Newsletter #1566

Another game, another win, except this time we emerged 4-2 winners against Arsenal in a game that is fast becoming overshadowed by the media controversy surrounding Adebayor. With the FA making a decision on Tuesday this week it’s not yet clear how long a suspension the player is facing.

We have a match report thanks to Phil, opinion on the game and players and the usual requests.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’: MCFC 4 AFC 2

Manchester City showed true quality and immense depths of character to continue this season’s 100% winning sequence after a thrilling second half at a packed Eastlands against an Arsenal side that oozes attacking quality. With Robinho and Tevez out injured, Mark Hughes opted for a five man midfield with Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right and Bellamy on the left. Between them, de Jong and Barry anchored the midfield with Stephen Ireland in a slightly more advanced rôle just behind Adebayor. New City captain Kolo Toure received warm applause from the visitors whilst Adebayor was booed and abused at every turn by the visiting support. Emmanuel Adebayor was also on the receiving end of several bad challenges from his ex-team mates throughout the match, which could have resulted in serious injury, but he quite literally kept going, and going, and going! More of his running exploits later.

The first half was a rather scrappy affair that saw both teams taking some time to get into gear, though Arsenal should have taken the lead when Gallas nodded over a free header over at a corner. He and Sagna fired wildly over for the visitors with long range efforts, with the latter and City’s Joleon Lescott finding their ways into the book. On a couple of occasions Arsenal seemed to have a man over on City down our left flank when they attacked (their three against our two) but they failed to make us pay with any incisive move of note.

City either failed to find the final ball or were indecisive when well placed, with Shaun Wright-Phillips struggling to impose himself on Gael Clichy. It seemed like the City winger lacked the confidence to take on Clichy down the outside during that first period, and tended to go inside into traffic. Maybe his below par performance with England was playing on his mind? On the occasion when he did get free before the break, his delivery was wayward whilst a subdued Stephen Ireland showed uncharacteristic indecision with Arsenal stretched.

Referee Clattenburg was not having a good game either, picking up on City fouls but failing to spot a few Arsenal niggles including a sly Fabregas tug back. He couldn’t, however, miss Sagna pulling back the lively Bellamy, who was giving the African full back a tough time; and Lescott also found his way into the book for impeding van Persie.

City led at the break after Richards’ looping header hit Almunia’s head and a post from a Barry free kick, and the City right back was mobbed by his team mates. Eastlands reverberated to ‘We’re not really here’ as we believed that a second successive win at home to Arsenal was possible. City might have doubled our lead when Bellamy scurried down the left past Sagna but his high cross eluded Adebayor. Wright-Phillips shot well wide after good work by Bridge and the lively Adebayor played him in. In defence, Toure had to give Richards a rollicking when Micah was caught out of position, and the full back seemed to do better defensively after that. It was good captaincy.

At half time Alex Channon and other members of the Centenary Supporters’ Association (please excuse my lack of names, gents) gave us a great insight of the project they have to raise money for the Sierra Leone branch, and hopefully they will reach their target sooner rather than later. It is so wonderful to see people bringing light into the lives of people who live in such abject poverty.

Strangely, Adebayor spent the pre-amble to the second half kick-off passing a practice ball to his close friend Alex Song over the half way line, and there were some words flying backwards and forwards between Arsenal players and the Togolese striker. It wasn’t clear from their body language whether they were friendly words or otherwise.

After the break Wright-Phillips went on a scintillating run down the right past Clichy but Adebayor’s shot from his pass was blocked. It was as if Hughes or Bowen had a word and told Shaunny to run down the outside more. It worked because for the rest of the game Shaunny was far more effective.

However, City were sitting far too deep, inviting pressure, against a niggly but skilful Arsenal side whose attack was bolstered by the addition of the dangerous sub Thomas Rosicky, who returned after a 20 month lay-off. He dropped into a deep-lying prompting rôle, as Arsenal probed at City’s massed defence for a spell of sustained pressure. Fabregas tried to con the referee with a blatant dive in the box but even Clattenburg was unconvinced. Given saved a Gallas snap header and Bridge was forced to clear off the line. Given was forced to make another important save from a powerful long range effort from Vermaelen as City’s defence came under sustained pressure. It wasn’t a surprise when the Gunners equalised, Lescott failing to reach a loose ball outside the box and van Persie was given room to turn and shoot low past Given’s outstretched right hand and into the far corner. Yet City could have scored just before that in a breakaway that had been orchestrated by the livewire Bellamy and Wright-Phillips, but Ireland passed up a chance to shoot and played in the Welshman whose shot was easily saved.

Van Persie then made a nasty two-footed lunge at Adebayor, and stayed down. The tackle could have broken Adebayor’s leg had he not jumped out of the way. Television replays later showed that Adebayor’s boot then caught van Persie in the face. That evening, someone at Arsenal Football Club thought it was a good idea for van Persie to have a self-righteous bitch at Adebayor on their website about him not respecting him and accusing him of trying to hurt him. Talk about pot calling kettle! It was a feeble attempt to cover his tracks and detract from his and his team mates’ dangerous challenges. Bendtner (twice) and Eboue were both guilty of two-footed lunges that could have caused serious damage to Adebayor in this game. If Adebayor did try to hurt van Persie (and it is a big ‘if’) then clearly that was wrong. If justice is to be meted out then van Persie and Bendtner in particular should be brought to book for serious foul play.

Just when it looked like Arsenal might go onto to score goals that might win them the game, City seized the day. Hughes replaced Ireland (who looked to be carrying an injury) with Petrov, moving Bellamy into a more familiar central rôle and this proved to be decisive. Lescott won the ball as Arsenal started another attack, then Wright-Phillips fed the overlapping Richards down the right. The City full back cleverly cut inside Song, squaring the ball to Bellamy who rounded off this thrilling move with a curling shot that swung away from Almunia’s outstretched right hand and into the net. Our veins coursed with pure joy, as Bellamy and his team mates celebrated together. City had dared to take the lead again, and how thrilled we were!

City attacked in exciting waves and sensed there were more goals to harvest, with Adebayor, Bellamy and Wright-Phillips running at pace and working their magic. Adebayor went on a thrilling run, beating three men down the left, hurdling two dangerous lunges by Arsenal players, and crossed from the bye-line but Wright-Phillips inexplicably missed a perfectly gift wrapped chance from less than six yards.

Thankfully, this wasn’t crucial as less than five minutes later it was 3-1 after another beautifully executed move. Micah Richards won the ball then played in Wright-Phillips with a searching ball down the right and referee Clattenburg played a good advantage after Clichy had fouled the England winger. Wright-Phillips advanced and his perfectly flighted cross was headed down and into the net powerfully by Adebayor for more tumultuous celebrations in the stands, not to mention on the pitch!

Adebayor ran, and ran, and ran almost to the full length the pitch to the opposite end of the pitch sliding onto his knees in the penalty box in front of the Arsenal fans in celebration. The FA may deal with Adebayor harshly for his long journey to celebrate in front of the away fans, but there is no excuse for the violent reaction by a significant section of Arsenal fans, which left a steward hospitalised. Objects including bottles, coins and a plastic chair were thrown onto the pitch as several Arsenal fans charged forward with little regard for safety for their own fans as well as stewards and photographers. Whilst Adebayor would have been better celebrating with his new team mates and City fans – often the best way to treat your detractors is to ignore them – he did not make any obscene gestures to the Arsenal fans. Arsenal fans had been abusing Adebayor throughout the afternoon as well as abusing him when he was at the Emirates, and yet too many of them could not take it when he celebrated. The only people who are responsible for their violent actions are the Arsenal fans who chose to react that way and if they are going to dish it, out they have to take it like grown ups. Given the appalling abuse and bad tackles that he had to endure, Adebayor’s celebration was understandable, even if it was not the right decision.

Would we have liked it had an ex-player celebrated like that against us? Probably not, but the vast majority of us do not see the need to react violently, and to be fair, that was the case with all bar around 100 Arsenal fans who were out of control. We generally enjoy a good relationship with Arsenal and, home or away, it is normally a game free of trouble. Hopefully we can return to a situation where we won’t need to have police helicopters buzzing above before and during the match in future.

It is important that we do not place too much importance on such negatives after such a good a game of football, and it would be most unfair on City’s players who gave a very good account of themselves here. The action went from end to end in a classic, thrilling second half. Arsenal were certainly not finished and Diaby had a goalbound effort deflected wide from a corner by Adebayor. Then Bellamy underlined what a great game he was having when he chased back deep into our half and tackled Clichy. Bellamy then drove down the centre of the pitch at top speed towards the Arsenal penalty box, playing a perfect through ball to Wright-Phillips who cleverly lifted the ball over Almunia for City’s fourth goal. Shaunny flopped to the ground in comical celebration and Eastlands knew the game was won. Attentions turned to next Sunday’s derby with a chorus of ‘Hark now hear the City sing, United ran away…’

There was time for Rosicky to score a goal after City sloppily switched off; van Persie hit a post before the pedestrian Bendtner had an effort saved by Given after a sharp deflection. Despite Arsenal’s admirable desire to attack, it was all academic, and we filed out to the strains of the ‘Boys in Blue’. Maybe in this generation? Maybe…

Mark Hughes is an excellent judge of talent and there were so many good performances from City’s players. Barry and de Jong were vital to City keeping the Gunners at bay all afternoon, rendering Cesc Fabregas anonymous. De Jong in particular excelled in the ‘Makalele rôle’, tirelessly breaking up attack after attack whilst Barry’s physical presence and authority was crucial. Adebayor got the official man of the match award but Craig Bellamy was brilliant too. Playing wide left, he worked tirelessly, often supporting Bridge as an auxiliary left back to stop the marauding runs of Arsenal full back Sagna. In attack he was lightning fast, skilful and intelligent with his passing. The maturing Welshman has a big part to play here this season and can look back on this performance with a great deal of pride.

It is too early to talk about Champions’ League qualification but this result is a real statement of intent, especially on the back of three straight wins. It is a long campaign with a lot of tough fixtures and our squad’s mettle will be tested to the full. Robinho has a stress fracture of the ankle that may keep him out for a month and Tevez is out for perhaps another couple of weeks with a knee injury. If Adebayor is to be missing for a few games, we still have Bellamy, Benjani and the returning Roque Santa Cruz to replace him, with the latter two giving us a more physical presence. We will need to be at our best next week but we are in better condition than for a long time to stand up to any physical intimidation that will be thrown at us. If we can win at Old Trafford, people may just start to take us seriously. Here’s to another win. Come on, City.

Att: 47,339
City formation (4-5-1)

Ratings:
Given: Absolutely outstanding in everything he did 8
Richards: Scored one and made another but can still improve his defensive positional play 7
Toure: Showed great leadership in a captain’s performance 8
Lescott: Turned for Arsenal’s first but made other vital interceptions when it mattered 7
Bridge: Solid throughout on a very testing afternoon 7
Wright-Phillips: A game of two halves: poor in the first, very good in the second 6
De Jong: Made countless tackles and distributed the ball simply, a key ingredient in this success 7
Barry: A vital cog in the machine. Great energy and highly consistent 7
Ireland: Carrying an injury and not his usual decisive self 6
Bellamy: Absolutely excellent quality and work rate all over the pitch that was highlighted by a top draw finish, a great run and a perfect through ball for Shauny’s goal 8
Adebayor: The complete centre forward’s performance. Great skill, workrate, determination, and courage in the face of physical intimidation and terrible abuse. Did his fair share of defending too, clearing off the line in the second half 8
Sub: Petrov (for Ireland, 73): Clever prompting and driving runs down the left helped change the dynamic of City’s attack 7

Men of the Match: Emmanuel Adebayor and Craig Bellamy.
Best Oppo: Thomas Rosicky: Highly intelligent comeback and a real threat 7

Refwatch: Mark Clattenburg: Missed a lot of sneaky Arsenal fouls, failed to book Fabregas for his dive, and how Bendtner and van Persie stayed out of his notebook is a source of complete mystery. Played a good advantage for City’s third goal, though: 3

OPINION: ARSENAL GAME I

These 2 am kickoffs are a beep. Well we saw everything didn’t we? Some sublime football, some ugly football, some great goals and van Persie getting his face on the end of Ade’s boot!

Four games, four wins, and a great deal of hope for the season. But at times we looked decidedly ordinary, and but for Shay Given’s great ‘keeping, and Ade on the near post could quite easily have lost. While Richards and Bridge had better games, they still were caught short on more occasions than they should have.

It’s funny really, with all the millions we’ve spent, the two best players cost little in comparison. Shay Given and Craig Bellamy both were outstanding. First game post Dunne era, and Lescott and Toure look very solid, de Jong and Barry were as good, as was goal a game Ade with a great all round performance up front and defending corners. A lot to be enthusiastic about, a team playing winning football is a very good start.

Well, off to play with my granddaughter, it’s a great day over here, sun is shinning, birds are signing and City are winning!

OPINION: ARSENAL GAME II

What a wonderful display of fast, attacking football with aggression. This game was a total team victory, playing for one another and for Manchester City.

This was Adebayor’s game against his old club, but let’s not forget the captain’s rôle Kolo Toure played his first game as the official Club Captain, as he was named this last week by Mark Hughes as the permanent captain – a wise choice, with a promise to Superman in the future.

Although every player including Ireland played his part, I don’t think that Stephen was on his usual form; he must have stayed in his Clark Kent suit but I and everyone else knows that Superman will return, his next feature at the Swamp.

Micah had one of his better games, scoring a goal and creating another. Glenn Johnson watch out, Micah Richards is getting ready to take your place in the England team.

Adebayor scored a brilliant goal as he headed home City’s third with such power; just hope that the FA understands his emotions got the better of him in his celebrations, but it was worth the yellow card, and his apologies after the game should be enough for the FA to let it go with a yellow card punishment.

Bellamy scored a great goal from SWeeP’s pass, then later he showed his speed as he went down the centre of the pitch like a greyhound and returned the favour with a pass for SWeeP to score the fourth goal and send CoMS into raptures.

This was a test for the City team that Mark Hughes has built; it shows the squad has depth, playing without Robinho and Tevez – both out with injuries.

The next test will be the biggest, at the Swamp, when we take on the Evil Empire. If City can play with the same aggression as against the Gooners I feel that we can be the winners but we all know that it will be a tough game; I just hope that the referee on the day is a fair and very much a neutral one.

It is early days yet but we are on the right track, and it is great to see a true Sparky team in action; the speed of counter attacks is electrifying.

Now let’s get our breath back and off to the Swamp. Come on you Blues.

I would just like to make a little correction to my remarks about Richard Dunne. “Hope he goes and scores own goals for Villa”; no one has contacted me about this, this is truly from my own conscience, for all that Dunne did for City I wish him “Good Luck, except when he plays against City”.

And I hope that Richard Dunne regrets his remarks about MCFC.

It has been learned later that Superman went limping off with an injury. I sure hope that Stevie will be fit for the Evil Empire game.

I also correct that the ball for Bellamy to score was from Micah and not SWeeP.

OPINION: PROMISING START

Well what a great start to the new season! Another win, 4-2 over Arsenal, wish I had that bet on, think it was 125-1 over here.

Thought most of the team played well with Bellamy, Bridge and of course (man of the match) Adebayor being the star players. Playing as a ‘team’, not quite the team of 1968 but getting there.

As New Zealand is a county of rugby fans, it nice to see more football in the news and of course City. Sky in NZ has had all the 4 games live over here and next 2 games as well.

Even the Sky show ‘ESPN Soccernet’ has more news about the Blues than ever before. Even Tommy Smyth (from the show and United supporter) has City for a top 4 finish this year.

Exciting times ahead.

Having supported City since 1965, looks like things on the pitch are getting better. I was a long time season ticket holder (before coming here in 1982) in Block H, row K, seat 6 with my ex-workmates. Now ‘make my day’ and beat the Reds this coming weekend.

MCIVTA keep up the great work.

OPINION: ADEBAYOR I

I want to praise the City team for our fabulous victory over Arsenal; what a smile it put on my face, especially as I have so many Arsenal loving friends. To score 4 goals is just incredible, especially against a team that have always had the upper hand over us.

There has been a lot written in the press as to the reasons why Adebayor left Arsenal, and if you believe what our new striker says, than it has to be because they started to treat him as a hate figure. All he wants is “love from the fans” and believe me, all City fans just love him.

The match was billed as 2 former team-mates playing against their former club, and both he and Toure were going to get a lot of stick, something I cannot understand (but that’s me – I want to see fairness in sport).

Adebayor must have been chomping at the bit to show Arsenal just what they “let go” of, and when he scored his adrenaline levels must have been sky high, and I don’t care what anyone says, he has every right to celebrate “on the pitch” for scoring, albeit that he ran 70 metres to celebrate in front of the away fans who suddenly got provoked into hurling more abuse and objects on to the pitch, seething with anger; these same fans who thought it was OK to hurl vitriolic abuse towards Adebayor for the previous 80 minutes. Now, do you detect “double standards”? Why should his celebration be deemed as “inciting the crowd”, when the crowd were “inciting” the players on the pitch for the whole duration of the match!

Where does it state on a match day ticket that entrance to the game allows you to hurl vitriolic abuse to the players on the pitch whilst in the relative “safety” of being part of a large baying mob of away supporters? Surely, it should state abusive language will not be tolerated, and could lead to you being ejected from the ground?

What is sport all about today? It’s all about entertainment, and I want all the players on the pitch to celebrate when they score, whether it’s for my team or against. Celebration is a natural reaction. Why should the fans alone be allowed to show satisfaction? Why are they allowed to chant to the opposite fans when they score? Is that not deemed incitement?

We must all remember that the players are as “human” as the fans, and that they too have feelings, and also get hurt by the abuse directed towards them. It should not be a case of “well they earn so much, they should accept the abuse and get on with it, and act professionally”; sorry, that’s a cop out, and is based on ignorance!

If Adebayor is banned for his celebrations then City should fight it all the way. However, the chances are that he might be banned for his “alleged stamp” on van Persie, who originally made a dreadful sliding tackle, and Adebayor just evaded it in time.

I thought Adebayor played with a lot of passion and skill, and his jinking run could have ended up with a fantastic goal, had SWP put it away like he should have done. He also made a great goal line clearance too. Bellamy was also very good, and his 70 metre tracking back to win the ball, before then going on a long run to set up SWP’s goal was magnificent. I thought we gave away 2 sloppy goals (ball watching for the 2nd), and hope our defence works on that for the coming matches.

With Robinho and Tevez out and the likely ban on Adebayor, it probably means we will be without an “in-form” striker for the match with Man United; perhaps Santa Cruz will make his début? What about giving young Weiss a run out? I am sure he would be great.

I will be happy with a draw next week.

Come on the Blues!

OPINION: ADEBAYOR II

Enough to drive me mad.

This week’s extended goal celebration by Ade has reminded of another pitch invasion in our history and a certain gentleman dancing on the Maine Road pitch.

Oh David Pleat, I can forgive you for your poor pronunciations as a commentator (‘Zhillespie’, ‘Zhinola’ and ‘Marcus Da Beasley’, not to mention ‘Yung-berg’ and ‘Tivez’). I can forgive you for saying ‘grass’ and ‘grahss’, or ‘pass’ and ‘pahss’ in the same sentence. Unlike some, you’re very even handed now when you talk about City as a pundit. I’ve nothing against you for your, ahem, slow driving. That’s your choice. I can even forgive you for 1983 for your team relegating us for the first time in my life, as traumatic as it was at the time. You were only doing your job. I am not bitter about you dancing on the pitch and celebrating your team staying up and us going down. You were very gracious in victory and you even spared a thought for us City fans in your post match interview without being patronising; but I can never, ever forgive you, David Plee-att (you started it) for that beige crimpolene suit and those brown pork pie slip-on shoes. For I have never recovered from that sight.

OPINION: LESCOTT I

Another Adebayor chant, this time from one of the East stand regulars, Paul Crawford. It’s based on the Terry Cooke/Andy Cole chant of old:

Ade bay or
He’s not a Gooner anymore
Don’t you know we love him more?
Oh Ade by or

OPINION: LESCOTT II

An abiding concern following the transfer of Lescott is the question of how the pressure has affected him. Surely no coincidence that Capello left him out of the big game. His frankly distracted performance in the earlier friendly game echoed that at Fratton Park where his contribution was by-the-book rather than the inspirational input often seen at Everton.

The deal is now done. For better or worse he has to step up to the plate. The transfer fee (in my view three times over the top; where is van Butyen just now?) is irrelevant. He can offer much to City – but not in his current state of mind.

MCIVTA QUIZ PART II

A quick round up of the first round of the MCIVTA 15th Anniversary Quiz.

Correct answers:
1. The founder of MCIVTA was of course Ashley Birch.
2. The current players with more than 100 league and cup games for City are: Sweep, Ireland, Richards and Onuoha.
3. Yes, we have scored 10 goals on two occasions (both in the FA Cup) since 1900: 11 goals against Palace in 1926 (ended 11-4) and 10 against Swindon in 1930 (ended 10-1).

Only two participants got all three answers correct: Paul Hughes and Steven Hunt. Those who didn’t get all the answers correct still have a chance to close the gap in the last round.

Now over to the last round of the Anniversary Quiz:

Question 4: Can you name a former City goalkeeper that has been capped by Germany?

Question 5: Several former City players have managed the club but can you find any former United players besides Mark Hughes?

Question 6: During the 1972-73 season Manchester City wore four different kits. It was the traditional sky blue with white shorts, the red and black shirts with black shorts, and the all white kit with a blue and red diagonal stripe over the chest. Now describe the fourth kit.

Answers can be submitted at: http://www.mcivta.com/quiz/ between Tuesday 15th, and Sunday 20th at 23:59.

REQUEST: SHIRT QUALITY

At long last in my local Cork sports shop there is a range of City’s new home and away shirt (the black and blue).

However, the material to my sensitive fingers feels basically like t-shirt material. I am not sure if I am prepared to pay 60 Euro for a T-shirt to be honest as your typical Premier League shirt lasts forever as the material is durable. This does not look like a durable material. Is there a particular reason for its makeup or is a sales techniques in that it will wear out faster than the typical shirt, forcing fans to spend money on a new one?

All help appreciated before I spend my money.

REQUEST: POINTS OF BLUE

Meeting on Tuesday, 6.30pm at the Mancunian Suite.

The catering manager Neil Worcester will join the club officials in attendance (Danny Wilson, Vicky Kloss, Peter Fletcher).

RESULTS

13 September 2009

Birmingham City       0 - 1  Aston Villa           25,196
Fulham                2 - 1  Everton

12 September 2009

Blackburn Rovers      3 - 1  Wolverhampton Wndrs   24,845
Liverpool             4 - 0  Burnley               43,817
Manchester City       4 - 2  Arsenal               47,339
Portsmouth            2 - 3  Bolton Wanderers      17,564
Stoke City            1 - 2  Chelsea               27,440
Sunderland            4 - 1  Hull City             38,997
Wigan Athletic        1 - 0  West Ham United       17,142
Tottenham Hotspur     1 - 3  Manchester United     35,785

League table to 13 September 2009 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v0910.01]

[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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

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

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

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.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: