objective and even-handed than the vain, publicity seeking officials that we are served up with in this country.

The City team must not be disheartened by this setback. The boys in blue played well and can take great credit for continuing to work hard and never give up. They most certainly did not deserve this score line. They must put it behind them, and be ready to beat Wolves next Saturday.

Att: 47,393
Ratings:
Hart: Fine penalty save amongst others: good handling throughout 8
Richards: A good, tenacious effort and a real threat going forward. Should have scored 7
Boyata: A little naïve in allowing Chamakh first run on him but was unlucky to be sent off 5
Kompany: The penalty aside, this was another very good performance by Kompany 8
Boateng: Whether it be left back or centre back, his quality shone through 7
Milner: Never say die spirit. Should have had an assist when his clever ball played Richards in 7
Yaya Toure: Good energy in midfield and when pressed into defence. Was missed when he went off 7
de Jong: His great effort to stem the time was in vain. A skilful distributor in midfield 7
Barry: Tireless again without it really being his day either 6
Silva: The silky-skilled Silva, is indeed a delight to watch: a tireless team player, he prompted and probed all afternoon 8
Tevez: Always a threat until kicked out of the game 7
Subs:
Adebayor: Was definitely up for it and didn’t sulk. Should have scored though 6
Bridge: Very poor indeed. It was like playing with 9 men at times after the break. Zabaleta would have been a far better option. Bridge’s most significant contribution was to tee up Song for the decisive 2nd goal with a tentative stab at the ball. Surely his days at City are numbered 3
Balotelli: No real impact 5
Refwatch: Mark Clattenburg: Grossly incompetent or biased towards the the $ky 4 of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and the Rags: it is difficult to tell which applies to Clattenburg: 0 (Zero, Nul points, Kuch Nahi)
Best opponent: Mark Clattenburg.
Best person in a red shirt with white sleeves: Nasri 8

MATCH VIEW: MCFC 0 AFC 3

City gave a great tribute to the late Malcolm Allison before the kick off, with a line up of all his old players. The stadium cheered for a minute to show great respect for a City legend.

The first 3 minutes saw lively attacks on the Gooners’ goal as Silva and Tevez had saves made from excellent attempts on goal. Then in the fourth minute we saw referee Clattenburg send young Boyata off for a sliding tackle on Chamakh; it did not look that Chamakh had an honest goal scoring opportunity at the time and a sending off so early in the game was a harsh decision by the unpopular Mark Clattenburg. I feel a yellow card would have been appropriate so early in the game. The City players put up a brave fight but the game plan changed completely as Tevez the captain limped off just after the start of the second half.

Micah Richards was my man of the match: he made some great efforts with his runs down the wing and defended with some very good tackling. Kompany had a good game but was unfortunate to bring down a player in the penalty area; Joe Hart made a magnificent save.

Arsenal played some very good football, and on the day one could not say that they did not deserve the victory, which they got with the help of the referee.

City are still in the top four, and it is a long way to go until the end of the season. When the transfer window opens I would be looking for a creative midfield player to strengthen the squad.

In Roberto I trust!
Come on you Blues!

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’: MCFC 3 LPFC 1

David Silva starred in a virtuoso performance and Emmanuel Adebayor bagged a hat-trick as City recorded a victory over dogged Polish opponents, and moved three points clear at the top of the Group table.

In a wonderful act of support, Roberto Mancini made Nigel de Jong captain for the night in the absence of Carlos Tevez, who was rested.

Lech Poznan were backed by 7,500 very noisy fans (3,000 had come over from Poland in our traditional away end with the remaining 4,500 ex-pats based all over the UK, filling the top tier of the Kippax), who gave us a demonstration of great choreography with their ‘wave effect’. Indeed the Poznan support was excellent throughout and certainly added to the enjoyment of the occasion. The scene was set for a thoroughly enjoyable European night. It was the sort of night that Malcolm Allison would have relished, and a video tribute to him was beamed to us before the match.

City took the lead after 14 minutes with Adebayor’s smart turn and shot inside the right hand post, after a clever flick by Patrick Vieira. This was the cue for the City fans in the singing section to amusingly ape the ‘wave effect’. Vieira revelled in his midfield rôle. The slower pace of European football certainly suited the classy Vieira, whose clever decision making and accurate passing gave City a firm platform in midfield. The veteran midfielder has adapted his game superbly and his experience will be crucial if we are to progress in the Cup competitions, and also as a steadying influence to close games out.

It was an entertaining game that was lit up by the brilliant passing, deft touches and intelligence of David Silva who is fast become a favourite at Eastlands. His contribution was key to City securing the victory: in the first half he crossed for Adebayor to head in his second, and he supplied the Togolese striker with the ammunition to complete his hat-trick with 17 minutes to go. Roberto Mancini has certainly brought a gem of a player here.

Two-nil can be a dangerous lead to have, and City were slow starters in the second half as Lech Poznan upped the tempo significantly, and it was no surprise when they pulled one back through Tshibamba within 5 minutes of the restart. Lescott and Zabaleta failed to clear an attack decisively and the Poznan midfielder drilled home. This was the cue for at least 50 Poznan nutters to take off their shirts (Geordie style) to reveal some wobbling Polish flesh.

Despite the fact that the Poznan fans were mainly chanting in Polish (they did manage one ‘You’re supposed to be at home’), this didn’t stop the banter from flowing, and they were reminded that ‘If you can’t talk proper, shut your mouth’ by the home contingent!

It was rather disjointed fayre at times, with City giving the ball away repeatedly against decent opponents who didn’t quite have the quality to punish us decisively. Tshibamba went close again with a shot but City carried the greater threat ultimately. Silva jinked his way into the box but his shot was pushed around the post by the Poznan ‘keeper; and Adebayor was denied by a fine tackle when it looked like he would complete his hat-trick. Adebayor was not to be denied his match ball though and he made the game safe in the 73rd minute after a fine curling ball from Silva. Adebayor’s confidence will doubtless have been boosted by his hat-trick, but he must show the same effort levels in all games if he is feature regularly here.

It was a case of ‘Dobranoc’ (goodnight) Poznan and mission accomplished for City. We are in, ahem, ‘pole’ position now to win the group, and with the right application, if we can avoid defeat in Poznan and Turin, and complete a double over Salzburg, top spot and an easier knock-out stage draw will be ours. If City are to do better on our travels then, Silva and Vieira aside, the passing must improve.

Att: 33,388
Ratings:
Hart: Handling not always assured and kicking still a little erratic 6
Richards: Steady enough 6
Boyata: Needs to improve distribution but some good tackles 6
Lescott: Looked shaky at times and seems to be doing his darndest to give penalties away 5
Zabaleta: A good, tenacious return including one exquisite long pass but he and Lescott should have cleared the danger for their goal 7
SWP: Gave the ball away time after time but never stopped battling 5
de Jong: Uncharacteristically gave the ball away in the penalty area on one occasion early on but played the captain’s rôle in a solid performance 6
Vieira: A superbly poised performance laced with guile 8
Johnson: Some lovely skill down the right and often had the beating of his full back. Struck the bar late on after a thrilling run 7
Silva: An exquisite array of intelligent passes (two of which were assists) and a mazy run made him a delight to watch 9
Adebayor: Took his goals really well and could have had more 8
Subs:
Jo: No real impact 5
Yaya Toure: Steady 6
Best oppo: Tshibamba: Good finish but should have had another 7
Refwatch: Alexandru Dan Tudor (Romania): Very, very good. Let the game flow without fuss. The European referees are far better than the preening egos that blight the English Premier League 9

MATCH VIEW: MCFC 3 LPFC 1

So in the end a fairly comfortable night for City who alternated some highly potent attacking threat with some rather shambolic and inattentive defending, neither benefiting to the maximum from the former or suffering unduly from the latter.

Fantastic support from the away fans who appeared to be in both a large block in the away end as well as spread liberally through the rest of the stadium. Indeed, it’s lucky they were there as there was little home atmosphere generated for much of the game. Great coordination of scarves (whirling and holding up while bouncing and swaying around also excellently subverted by City fans after the first goal went in).

A relatively even start with City gradually exerting dominance helped by the fairly early goal, and looking comfortable with and without the ball. City actually played Johnson on the left for much of the game, with Wright-Phillips on the right. A flash across goal from Poznan, and one from Johnson which should have been either a cross or shot but ended up as neither. A good turn and finish from Adebayor for the first goal although his marker sold himself pretty easily. Further chances mostly dropped Ade’s way and his touch often let him down, then a second (again under little marking pressure) a well steered header from a nice Silva cross.

Coming into half time City had complete control and the away fans were quietened. However, in a still typical City moment some inept defending not long after half time allowed Poznan an easy goal. Possibly a penalty as Lescott flattened a Poznan player in what was at best a clumsy challenge and, when the ball rolled loose, three City players waited for the ref to give it while the Poznan striker tucked the ball away. This lifted both the Polish team and its supporters and made for an unnecessarily difficult 15 minutes or so. Zabaleta started to be pinpointed as an inexperienced left back, and it was Boyata who stood firmest (to my eyes) of the defence. However, while Poznan increased the pressure they didn’t have much in the way of dangerous moments although City really need to put a man on the edge of the box for corners as 5 or 6 dropped to a Poznan player under little pressure (although all shots flew high, wide and handsome). The third City goal came from some calm play from Vieira, a beautiful ball from Silva which just begged to be put away and duly was. After that the game continued to be pretty open in a way that an experienced European team probably wouldn’t have allowed with 5 men attacks from both teams. This led to some half chances at both ends, mostly petering out due to poor final balls. Entertaining because Poznan didn’t score, but I think some calm possession from City should have been the order of the day.

All in all a good win, and while the atmosphere may be pretty intimidating in Poznan, I think City should be able to get something out of that game.

Player Ratings:
Hart not a lot to do, distribution still needs work. 5
Richards still looks a little heavy to me. Solid and comfortable in possession. 5
Zabaleta performed well in a rôle that isn’t his strongest. Good supporting runs and took a few knocks but kept going. Never going to whip in a devastating cross though 6
Boyata solid, particularly when Poznan increased the pressure, and all more experience for him. 6
Lescott two clumsy challenges in the box. Thought he should have led the defence better. 5
Vieira clearly no longer able to stride forward but always calm in possession and used his experience, strength and height well. 6
de Jong captain for the night, some good interceptions (including sliding ones), tidied up well but clearly has no confidence in his shooting ability. 7
Johnson flitted in and out of the game but several good runs including hitting the bar after one good one cutting in from the right. Not strong in the tackle and drops back but several times didn’t actually go with the runner or hold up the man with the ball when one of these should have been the option. 6
Wright-Phillips some good bits but looked (as one would expect) rusty on occasions. 6
Silva a player the ball sticks to and always available for it. Delightful ball for the third goal and almost produced several eye-of-the-needle passes. Plays the easy ball when appropriate and plays the difficult ball well. 8
Adebayor great ‘dusting off’ celebration after first goal and obviously a threat but should have scored more and would have done with a little more effort and if the ball stuck a little better. One second half incident where he took about 30 seconds to wander back from an offside position and then stopped while still half a yard offside, ball played through with inevitable flag summed up where the laziness jibes come from. 8 (’cause of the hat-trick)
Jo (for Wright-Philips) not really helped by being asked to play wide left after coming on. Added little threat but combined with Ade to produce some comedy ball control.
Bridge (for Zabaleta) despite playing in his specialist position was not an improvement which, to my mind, says a lot. Gave ball away cheaply.
Yaya Toure (for Silva) fine and produced a couple of driving runs that Vieira no longer does.

OPINION: REFEREEING CONSISTENCY

Everyone who has read or heard a report on the Arsenal match and Boyata’s red card will be familiar with the phrase ‘the referee had no choice’. Er, yes he did. Just as the referee made a choice to give the Newcastle defender a yellow card last week when Tevez made a virtually identical run into the right hand side of the area. In fact, given that Arsenal’s Chamakh over-hit the ball, Tevez’s was probably the clearer goal-scoring opportunity. But it doesn’t work like that. None of us would have a problem if the rules were applied fairly and equally in every game. But if some referees can get away with thinking “Hey, it’s Gary Neville’s 600th game so I can let him scythe down Etherington as often as he likes, otherwise old Beetroot Face will give me hell afterwards”, then surely other referees can be trusted to use common sense along the lines of “Hey, he’s just a kid, it’s his first tackle and if I send him off now in the 5th minute, it will spoil the rest of the game”. But of course, that assumes that referees actually posses common sense, and we all know that the likes of Clattenburg, Attwell and co. are sadly lacking in that department. So it would be nice if the powers-that-be would make it clear whether referees actually do have a choice or not, then enforce that decision in all matches irrespective of whether a Ferguson or Wenger is sitting on one of the benches.

OPINION: BREAKING THROUGH

I just have to have my say. After enjoying the progress we have made I find myself compelled to submit an article to discuss how we are developing as a potential ‘threat’ to the status quo.

As much as I feel we are so much better than we have been for many a year, I am not getting too carried away with our squad just yet. I don’t think we can expect to finish above the usual suspects unless some of our new signings who have had little game time turnout to be everything we hope and are told they are (Kolarov, Balotelli and Boateng). But what of the rest of the squad?

Barry, Milner and Bridge must go. Sorry to be negative but would any of this trio get a game for our major opponents? Bridge looks a footballer, but cannot deliver. His mistakes are too costly, and we have better alternatives. Milner is all graft and very little product. He has looked good in lesser squads, but he is not technically gifted and lacks the sheer brilliance we need from a major play maker. Barry is agonisingly slow, and although he will sweat blood for us, he is just not good enough. He gets caught out of position way too often. Once again we have better alternatives.

Hart: excellent start to the campaign. I was delighted when he started ahead of Given. No offence meant for Shay, but the age of Hart is enough to tip the scale when you have two similar standard ‘keepers. I am a little surprised Shay has not been involved in Europe. 8
Lescott: I think he has struck a little form lately, and although he is not ahead of Kompany or Toure, I am a lot happier with him a at left back than Bridge. Will need to keep on improving. 6
Kompany: In my opinion he is the best performing centre half in the league this year. My pick for our best performer so far. 9
Toure: I am very happy to rate Toure (Kolo) quite highly. After some dodgy games early in his City career, he is back to his best and forming a great partnership with Kompany. 8
Richards: Better than ever currently. His game versus Arsenal was terrific. Full of energy and clearly enjoying Mancini’s encouragement to go forward as an overlapping full back. Originally I would have sent him out and kept Onuoha, but although I still rate Nedum very highly, Richards has certainly stepped up. Now I will look for consistency. 7
Silva: This boy can play. Now Mancini has given him more freedom on the park he is our best source of the true flair top sides possess. I think he will have great season, and despite his slight frame, he is handling the Premier League very well 7
Toure (Yaya): I was not convinced early on but he is improving all the time and I still believe he will be a very good signing this year. 7
de Jong: My favourite player by some distance. When you have suffered like we have all suffered, to have a player with true passion and commitment is a pleasure. I think the ridiculous media claptrap surrounding ‘that challenge’ was so out of proportion it is laughable. Typical media – if you don’t have story, develop one. He needs to get his head around all the crap and just get on with his natural game, as he is clearly wary of his tackling now. 8
Johnson: This is case of ‘Manager knows best’. Something is going on here. Johnson is clearly a rare talent when he decides to turn it on, but Mancini is using him so sparingly that you have to wonder what is happening behind the scenes. Whatever it is I hope they sort it out soon. 7
Tevez: We all know how important he is to the cause, and has he delivered plus some. He would be a nightmare to play against, but I just wish he looked happier to be a part of it all. Is it just me or does he look like a man who could leave and think nothing of it? However, for now – terrific 8
Zabaleta: I think this lad is unlucky. I rate him, but he seems to suffer unfair scrutiny every time to plays. I hope his opportunities are not too rare. 7
Boyata: I really rate this lad also. Perhaps a little naïve against Arsenal, but he will learn. He is so calm for a young man. I am really looking forward to watching him develop into our next Vincent Kompany type centre half. 7
Adebayor: I never am satisfied when he plays. He is prodigious talent, but he is always a gear or two below his best. 6
Vieira: I though he was terrific against the Poles. Handy to have around and seemingly very good with the younger players 6
Wright-Phillips: He is a shadow of the player we once knew. I love his endeavour but I wouldn’t pick him when others are available. 5

Mancini: What I thought would be a very controlled and somewhat predictable man is turning out to be anything but. Our defence is better organised than I can ever remember. We have achieved results we would have never managed in the past, and I have a lot of faith in him. I believe he is the right man, and although he has made some comments that I find bemusing at times, I am happy to keep the faith. However, how can such a top manager not see that above all else we are desperate for a creative midfielder. We need a young Benarbia or Kinkladze. Imagine these players in our current side. 8

Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to have a little rant.

Overall team 10. Why? because I’m Blue and we’re all mad.

Adrian Kenny <lookwest(at)bigpond.com>

OPINION: MALCOLM ALLISON

I’m from the Mercer/Allison era so I know as a City supporter what success feelslike.

I shed tears reading all the tributes for Big Mal; he truly was a great football man. I remember asking him to autograph my passport along with all the players and officials when I sneaked into their hotel in Brussels during our European Cup Winners’ Cup campaign in 1970. I still have the passport, one of those 12 month visitor’s passports you could get in those days.

I also remember him at Old Trafford before a derby game; he came on the pitch in front of the Stretford End to wind them up. He had an orange thrown at him and I recall Big Mal just picked it up and threw it straight back at them.

I was told earlier this year that during the Carling Cup semi at Old Trafford last season Big Mal came in the Bird in Hand pub in Flixton to be amongst City fans watching the game on TV; apparently he was staying at Trafford hospital across the road and a nurse pushed him over in a wheelchair. I only wish if this was true I could have been there that night to sit with him and hear his thoughts of the game and of the new Manchester City.

Being overseas for many years, I only get to see games on television these days but I will raise a glass to Big Mal before the Arsenal game and once again thank him for the fond memories I have.

OPINION: THE ROONEY RUMOURS

These two came through around the time the Old Trafford saga was being resolved, but we’ll throw them into the mix:

I’m sorry, but if all the current rumours come to anything then I am about to hang my lifelong City boots up. If City are seriously going to go for Rooney, and all his baggage then I quit. Have we really joined the football elite, or are we to be a member of the money-grubbing, success at all costs, faces daily in the Sun and News of the World for all the wrong reasons club? My stomach turned, at the time, at the notion of the Sheikh going for the prancing ponce that eventually turned up at the Bernabeu, I had my doubts about Hughes and then Tevez. I do not expect to strike gold twice on the trot. Tevez, in all fairness, turned out to be a gem.

City, please avoid Rooney like the plague. The only advantage in getting him in will be cheaper rates when he turns up with his new City mates at the local knocking shops. Leave Rooney where he is! Old Trafford really is the place for him. Don’t tempt him away from Bacon-face; they deserve each other. The Swamp, and all it stands for, really is the place for this individual.

I have to say that I am sorry that my first contribution to this magnificent newsletter is going to be in less than good humour, but the very thought of the team that I have followed ever since I was old enough to know better even being associated, linked or reported to signing “Shrek” himself has shaken me to the very core, so much so that I have stated to some of folk at work who know I am a Blue, that I would seriously consider stop supporting City if they ever signed that ego-maniacal, morally reprehensible, money grabbing, over weight, over rated, diving, philandering, dirty, two faced, strategically shaved ape that is often referred to by his other name “Rooney”.

This alleged icon for the young, England and football, who happily sells his image to promote products from energy drinks, sports wear and computer games all over the world has recently shown himself to be exactly what I have stated above. He has no soul, he cares little for other people’s little lives and is only interested in lining his pockets with gold. He is a man who thinks he is bigger than any football club in the world, due to his own press inflated ego, and has effectively announced a come and get me message to all the clubs that can afford him, his wages and by implication the trophies and glory that he will bring them or as it is known: “prostituting one’s self”.

Now anyone reading this may think that I do not like Mr Rooney. Well they would be quite right. I have no respect for him as a person or what he represents, but I can say one good thing about him: his undoubted ability to disrupt a football club is without precedence anywhere in the world. If he is happy to cause such disruption to the club (that most sensible football-loving fans loathe) he currently does not play for, for the chance to line his pockets, why would he not be happy to do that anywhere else, especially at City?

For the first time in a very very long time it looks like the club that has promised so little and delivered even less in the last 30 years, that I have supported for so long with my heart on my sleeve through thin and thinner, is finally moving in the right direction. A great team is beginning to form and gel together, the manager looks right, we can afford to buy some of the best players in the world and may (fingers crossed) actually finally shatter the media enhanced idea that there are only four football clubs in the country worth talking about in awed terms and prove once and for all that maybe our long suffering fans have been following a racehorse and not a glue pot pony. So why ruin so much promise to sign a monster who will only destroy all the hard work already done by City in getting the club going in the right direction? So the basis for this message if long winded is (at last some will say): please, please, please, please, please City, do not ever ever sign Wayne Rooney. We don’t need or want him, his odious baggage, his self aggrandising ego or his pig ugly face. Please leave him where he can do the most damage at the club where the glory hunting fans deserve him, deep in Manure at the Swamp where “Shrek” is supposed to live.

Sorry but I felt it had to be said.

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN HOLLAND

City’s European games are being shown in Holland on the sport subscription channel Eredivisie Live. I got three months’ free viewing when I upgraded my cable media box to HD but it is possible to pay per game for around 6 to 7 euros.

REQUEST: MILTON KEYNES BLUES

The next meeting of the MK Branch will be on Thursday, October 28th. The meeting will be at the Caldecotte Arms in Bletchley and starts at 7.30pm.

If you’d like any information about the branch or directions to the venue etc., please just contact me.

REQUEST: SWINTON BLUES

The next meeting of the Swinton branch is this Wednesday 27th October, kick off at 7:30pm. Our guest for the evening is City legend and former captain Andy Morrison. All Blues are welcome.

The venue is Clifton Cricket Club, Manchester Road, Clifton, Swinton M27 1GZ (on the A666).

REQUEST: POLAND TRAVEL

Lech Poznan versus Manchester City, 4th November ’10

Please note that we have limited availability for the one night stopover for this game.

We will start taking balance payments for the Poznan trip on Monday 25th October. If you wish to change your card details for payment, please contact the office on 0161 775 7500 or by email.

If you have any queries, please give me a ring.

RESULTS AND TABLE

24 October 2010

Stoke City            1 - 2  Manchester United     27,372
Liverpool             2 - 1  Blackburn Rovers      43,328
Manchester City       0 - 3  Arsenal               47,393

23 October 2010

Tottenham Hotspur     1 - 1  Everton               35,967
Birmingham City       2 - 0  Blackpool             26,850
Chelsea               2 - 0  Wolverhampton Wndrs   41,752
Sunderland            1 - 0  Aston Villa           41,506
West Bromwich Albion  2 - 1  Fulham                25,625
Wigan Athletic        1 - 1  Bolton Wanderers      17,100
West Ham United       1 - 2  Newcastle United      34,486

League table to 24 October 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          9  5  0  0 16  0  2  1  1  9  2  7  1  1  25   2  23 22
 2 Arsenal          9  3  0  1 14  5  2  2  1  7  5  5  2  2  21  10  11 17
 3 Manchester Utd   9  3  1  0 11  4  1  4  0  9  8  4  5  0  20  12   8 17
 4 Manchester City  9  3  1  1  7  5  2  1  1  5  3  5  2  2  12   8   4 17
 5 Tottenham H.     9  2  2  1  6  4  2  1  1  5  4  4  3  2  11   8   3 15
 6 West Brom A.     9  3  2  0  8  4  1  1  2  5 11  4  3  2  13  15  -2 15
 7 Sunderland       9  2  3  0  5  3  0  3  1  3  4  2  6  1   8   7   1 12
 8 Bolton Wndrs     9  1  3  0  6  5  1  3  1  7  8  2  6  1  13  13   0 12
 9 Newcastle Utd    9  1  1  2  9  6  2  1  2  5  7  3  2  4  14  13   1 11
10 Aston Villa      9  2  2  0  5  1  1  0  4  4 12  3  2  4   9  13  -4 11
11 Everton          9  1  2  1  6  5  1  2  2  3  3  2  4  3   9   8   1 10
12 Birmingham City  9  2  2  1  4  3  0  2  2  6  9  2  4  3  10  12  -2 10
13 Stoke City       9  2  1  2  6  6  1  0  3  4  7  3  1  5  10  13  -3 10
14 Blackpool        9  0  1  2  5  7  3  0  3  8 13  3  1  5  13  20  -7 10
15 Wigan Athletic   9  1  2  3  4 14  1  2  0  3  2  2  4  3   7  16  -9 10
16 Fulham           9  1  2  1  5  5  0  4  1  5  6  1  6  2  10  11  -1  9
17 Blackburn R.     9  1  2  1  3  3  1  1  3  5  7  2  3  4   8  10  -2  9
18 Liverpool        9  2  2  1  7  6  0  1  3  2  8  2  3  4   9  14  -5  9
19 Wolves           9  1  2  1  5  5  0  1  4  3 10  1  3  5   8  15  -7  6
20 West Ham United  9  1  1  3  5  9  0  2  2  2  8  1  3  5   7  17 -10  6

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: