Newsletter #326

It truly seems an age since I was last able to start writing one of these short intros on a positive note. An astonishing performance against Forest, with an amazing goal, but I have to say we came perilously close to throwing it away after it should have been well beyond them. I was particularly struck by the contrast in styles of the two teams; Forest will probably get promotion, but they are a Bassett team (injuries exacerbated this), plenty of big physical players, a team which might have been ours had circumstances been different! Optimism reigns and we have 2 match reports, a match view, Part V of City on Tour and lots of opinion. This issue finishes off on a poignant note, with a Why Blue sent in by the friends of Stuart Ward, who was tragically killed – along with his girlfriend – after the Blackpool game. Well Stuart, at least the Blues managed to give you a victory issue – let’s hope you were watching.

MATCH REPORT – ‘LIVE’

NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs. MANCHESTER CITY, Wednesday 3rd September 1997

Having left The Valley fuming at the ineptness of City and Symons and Brannan in particular, the display at the appropriately named City ground was a most welcome surprise and typical of a City team who are only consistent in their inconsistency. City welcomed back Kinkladze but were missing Rösler, whilst Forest certainly missed Van Hooijdonk away on international duty.

It was pleasing to note that the silence for Diana was observed impeccably. Kinkladze started much further forward than usual and the first real chance came when Kinkladze raced through, but instead of shooting, back-heeled the ball to Bradbury who failed to deliver his first goal.

Nevertheless City continued to look promising in an open game which flowed from end to end and midway through the first half Bradbury and Brannan broke through with only a somewhat indecisive Pascolo in the Forest goal to beat. Bradbury squared the ball to Brannan who poked the ball into the goal just before a despairing tackle by Lyttle – and it was celebration time. Shortly afterwards, the traditional Symons howler allowed Saunders a clear run but Edghill, making a most impressive return, stifled the danger. Kinkladze then shaped to make a run but instead stopped and his shot hit the bar and bounced to safety as City went in 1-0 up at half-time.

Forest began the second half strongly and once again Edghill saved a goalbound Saunders attempt. City however, prompted by a continual supply of defence-splitting through balls by Kinkladze, continued to look dangerous on the break. Brannan, with twenty minutes to go, again ran clear after a Forest attack and Pascolo raced outside his area to block him. Both tumbled over but Brannan recovered first and without looking at the goal swivelled to hoof the ball high into the air. To the great delight of the City fans behind the goal, the ball bounced just below the bar and into the net. Now we seemed relatively safe as Forest heads dropped.

Nonetheless, chants of “Bassett Bassett what’s the score” seemed to be tempting fate and after Dickov, on in place of a tiring Kinkladze, squandered a fair chance, City with seven minutes to go, presented Campbell with a goal after a corner which Margetson seemed to be slow to react to. Now we were back in ‘here we go again land’, and Forest, urged on their fans, almost equalised two minutes later as the ball flew just wide. To their credit, City continued to counter-attack and shortly before injury-time, a Summerbee cross was headed across goal and Dickov found himself in a position where even he could not miss and as his shot hit the back of the net there was no way back for Forest.

So, a triumphant return for Frank Clark and co, our first three-point victory of the season, and a happy return journey for around 3,500 City fans in a crowd of 23,681. We are now 14th and a win at Bury on Sept 12th will put us back into the frame.

Form report:

Booked: Brightwell, Brannan, Van Blerk, Summerbee.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’

NOTTINGHAM FOREST vs. MANCHESTER CITY, Wednesday 3rd September 1997

Well, what can I say? Given Forest’s 100% record in six league and cup games and City’s so far fruitless search for a league win, prospects for a result at the City ground didn’t look good. However, with Van Hooijdonk and Stone both absent, maybe an upset was possible? Arriving at the ground, there were far more Blues there than I’d expected – I know several regulars who boycotted the game due to the £20.00 ticket price (same price for adults in all parts of the ground) but we still filled around two thirds of our normal allocation, around 4,000 Blues amongst the 23,681 crowd.

The line-up was a bit surprising. Gio was indeed fit as was hinted at earlier in the week but there was no sign of Uwe, not even on the bench. Speculation mounted that he’d had a bust-up with Frank Clark or was on his way to Everton but it turned out his wife was about to have their first child and he was with her. This gave City the chance to play a 4-4-1-1 formation, advocated by many fans, and that’s what happened. Ricky Edghill returned at right back, giving us two specialist full backs in the side for the first time in years but I must admit I groaned at the news that Ged Brannan had retained his place – I just don’t think his contributions have been good enough this season. The side was thus:

                Margetson
Edghill  Brightwell  Symons  Van Blerk
Summerbee   Brannan  Wiekens   Horlock
                Kinkladze
                Bradbury

Subs: McGoldrick, Dickov, Vaughan

City kicked off and looked good straight away. Edghill and Summerbee linked well down the right flank and were a constant threat to Forest throughout the first half. Bradbury, who played much of last season as a lone striker for Portsmouth, looked the part, using his pace and presence to bother the home side’s defence. Kinkladze was given room to play as he wished, which led to a good supply of through balls for Bradbury to latch on to. He was caught offside quite frequently but was onside enough times to create a number of openings. The first of these came from a quick break down the right flank by Brannan; he crossed hard and low for Kinkladze who, instead of shooting, back-heeled the ball into Bradbury’s path, 15 yards out. Unfortunately, Bradbury’s nerves got the better of him and in his eagerness to ensure that his shot was on target, he ended up hitting what was little more than a pass straight to Pascolo in the Forest goal.

Undeterred, the City fans got behind him and started chanting his name. Another quick break down the right, this time by Bradbury, resulted in City taking a deserved lead in the 19th minute. Pascolo should have come out and intercepted the ball but stayed close to goal, which gave Bradbury the chance to square the ball for the supporting Brannan to knock home from 6 yards. Brannan had already stamped his authority on the game, and with Wiekens, was dominating the centre of a very competitive midfield. Forest seemed to have a lack of ideas, their main threat coming from in-swinging corners whipped in by Bart-Williams. Despite Margetson’s lack of authority in his own six-yard box, these were all dealt with quite well by City. Forest’s only other decent chances came from Dean Saunders, a quick turn and shot that flew just wide from 20 yards and then, capitalising on an error by Symons, he raced forward but hesitated when he should have had a shot on goal, and when he eventually crossed the ball, Edghill was on hand to head the ball away. Edghill was a revelation – it’s great to have him back…

At the other end, City nearly doubled their lead when Kinkladze shuffled past a defender and let rip from 30 yards with virtually no backlift. His shot dipped and swerved away from Pascolo before striking the top of the bar. Oooh! Half time came and there were cheers from the assembled Blues and boos from the home fans, who had been very quiet throughout.

Forest pressed forward more purposefully in the second half, getting men forward in numbers and leaving themselves open at the back for quick breaks, which City exploited on a number of occasions. Kinkladze played a superb through ball for Summerbee to run on to, and his perfect low cross between goalkeeper and defenders reached Bradbury at the far post who seemed certain to score. Once more his effort was on target, harder this time but still straight at the ‘keeper. And still the City fans chanted his name (Maine Road moaners please take note). The ball was cleared off City’s line a couple of times as the corners kept coming in, an instinctive poked shot by Saunders flew just wide, it seemed that City’s luck might be holding for once.

Not only was it holding, it got stronger! Another great through ball by Kinkladze put Brannan in on goal, and this time Pascolo came out to meet him. Both players went on the 50-50 challenge and the ball bobbled loose. The alert Brannan got up first and instinctively hooked the ball towards the goal without looking. He could not have hit the ball better if he tried 100 times. From 30 yards out, the ball must have gone at least 20 yards up in the air and it eventually came down just under the crossbar but over the head of a despairing defender who’d raced back to cover the open goal. The ball bounced back up into the net – we were two up! Brannan raced forward towards the City fans and slid on his knees for about 10 yards in celebration.

The two-goal margin lifted City who now looked very confident and likely to score again. Kinkladze, concerned about his ankle (he didn’t look 100% fit but still had an excellent game) was replaced by the ever industrious Dickov and the little Scot could have had four goals by the end. One goal was disallowed for a close offside decision, and he was inches from converting a Bradbury pass. At the other end, Forest had become very direct in their approach. A Geoff Thomas header was brilliantly turned away by Margetson but soon afterwards the seeds of doubt were sown in the Blues’ minds again – Campbell finally converting one of those corners. With 10 minutes to go we were asking ourselves if the Blues could hang on for a draw (yes, we’ve got that pessimistic!) but we needn’t have worried. With two minutes left a third goal came to settle the match once and for all. Summerbee was fouled near the corner, and from his free kick, Brannan headed the ball back across goal to the totally unmarked Dickov at the far post. As everyone stood still and watched (I was looking for a linesman’s flag), Dickov controlled the ball on his chest before volleying the ball in. “I’m lethal from a yard,” he quipped later.

The final whistle came soon afterwards and it was all smiles amongst the fans for the first time in ages. Virtually the whole side played well and I can’t see there being any changes for a while. The formation suits the players we have, we created more chances in one game than in the rest of the games put together and I can’t see Uwe getting back in the team, much as I like him. The win lifts City several places up the table: “We’re not bottom any more” we sang on the way home…

MATCH VIEW

Just when we were beginning to doubt FC he delivers the goods. At last he saw sense and made a couple of changes that most fans have been screaming for for weeks. Vaughan is not a left back. Brightwell not a right back, and he’s been playing Brannan out of position ever since he came. The back four seemed so much more composed with Edghill and Van Blerk as full backs. Symons made a few howlers again, but got forward well as he did pre-season when he was scoring goals for fun. Paired with Brightwell the centre defence looks solid, especially with Wiekens in front. This man is a real gem. A steal at the pittance he cost. Horlock had a pretty quiet game but he’s been our best player so often we’ll forgive him. Brannan showed how effective he can be played in his favoured position and fully deserved the luck on his second goal.

But it was really up front where the difference was made. Bradbury or Rösler had to make way soon to try something different. Circumstances dictated that Uwe missed out. Maybe fate played a hand and if Everton are keen it may be in the best interests of player and club that he goes. Bradbury missed two sitters and still had a blinder. The goals will surely follow. Buzzer has come back like a true pro, full of running and giving us the width we’ve so sorely missed. The interchange of passes on the break was excellent. There was movement off the ball in abundance.

And then there was Kinkladze. I hope he wasn’t just trying to impress any watching Italians, but some of his play was fantastic. After 10 minutes we broke at speed down the right. The ball was played into Gio who maybe could have gone on and scored, but instead back heeled it into the path of Bradbury who should have broke the net. He didn’t, but the speed of thought was pure class. He then hit the crossbar from 25 yards with a vicious swerving shot. TV showed that he didn’t even look up before striking the ball, he just knew where he was, where the goals were, and how far the goalie was off his line. His passes were perfectly weighted every time and he’s surely got the quickest feet in the business.

With Dickov always hungry to come off the bench, Vaughan as cover at centre back, and youngsters such as Whitley, Brown and Crooks keeping the midfield on its toes the future looks bright. However, it’s only one game and we’ve got to learn to compete and break down teams who come to Maine Road to slug it out. If we can do that we really will be in with a shout come May.

Last word to the fans. On Radio 5 Brian Hamilton said City fans are among the best in the business, only to be corrected by the commentator who said no, they are the best. Long may it continue. What odds we lose at Bury?

CITY ON TOUR PART 4 (It’s getting better now…)

Again another summary of events rather than a match report. A 3.00pm start from home still led us to miss the kick off by 1 minute. Entered the ground when the 1 minute’s silence started, which was duly upheld, as far as I am aware.

Then the débâcle started; we walked up the steps to find our seats and were greeted by a steward who informed us that we could not enter that part of the stand! “Hey hold on a minute mate, we’ve paid £20 each for these seats and no-one is going to stop us!” The steward advised that the club had taken the decision to make the seating unreserved, and by this time there were about 15 of us waiting to take our seats. He couldn’t hold us back and we entered the stand and found two very good seats (not ours!) right behind the Forest goal.

There was still a lot of hassle throughout the 1st half with fans trying to get seated.

Well, the match was excellent to watch, Edghill particulary was outstanding and added excellent balance to the right-hand side without Bob Brightwell. The away support once again was fantastic, and the players showed their appreciation after the final whistle.

All the usual chants were heard. I was impressed with the way, when one small contingent of Blues started up the ‘If you hate Man Utd clap your hands…’, that they were barracked for not getting behind their team, and started up CTID or ‘Stand up if you love City’ instead. Also, there were numerous rounds of excellent support for Lee Bradbury. Let’s continue to get behind the players, and him in particular, he will come good soon.

While on the way home travelling up the M1 we overtook a Finglands coach, and lo and behold it was the team coach. After overtaking, and letting it overtake us a number of times so we could wave to the players, we decided to follow it back to Maine Road to welcome the players off the coach and congratulate them on a good performance.

However, as the coach was approaching Moss Side, instead of going to the ground it pulled into the coach depot and the players were able to get into their cars without any hassle from us. We had to make do with waiting by the exit and waving to the players as they passed in their cars. Thanks lads.

Edghill sped off in his Black VW Golf, McGoldrick in his Mondeo(?) and Kit Symons was giving Tony Vaughan a lift. Finally Kinky appeared in his black Mercedes and tried to get some petrol from the filling station next door with no luck, and got harassed for autographs by four youths who chanced upon him.

Well, overall an exciting game and an exciting end to the evening. Next game Bury, I am having to settle to watching it on Sky while I am in Devon, Paul is going though (lucky sod!).

The story so far…

Matches - WON - DRAWN - LOST - GOALS FOR - GOALS AGAINST - MILES
   4    -  1  -   0   -  3   -     5     -       7       - 1255

NEWS – NO RÖSLER INTEREST!

Howard Kendall, speaking on City Clubcall on Monday night (1st September), stated that he had no interest in signing Uwe Rösler and that the press had made up the story due to Everton’s apparent need to sign a new striker. He added that he wasn’t interested in Ravanelli either, and that if he was seen on Merseyside, it would be Liverpool FC he was going to!

NEWS – ITALIAN STUDENT!

Michele Zeoli, who won the World Student Games soccer title with Italy last week, yesterday claimed he has had an offer to join Manchester City, reports the Press Association. Zeoli, a 24-year-old left-back with Fourth Division Pro Vercelli said he would make a decision on the offer this week. Zeoli, who has also been sought by third division Palermo, said “It’s all happened so quickly that I need time to think about it.”

New left back… need one of those.

NEWS – HAIRCUTS!

Six City first-teamers including Kit Symons and Paul Dickov had their heads shaved today (Thursday) as part of a charity fund-raising event. Four young cancer sufferers, Paul Clare (19), Anthony Farley (15), Emma Cooper (15) and Emily Stopford (10) did the chopping. Emily said “I am a Blues fan – Michael Brown and Jeff Whitley lodge with us. When I had radiotherapy treatment when I was five, I lost all my hair so I am going to enjoy it today. I’ll be the envy of my friends at school.” The event was organised by Kit Symons and his wife Lucy; some of the players suggested they all get skinhead haircuts during the pre-season tour of Scotland. Symons said: “I thought if we were going to do that it should be for a good cause and my wife Lucy and I got it organised when I got home.”

There has been more press speculation today about a move for Uwe Rösler from Everton, and once again it has been rubbished by the club. This time it involved an £11 million deal in which Rösler and Kinkladze would go to Merseyside, with Nick Barmby, Graham Stuart and £5 million coming to Manchester. Alan Hill commented: “It’s incredible how they can get away with printing such lies and we have no intention of selling either Kinky or Rösler. We have had no contact from Everton and have no intention of speaking to them.”

MATCH REPORTS – EXAMPLAR FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON

In order to avoid depressing the distant City fans may I propose the following as the general way that reporters should let us hear about City’s latest disasters.

“Other team x CITY z (where x = >2, z + <2)”

“We were robbed again. A magnificent display by our Blue heroes was totally negated by a combination of wicked luck, abysmal refereeing and just plain cheating by the opposition. It was clear that we were in for a difficult match when other team played with fourteen players on the pitch at once (including two goalkeepers!). However, our boys completely outplayed them and were only denied the lead after x minutes by a bizarre refereeing decision (the referee counting the two goalkeepers as only one player so far as the offside rule was concerned). City did take the lead after 2x minutes during a brief spell when the referee had to leave the pitch to replace his contact lens. On his return City had x goals disallowed and y (a number greater than 3) clear penalties turned down. However, as the other team did not get the ball into the City half we were still able to go in at half time with a one goal lead.”

“The second half continued in the same vein as the first with City being denied y more goals and x penalties by the referee. Even so the other team did not get the ball into the City half until the yth minute of extra time when the referee awarded a free kick for Margetson leaving his area (the ball was still at the other end of the pitch). From the resulting free kick Van Blerk (or other player) sliced the ball into his own net whilst three other team players were hanging around his neck. The referee then took a more direct interest in proceedings and passed to an other team player who was at least 5x yards off-side, collected the ball in his hands, head butted Margetson and threw the ball into the net. Margetson was sent off for a second bookable offence. N (x-2) further bizarre goals by the other team followed before the referee ended proceedings. All our players played magnificently and clearly under normal circumstances will beat any team in the league by a considerable margin.”

Of course we won’t believe it but at least it will make us feel better.

GENERAL RAMBLINGS

Firstly I wonder if anyone can help?

I’m now looking after the Official Supporters’ Club Web site and it appears to be tragically out of date. If any of you are members of any of the OSC branches please let me know, so I can build up a list of contacts. I also need information: I would like to ensure all the info for all the branches is up to date, that dates, times and locations of regular meetings are correct and that any special functions are well advertised in an events diary. This info will then be available for any visitors to get in contact with supporters and maybe visit some functions if they are in the area.

Secondly I was chatting to some Chelsea fans on the train back to Crawley after the Charlton game. One of them said that City were to play Crawley Town (they have just built a new ground, play in red and are called the Red Devils). Coventry and Palace have already played there. No date was mentioned but he got the info from a man who ‘knows these things’. I mentioned to my wife if she could cope with a BBQ for 2000 (she said sod off) but if the game comes off people would be welcome to gather at my place for a sing song. There are no pubs near the ground and my local is owned by a relative of Tommy ‘Doc’ who opened the damn place. Does anyone know if the rumour is true?

Thirdly I actually think that FC is doing a good job at City and dearly want him to stay. Last season (and the one before) have been effectively wasted and we are now 2 years behind in rebuilding the team. I would like to see some new blood in the defence to make it solid and someone who can create goals (we cannot be a one man team).

DUBLIN SHIRTS

Can you advise all Dublin Blues that the New Shirt is available in Champion Sports in the Blanchardstown Town Centre. Price £42.

PASSIONATE BLUE?

My name is Hilary Jones and I am making a promo for Carlton TV which will be shown on ITV throughout the season. We are filming at grounds all over the country over the next few weeks and I am keen to include some interviews with Man City supporters. If you are completely passionate about the game and club then contact me at hjones@iocentre.co.uk telling me exactly why I should come and film you, giving me a brief description of yourself (age, sex, occupation, appearance and personality) and giving me a day and/or evening telephone number. Do please pass the word around to anyone you think might be interested – young or old, male or female – and thanks for your time.

SHURELY SHOME MISHTAKE?

Right – what the hell happened last night? Frankly this is just not good enough. The teletext headline said “Forest overwhelmed by City onslaught” – surely that should have read “City overwhelmed by City onslaught”?

Radio 5 had the game on live; somewhat unwillingly we listened to it, whilst awaiting that other paragon of confusion and obfuscation, the X Files. Having gone one up in the first half, I had more or less given up any hope of winning the game, only to be totally confused by us going 2 up. With 10 minutes or so to go, Radio 5 in their wisdom decided to change John Inverdale’s Football Night to John Inverdale’s Tennis Night, visiting Flushing Meadows to follow some Canadian guy. Good eh’

Predictably, on their return, Forest promptly pulled on back. Cue collapse and hopefully 1 point at least – well, we don’t want to rush things do we? So what do we do? Score again.

So … how was it for you?

MESSAGE TO FC AND CITY SUPPORTERS

It’s time to get positive. Living in Florida, I haven’t yet made it to Maine Road this season. However, like the many other thousands of ex-pats I have read all the news of this season’s outings with growing disappointment. I have two messages.

1. To FC: The players seem to have lost confidence. Not suprising afterthis run of results, but understandable when you consider that many of theplayers are only in their early twenties. Frank, you must shoulder thepressure. You’re the big man with all the experience. Tell the crowd andthe press, to get off the players’ backs. Tell the press that you, FC willhave things turned around by Christmas, and if not, then they should blameyou and not the players. We need a captain, and an older head at the back.Frank we need someone to do the same job that you did as a player for NottinghamForest. Get someone in fast. An older head that can steady the ship, andprovide leadership, flowing from the back and up through to the front. Inthe meantime I would give Eddy Mc the job. We need a goalscorer. It breaksmy heart to say this, but it may mean selling Gio to get the money.
2. To the City till I die supporters: Now is the time to get behind theteam. We are all fed up with losing, but the only thing we can do to help,is to get behind each and every player who has been selected to representus on the field of play. Bang the drums, blow the whistles, shout yourthroats dry, and let them know that we are behind them all the way. Thegood ones (and that’s almost the full team) will respond. The bad, and lazywill stand out, be dropped, and disappear.

I have been following the Blues since 1967. After the glory days of the late 60s and 70s, it has all been downhill, apart from a few patches, most notably the arrival of Howard Kendall (yes I thought he was a great manager till he deserted us) and Peter Reid as player/manager (there was always hope when Reidy came on). So now we are at an all time low. But the season has only just begun and it is a long haul to April. I would like to think that we can get a result at Forest. By the time this makes it to print we will all know the result. Good or bad, it’s not the end of the season. We have a class manager who has seen it all before. We have class players, who just need some confidence. We have almost 9/10ths of the season to go. So please note my message FC and Blues around the world. Come on City – Come on City – Come on City – Yeeeessss!

FOREST GAME

Just when you think it’s all over, City come good again! I was due to go to the match last night at Forest and for reasons I won’t go into here, couldn’t actually get there. What happens? They bloody well go and win 3-1! This now confirms the fact that whenever I miss a game that I’d planned to go to, they win. I watched the edited hightlights on Central Sport, and was very impressed. I missed the beginning, so didn’t really know who was playing, apart from the ones I recognise. However, it made no difference – this was a star performance especially Brannan’s second goal – what control and skill!

I’m wearing the shirt into work today with pride – I said I would if they won! Except the 100% polyester is a bit on the warm side!

Let’s hope this is the start of improved performances, especially at home.

OPINION – DEPRESSED OF EAST FINCHLEY

Having witnessed the débâcle at Charlton and watched the Tranmere match on TV, I feel it is appropriate to “vent my spleen”.

Let’s introduce some realism into events. On present form we are not going to get promoted. Saturday’s performance reminded me of those at the time of the managerial merry-go-round last season. What has happened to those performances under FC last season where even if we didn’t win, we rarely lost?

There is a total lack of passion, confidence and skill. OK we know the skill exists, we saw it in the second half of last season, and I thought the passion and confidence had returned. The first 20 minutes of the 2nd half of the Charlton game saw City revert to that successful (not) policy of seeing if the opposition could score. They duly did, twice. Players should have performance-related play incorporated into their contracts. If I performed inconsistently badly at work as City (or the entire England cricket team) I would be shown the door.

My girlfriend who is a Motherwell fan commented that only when we had gone 2-1 down did Summerbee decide to take players on, until then he had not broken sweat. OK the same players are singled out for criticism but if they regularly do not perform they should not be on the pitch.

I had the misfortune to sit in front of some cretin who slagged off every player throughout the match. The reason for his outburts were that he had seen every game this season which he informed us ad nauseum. Now I know that such torture contravenes the Geneva Convention but if you are not happy with events vote with your feet; you would have made a number of Blues happier had you done so!

At the end of the match I saw a couple of events I had not witnessed before. Maybe this is due to the fact that being exiled from Manchester I do not go to many games. In fact in the 15 or so years I have supported the Blues I have never seen City win an away League game. I am sure some of you are thinking that I should go to even less games, but anyway back to Saturday. Fans arguing and fighting amongst themselves is not a pleasant sight, save your anger for the Rags. Also the reaction many fans gave to those few players brave enough to offer their appreciation for the fans support was furious. Again I have never seen fans react that way before.

After Charlton had taken the lead I sank into a depression which was partially lifted as the weekend wore on. What is the answer? I believe that FC is the manager for City, if the players do not perform to his coaching, changes in the players rather than the manager must be made. If we lose FC we really are in the s***e, I say this for a number of reasons:

• who else would want to manage City?
• do we want a rerun of those farcical days after the sackings of Brian Horton and Alan Ball?

I had planned to write about positive aspects (yes, there are some) but I am too depressed. Maybe someone can remind me of any?

OPINION – TRANSFERS

It’s good to see City are making a positive move to improve their terrible start to the season by buying a 24 year old Italian law student. Perhaps I should ask around the university here in Manchester to see if anyone wants to play for the Blues. Okay, so I’m being sarcastic, but what the hell is going on? Are we going to sign some quality or what? Mark Kennedy is languishing in Liverpool’s reserves, John McGinlay is keeping Bolton’s bench warm, and then there is always Tony Yeboah. Okay, so McGinlay hasn’t got youth on his side, but he helped get Bolton promoted and I think he could still get us goals in the 1st Division. Frank Clark needs to get proven talent into the side, not promising young lads to build for the future. If things don’t improve soon, we will not have a future worth considering. Imagine if we’d have got Bassett to join us last year. We’d probably be top of the table and unbeaten in 4 league games.

OPINION – RÖSLER FOR BARMBY

Graham Lord reckons we should swap Rösler for Barmby. Please anything but that! If ever there was a player who ‘flattered to deceive’ it’s Barmby. I watched the Bolton vs. Everton match last night, and Barmby did nothing. He’s a very lazy player and doesn’t seem to want to run to help his team. At one point during last night’s game, Duncan Ferguson had the ball on the edge of Bolton’s box with Barmby behind him. Barmby just stood there and let Ferguson hold the ball until other (harder working) Everton players arrived to support him. Barmby would be another Nigel Clough – a waste of space! A Boro friend of mine was glad to see the back of him.

OPINION – CHARLTON

Just thought I’d write my two penneth on the goings-on at Charlton on Saturday. Like most Blues I trudged out pretty depressed, only stopping to quaff one pint of guinness before heading home to weep. As several other contributors have already commented in detail on the game I’ll just add a few points:

1. Charlton were a very poor side. At half time I actually felt comfortablethat we’d go on to win the game as they hadn’t even looked dangerous infront of goal. In contrast, I thought City looked average but stillconsiderably better than Charlton. I guess I should have known that we’dthrow away three points! Realistically Charlton played decently for about5 minutes the entire game, and in that time they scored twice.
2. Our loss on Saturday is mainly down to City’s constant ability toself-destruct. The casual arrogance we seem to adopt when leading isfrightening, and once Charlton equalised, heads dropped and appeared as iflittle was done on the pitch to regroup and stop the rot. I have to saythat a certain amount of the buck has to stop with the captain. It saddensme to see a City side not showing a bit more pride and passion on thepitch. On Saturday, once Charlton equalised we rolled over and scarcely putup a fight. Take the captaincy off Symons as it is clearly affecting hisgame, make a battler/screamer like McGoldrick or Beesley etc. captain, andat least we’ll go down fighting!
3. I have to say that the same problems of a lack of pace and a lack ofwidth seem evident. We’ve got to do something about this if we want to getout of this division.
4. Saturday was not all bad, believe it or not. Some better concentration,a bit more fight, and a more professional approach to the game could haveseen us romp home. There is potential in this side! Wiekens especiallylooks like a star.
5. Once again the travelling support was fantastic, and I believe thatgetting behind the team will reap better dividends in the long term thanscreaming abuse at them.

So all is not lost. In the league we’re undefeated at home(!) and, to be honest, it was always going to be hard to get points at Sunderland. Call me stark raving bonkers but I reckon we’ll beat Forest on Wednesday… it’d be typical City.

OPINION – BYE BYE GIO

Gio misses the Charlton ‘game’ and if this proves anything, it’s the team’s s***e no matter who we play against and which clowns are in the team. When you look at some of the players who’ve we’ve chased, courted and then bought, I wondered why did we bother.

6 games played and I don’t think we’ve controlled a game yet, in fact I think we’ve been lucky to scrape results outta some of the games. So just what has gone wrong, is it the team tactics, is it the opposition style, is it the players, is it the management? One thing is blatently obvious: the team hasn’t gelled, the defence can’t defend and unless things show an improvement it could be a long, hard season.

Is it time for Gio to depart, maybe we should take the money and run? It’s all too apparent that Gio is not a 90-minute total team player; when he’s good he’s very good but when he’s not in the mood than he does become a liability (just like others in the team). In other words he can’t tackle and won’t track back. What this league needs is player who can and will do this but is still able to make a significant, telling impact on the game. Mind you, in saying that we need a player with vision and skill to replace him and they aren’t that widespread. However, if the current trend continues we’ll have to make do without him anyway, he won’t stay especially if City are bottom/mid table come the turn of the year. Sorry Clive.

Maybe it’s time for FC to dip into the transfer market again but he’s gotta get the priorities right. We need a solid defence upon which to build; at the moment the defence looks ineffective and disjointed. FC should go out and buy a decent ‘keeper and at least a couple of quality defenders, then start the process again. Plus isn’t it time that some of the old stagers (mercenaries?) were shown the door to make way for a influx of younger players? That way at least the management team can mould them into how they want them to play (or more likely not play).

OPINION – GOODBYE FRANNIE LEE – PART II

If anyone saw my article last week “Goodbye Franny Lee” then maybe now you will start to agree that this man has destroyed this once great club single handedly.

It started with “whipping boy Ball” who had the worst record in football management – yet Lee employed him…

Lee then slagged all the players off in public – called them overpaid “fat cats”. Then Lee sold all our class players for next to nothing, simply because Lee said they earn too much.

Then we bought a load of s***e players (some we still have). Then Lee bought Kinky (ok up to now). Then Lee got us relegated.

Now we are the laughing stock of the whole country… and it just started to get worse (out of Coca Cola Cup Round One to Blackpool!). Next… we get beat by Bury, Crewe and Stockport… and I am not joking, this will happen.

Why cannot anyone realise that there are two very obvious problems with this club right now…

1. Franny Lee is not the man for this job. He has provedthat himself. Apart from our support, we are now no betterthan Bury, Crewe or Stockport. How sad.
2. Kinky must be sold. This is a team game and the soonerKinky is sold the better. Lee has constantly singled him outto be some kind of superstar. How does the rest of the team feelabout this? Not happy we know, because no one else in theteam wants to play football with him (apart from Buzzer).Yet again, this problem has been created by very bad highlevel management (Lee).

Please, please, please… only us, the supporters, can make these changes happen: get on the radio and tell Franny Bye Bye, and then Kinky can be sold (let’s face it, he wants to go anyway). Else, I’m afraid to say it’s Division 1 at best, maybe Division 2 soon.

OPINION – GIO

I can’t agree with the sentiments about selling Kinky. As Graham Lord put it in the previous MCIVTA, FC has reverted to playing him in the unsuccessful position that Ball played him in. Having looked at the current state of affairs it seems plain to me that Rösler and Bradbury are not gelling together as one would have liked; add to this Gio’s position in the team it doesn’t bode well for the future if we continue to play this formation. I think Bradbury will come good and I think FC is right to stand by all his players, but when it’s to the detriment of the club surely he must think again. Last season when Uwe was the ‘lone’ striker with Gio having an almost free rôle, they linked up well and results soon went our way. With Summerbee on the right, from the start of the game and Horlock in the centre (is it me or is Horlock probably the best midfielder we signed in the last ten years? So why does FC play him at left back?) it worked very good indeed.

In the past I know Rösler has expressed a desire to finish his football in Germany where he something of a celebrity now, so perhaps we should use Bradbury as an understudy for the want of better word and allow City to play to their strengths which worked all too well on FC’s arrival at the club.

OPINION – (CHARLTON AND) FOREST

I went along to the Charlton game last weekend with the intention of writing a match report for MCIVTA. I didn’t. Anyone who saw the game will surely understand my reluctance to put such a performance into words. With that in mind, I did not anticipate a great result against Forest.

A 3-1 away win against the on-form team in the division (if not the whole Football League)? I couldn’t believe my ears as the game unfolded on BBC Radio 5 – a truly excellent service (I can recommend listening to the Radio 5 commentary while watching a game on Channel 5!). From the commentary, I could establish two things:

1. the game showed flashes of Premiership quality from both sides, withCity withstanding a lot of pressure and hitting quick and hard on the break.
2. the fans were in fine fettle, the strains of Blue Moon thrusting out ofmy speakers – what a great sound!

The latter was expected, the former wasn’t. I now have some optimism for the season. If we can beat Forest away, we can beat any team in this league, anywhere. Maybe my optimism is misplaced, maybe our usual lack of consistency will show its ugly head. I hope not. And I’ll be there for as many games as I can, cheering on the boys come rain or shine, win, draw or lose. Come on you Blues!

OPINION – OH YES!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssss! Now that’s what I call more like it. I hope all those people who were criticising Ged Brannan eat a large slice of humble pie and accept the error of their ways. While I hate to admit it, I did say we’d win at Forest in my earlier contribution to MCVITA. The season’s started! Stay Blue, support the team.

OPINION – BRADBURY

Poor old Bradders, still no goals in the league. Still, I for one am prepared to give the lad the benefit of the doubt and reserve judgement for a while longer. Scoring two goals on his début probably led the City faithful to believe that we had indeed purchased a Shearer clone. Obviously this rumour has been completely dispelled by his lack of goals. Since it seems that the lad had a fair game against Forest and doesn’t seem to be hiding in games, a few goals in the next few months or so will work wonders and hopefully we’ll all see what a good player we’ve bought. To all the people slagging Bradders off, I would say this: if many people tell somebody for long enough that they are crap, they wil eventually start believing it. No good for the guy’s self belief. Don’t forget what Walshie said, be patient with Bradbury, and eventually you will get the reward. The guy has only been in football for two seasons and has improved very quickly. Get behind the lad and boost his confidence. Go get ’em Bradders.

WHY BLUE?

STUART WARD (Manchester 1968-1997)

Stuart Ward was a City fan for the simplest of reasons: family tradition and local connection. His passion for the club was as strong as any City fan’s.

Stuart and his girlfriend Natalie were tragically killed on Tuesday 26 August, 1997 whilst walking home after City’s defeat by Blackpool. We all know the disappointment and the depression of that night, a disappointment which, for us, fades over time (like most City defeats). Unfortunately, Stuart had no time to reflect on this.

Stuart had just graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University and Natalie was undertaking a PhD. Both had extremely promising futures. The death of these two deeply loved and respected people puts bad results into perspective and illustrates the really important things in life.

Let’s hope City achieve success and when they do, let’s smile not only for ourselves, but for all those of us who are no longer here to smile with us.

REQUEST

Message for Christine Haynes and Helen Murtagh: Please email me on harmony@candw.lc for news of the Tribal Gathering in November. I have details of the arrangements.

BLUE HUMOUR?

“It was the best 90 minutes I’ve seen Georgi Kinkladze play yet for City” – Joe Royle on Granada Soccer Night following City’s 3-1 win against Nottingham Forest (yes, we actually won!).

Gio was substituted after 73 minutes!

If only all our games were 73 minutes, we’d be top of the table!

RESULTS

Full-time scores and scorers for Wednesday, September 3 1997

NOTTINGHAM FOREST       1-3    MANCHESTER CITY           23,681
Campbell (81)                  Brannan (20, 71)
                               Dickov (88)
STOKE CITY              0-0    WEST BROMWICH ALBION      17,500
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS 1-1    PORT VALE                 21,524
Bull (74)                      Foyle (82)

Full-time scores and scorers for Tuesday, September 2 1997

CREWE ALEXANDRA         1-2    BURY                       4,447
Smith (pen 43)                 Johnson (14)
                               Swan (63)
HUDDERSFIELD TOWN       1-2    BRADFORD CITY             13,159
Stewart (75)                   Edinho (19)
                               Blake (67)
IPSWICH TOWN            2-1    SWINDON TOWN              10,000
Venus (36)                     Allison (23)
Sonner (82)
PORTSMOUTH              1-1    NORWICH CITY              10,577
Turner (65)                    Adams (pen 89)
READING                 1-2    QUEENS PARK RANGERS       10,203
Hodges (10)                    Spencer (71)
                               Swales (og 72)
STOCKPORT COUNTY        1-1    MIDDLESBROUGH              8,257
Connelly (60)                  Merson (6)
SUNDERLAND              3-1    OXFORD UNITED             27,643
Phillips (40)                  Angel (20)
Purse (og 44)
Melville (49)
TRANMERE ROVERS         0-3    BIRMINGHAM CITY            6,620
                               Hughes (11)
                               Furlong (44)
                               Ndlovu (65)

Up to and including Wednesday, September 3 1997

Team                  Played   Won Drawn Lost  For  Against   Points
Bradford City            5      4    1    0      9     3        13
Nottingham Forest        5      4    0    1     11     4        12
West Bromwich Albion     5      3    2    0      7     4        11
Birmingham City          4      3    1    0     10     2        10
Swindon Town             5      3    1    1      7     4        10
Portsmouth               5      2    2    1      9     7         8
Wolverhampton Wanderers  5      2    2    1      7     4         8
Sheffield United         4      2    2    0      4     1         8
Charlton Athletic        4      2    1    1      6     5         7
Middlesbrough            4      2    1    1      5     3         7
Queens Park Rangers      5      2    1    2      5     8         7
Sunderland               5      2    0    3      7     8         6
Bury                     5      1    3    1      5     6         6
MANCHESTER CITY          5      1    2    2      8     9         5
Ipswich Town             4      1    2    1      4     4         5
Stoke City               5      1    2    2      2     4         5
Port Vale                4      1    1    2      5     6         4
Tranmere Rovers          5      1    1    3      4     9         4
Norwich City             5      1    1    3      3     9         4
Oxford United            5      1    0    4      6     9         3
Crewe Alexandra          4      1    0    3      5     7         3
Stockport County         5      0    3    2      5     7         3
Huddersfield Town        4      0    2    2      2     5         2
Reading                  5      0    1    4      2    10         1

WWW MANCHESTER CITY SUPPORTERS’ HOME PAGE:
http://www.uit.no/mancity/

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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.

Ashley Birch, mcivta@tollbar.u-net.com

Editor: