Newsletter #974

A point earned at Goodison in a 0-0 slog where once again we had the majority of possession, play and chances but, once again, couldn’t profit. MotM was ex-Evertonian Richard Dunne, who put in yet another solid performance. Let’s hope the midfield and forward line buck up their skills and ideas for Saturday.

Plenty of opinion tonight, from views on the game to KK’s abilities and numerous requests to sort out your derby day viewing, including a couple from journalists researching articles.

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ I: EVERTON 0 MCFC 0

Well let’s be positive – this was better than Poland.

Sun Jihai and SWeeP provided a route through midfield and Dunne gave a feeling of confidence at the back. Barton provided some bite in a defensive midfield rôle and Stuhr-Ellegaard (helped by a post) stopped us losing a point at the end. Distin was enthusiastic but a bit lacking in discipline and Fowler and Anelka at least looked as though they wanted to be playing even if they were lacking in skilful finishing.

I do not understand why SWeeP was substituted when Sinclair, on whom many promising City moves floundered, remained on the pitch. Without being too over the top, Sun and SWeeP make the strongest City link at present whilst Sinclair is without doubt the weakest link.

Fortunately Everton weren’t much cop so we escaped with a point.

To reinforce an earlier MCIVTA comment – play Wiekens against Von Nettletop.

Perhaps we have to accept that KK has found his level – mid-Premiership. If so this puts him on a par with Reid and Kendall as one of the best three post-war managers after the fabulous Mercer-Allison combo. So there should be no pressure on KK unless the City board have some Arsenal type vision with a “Wenger” in mind – somehow I don’t see that!

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ II: EVERTON 0 MCFC 0

Phantom match report “Disgusting and Disgusted”

Heidi, you always ask for match reports and last night before the game I thought I would pen one, but it is not going to happen because of the “disgusting” performance and how “disgusted” I was with the players’ all round attitude, ineptness, desire and teamwork.

I was so looking forward to seeing us live (City are scheduled for live coverage 3 times in December on cable in Australia) almost 2 months since the last time.

When you talk about attitude, team work, and desire, you look to the top man for inspiration. Well, KK, I have listened to you and read some of the things you have said over the last 5 weeks and you are not doing your job. You look very flat and the body language looks very incriminating. Sorry Kev, statements such as “you have got to be happy with a point away from home” and “we know we could have played better” is not on, when Everton were there for the taking. Let’s face it, when the opposition’s centre backs are Stubbs and Unsworth, it’s goals galore time. They are not even worthy of playing in the 1st Division, and in the 2nd half their defence had a left back playing right back and a very poor winger/wide midfielder playing left back. We never took advantage.

Presently City have a certain inevitability about them; we all knew that despite battering Boro we would lose 1-0 and they would not have a genuine effort at goal; we all knew that despite the club’s statement that “the Carling Cup is our best chance of winning something” we would lie down at Spurs; and we all knew we would draw 0-0 at Everton (I even put us down for a draw in the tipping competition). Come on boys!

Where should I start, the poor fans at Goodison, straining out “We love you City we do” for the umpteenth time, they say love is blind!

Tell me, was the pitch icy? If not Sommeil, Sinclair and Anelka were doing some impression of Walt Disney on ice; whatever happened to metal studs, 6 on each boot, so you did not slip over every time you went for the ball? Your professional footballers, you get new boots for sweet FA. Even when I played you had 2 pairs of boots for the season, moulded for the start and finish, screw-ins for the rest. Whilst I am on these guys when is (A) Sinclair going to go past an opposition player with the ball and (B) when is he going to put in a decent cross with either foot? Anelka, how disappointing, he wants away, you can see it 12,000 kilometers away, the man does not want to be there, why do that to the fans who have really worshipped him? He is a selfish b**tard who can’t score, does not want to chase or challenge for the ball and sulks when someone misplaces a pass to him. I say again how disappointing, I so really wanted him to take the club to his heart. What a waste of talent.

One line on the next one: sorry Robbie, go home and hang your boots up; I was embarrassed for you and City.

Macca, you were a breath of fresh air when you walked onto the CoMS against Villa and Spurs; I even said Sven would be mad not to get you back into the team. You played like a tart yesterday (apologies ladies), yes you looked busy and shouted a fair bit, but where was the mazy dribble, the telling pass, the experience to lift the team? You gave the ball away only marginally less than Barton. Tackling – I know you are not renowned for crunching challenges but please don’t try to fake them just in case you might split a fingernail. For God’s sake man, you played with some of the best players in the world, you should be playing well above the sort of players Everton turned out against you yesterday.

Joey, I’ll admit the players around you were abysmal, but you have to improve your skill if you are going to challenge the Gerrards of this league. Too many balls given away, no creativity or going past players, one awful effort of a shot just before half time. Maybe a lot on young shoulders but after all it was only Everton, I thought you would have been up for it!

Now as you are reading this you are saying, Christ this guy is moaning, well the big moan is just about to come… Distin! What a lazy a***hole. For the first 3 heading duels against Jeffers (2) and Roonie he was still in the changing rooms, they won them and did it without jumping off the ground. He is 6’2″ and they are 5’1″. He made a poor excuse for a left back; even the linesman overtook him several times as he ambled back after ball after ball from Everton’s midfield sailed over his head. If Sweep had have been playing against him he would have had a field day. He was no better in the 2nd half; on 2 occasions he left two Everton players at the far post unmarked for free kicks as he ambled into the middle of the area where we already had 4 or 5 players; from both of these incidents Everton should have scored. I almost credited him with 2 clearances near the end of the game but then I realized each time it was Wanchope. Sod the implications that being skipper is a burden; he is like the Elk, did not seem remotely interested. Kev, what a major mistake making him captain.

As for the remaining 5 players I have not bagged, Seaman had nowt to do before he went off, Ellegaard made 2 good saves, but if he plays at the Scum next week I will be concerned about his nerves. Sweep did very little but did suffer through the lack of service; Sun did ok. The only player to walk off reasonably pleased with his performance was Dunne, but not an outstanding performance either.

The whole performance was clumsy and incompetent. The latter was not the case in the first 8 games of the season so why are we not playing like that any more? Are the rumors about KK true, what has been served up on the pitch for the last 4 league games and 2 cup games must also be on the training pitch. The players have to lift as KK seems unable to deliver any passion or motivation.

I know it’s City and they consistently deceive us suffering fans every season, but any repeat of Sunday’s incompetence at the Scum this Saturday will result in a whipping and major heartache for us all.

I am CTID, but yesterday’s performance really jacked me off; please don’t tell me you did not feel the same!

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ III: EVERTON 0 MCFC 0

Not a match report as such ’cause I can never remember half of what goes on these days… must be old age catching up with me.

The highlight of the afternoon had to be on the way to ground on A Coach with the OSC – there we were pootling along when suddenly a traffic cop appears on his bike and gives us an escort to the ground. Mutterings were heard as this had never happened before and a wag at the back of the coach piped up “they probably think we’re the team coach!” Well, he wasn’t far off the mark as we were taken a different way to the ground and, sure enough, ended up outside the players’ entrance. On comes a copper – “are you the team coach?” to which howls of laughter were heard with comments such as, “we could probably play much better” etc.! Copper starts laughing, goes off the coach, informs traffic cop he’s got the wrong ruddy coach and off he sheepishly goes to find the real team! Mind you, hats off to Merseyside Police for having a great sense of humour; even the stewards and Everton fans thought it was a good laugh! Memo to West Midlands police – lighten up!

As for the game… well what can you say apart from erm… grinding out a point? The Dunney-monster was immense in every way (not being rude here ‘onest!) – his best game for us, Fowler, Joey and Sweep (how come he got subbed? Would have taken off Macca myself but that’s just a personal opinion) all worked very hard but M. Anelka? What is up with that bloke? The alarming thing for me was to see him arguing with his team mates, especially Sinclair, who all seemed to be getting more irate with his lack of effort as the game went on. Why isn’t Macken getting a chance? Isn’t KK allowed to drop Nico? Believe me I like the bloke, he’s a great striker but at the moment he’s a liability, and with our “friends” (term used extremely loosely) waiting for us at the Swamp on Saturday, I am beginning to dread the game. Or will it be a big enough occasion for him to stop sulking and stick a couple past our old mate Gary “I’ve never lost to City” Neville? Another question.. why Sibierski above Bosvelt?

Hi ho! It’s off to the Swamp we go!

See ya there!

OPINION: AGM PRIORITIES

This morning I was checking the official website prior to heading off to the AGM when I saw this snippet:

“Manager Kevin Keegan, is regrettably, unable to attend the AGM this year due to a personal engagement”

Considering that the date of the AGM has been set in stone for several months this isn’t good enough. A lot of fans/ small shareholders go to the AGM to hear the manager’s thoughts about the current state of play. It is also the only opportunity most of us get to ask him a question. The one date in KK’s diary every year that he can’t get out of should be the AGM.

Also: why was it only posted on the generally useless official website the morning of the meeting? This is disrepectful to the fans and to the shareholders of our club.

If KK has a prior engagement, he obviously didn’t just tell the press office last night. Why have we been kept in the dark over this?

When the meeting was scheduled did anyone think to ask KK’s secretary if there was a day he couldn’t make?

Considering that the meeting is at Eastlands, it’s not as if we’ve had to hire anywhere. The date should have been changed to accommodate the bl**dy manager. I’m really p**sed off about this and intend pursuing it further.

A further example of foot-shooting and the club not giving a toss about the fans.

Supporting Our Supporters… don’t make me laugh.

[The article first appears on the website on Friday, and I believe the Club are looking at KK having a separate meeting with those shareholders who want one – we shall wait and see. Ed]

OPINION: ARE WE NEARLY THERE, KEV?

It would seem that KK sees things many of us do not, such as playing McManaman and Sinclair in the same line-up; for me, it doesn’t work, the only way to do that would be to put Sweepy at right-back, and we know that’s not his best position! KK is stubbornly persisting with Distin as captain, and with Anelka up front, when he’s not been interested for several games now, and we all know that he will not give Berkovic and Macken a decent crack at it!

So, to me, KK seems both naïve, and stubborn, but he can motivate, but only for the second half it would seem! It is beginning to look then, that where we are is the limit of KK’s managerial skills, and no doubt, he’ll be walking soon if things don’t pick up, and if we’re not careful all our recent spending with little return from the players we’ve let go, and of course, with the large playing staff again, could see our club in a very serious financial mess – KK has been backed with loads of dosh, and he, and some of the players he has bought, has attracted other players, and interest in our club, but now that our form and attitude have changed, it’s going to be hard for KK to attract top players, and I don’t think we’ve any more cash to throw at it anyway have we?

I think to be a great manager, you have to have the humility to say you got it wrong, and to be prepared to make changes, the alternative being no humility, but limitless funds – talking of which, I find it very difficult to see how we can get anything from the derby game; other than Sweepy and Joey, who else will be really, really up for it? Not Anelka, or even Sinclair who claims to be a Blue. Bit worried how we’re going to turn this one round at the moment, yet we have players that are good enough, and we’ve played so much better, but something’s gone very, very wrong recently, and I see we’ve got Dicky and Leicester again in the FA Cup – season over anyone!?

Is this supposed to be where I say “still, at least we’re not where we were 4 years ago?”

As ever, grateful to be a Blue.

OPINION: ONE SEASON WONDERS?

I don’t often put pen to paper, but I really have to say something. I am very, very concerned about the squad we have at the moment. I raised my eyebrows when KK signed a number of ‘experienced’ players (Seaman, Bosvelt, Sinclair, McManaman, Tarnat…) but went with it on the basis that they are all of a level to make us, as a minimum, one-season wonders.

The problem, of course, is that these very same players are showing no verve or passion about our club and are simply not performing. And what is more worrying, is that these players will not be better players next year at all – they will be another year nearer retirement, if they are playing at all. KK has a squad built for the moment, but the moment is in danger of passing before we get a return.

What happens next year? Where are the younger players who will be better next year (other than SWP and Joey, who are stars)? If we stay up (and there must be at least some doubt here), who will be there for us in 2004/5?

OPINION: ODE TO GOODISON

Well Well Well Ha Ha Ha
the Goodison draw and the crowd said ta
thanks for passes incomplete
Anelka wants the ball to feet
I love City that goes without saying
but what about the way they’re playing
caught offside with his shoulders down
arms in the air with that gallic frown
all that money and a big flash house
but is Robbie Fowler the third blind mouse?

Let’s hope we can regain our form
so winning points becomes the norm
like all true fans I hope and pray
that maybe soon we’ll begin to play
attacking football with heart and vision
play for the shirt and to keep your position
so with these words I’ll saunter off.
and gamely sniff and splutter and cough

P.S. above your head Trevor! To think he played for England?

OPINION: THE ELK

Just read Ian Richardson’s tosh in MCIVTA 973. “Take the dosh” for Anelka and do what with it exactly? Attract a world class striker when we’ve got the worst form in the league, and a reputation as a club that doesn’t currently have the desire to get anywhere. The bru-haha that surrounded KK’s arrival and fantastic inital success has thoroughly died down with our indifferent form.

As much as everyone hates the Swamp dwellers, you can’t deny that they’ve been the most successful team in the country. If Taggart is interested in Anelka, there’s a simple reason why – he’s the closest we have to an honest to god top quality player. He’s the finished article. So why shouldn’t we sell him? Because there’s no-one to replace him, and no matter how much we get for him, there’s no-one of his quality who’d come to City in his place.

REQUEST: SPANISH (MALAGA) BLUES

Any Blues out there who can help? I’m moving to Spain in January, Antequerra, Malaga Region and I need some advice.

1. I currently subscribe to Freeserve Anytime for Internet access. Am Ibest to keep this or should I subscribe to a provider in Spain?
2. The same question really about my mobile phone; am I best to subscribehere or in Spain?

Are there any Blues who meet to watch matches? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

REQUEST: LIVERPOOL TICKETS

I know it’s a long shot, but I want to expose my 6 year old daughter to the horrors of this season by taking her to CoMS for the Liverpool game for her first ever game (please don’t tell the NSPCC).

I am a season ticket holder, but both my neighbours are planning on going. If anyone is on holiday and has two seats together, I’d be only too happy to pay to take them off you. Or if you have two together but only one of you is planning on going, I’d love to swap my solo for your double!

REQUEST: VIEWING IN PRAGUE

Due to prior work commitments, next weekend finds me in Prague. Can anybody direct me to a suitable watering hole to watch the derby – preferably in the company of other Blues.

Much obliged.

[No, not that one! – Ed]

REQUEST: BLUE VIEWING IN SYDNEY

Blues in Sydney will be meeting up at the Cheers sports bar on George Street in the city to watch us beat United next weekend.

We will meet from around 9:30pm.

REQUEST: BLUE VIEWING IN DENVER

Any other Blues know where to watch the derby in Denver?

REQUEST: BLUE VIEWING IN MALAYSIA

Having a get together for the derby against the Rags; please contact Shah at:

REQUEST: BLUE VIEWING IN BANGKOK

I am a City fan living in Bangkok. Where is a good place to watch the derby with other City fans? I haven’t come across many in this town full of Reds.

REQUST: ESSEX & SUFFOLK BLUES

The next meeting of the Essex & Suffolk branch of the MCFC Centenary Supporters’ Association will take place a week earlier than usual (to facilitate Christmas parties at work etc.) on Friday December 12th 2003. The venue as always will be The Seabright’s Barn, Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, Essex and kick off will be 8:30pm. All Blues in the area are welcome. Further branch information can me obtained from <essexblues(at)ukonline.co.uk>

Merry Christmas everyone (and it will be a Merry Christmas when we take three points from United on the 13th) and happy Blue year!

REQUEST: DERBY FAMILIES

My name is Eystein Thue, and I am a journalist in the Norwegian daily newspaper Bergens Tidende (100.000 copies, 4th largest in Norway).

This week I’m going to Manchester to make an article on the derby. I am looking for a family which is mixed (father vs. son, husband vs. wife, son vs. son etc.). If you know of any examples, I would very much like to hear from you.

My mobile phone number is +47-95036682.

REQUEST: EURO BLUES’ MEMORIES

I am currently researching City’s adventures in Europe and would be interested to hear from anybody who has stories to recall or memorabilia/press cuttings pertaining to the club’s ventures into European competitions, particularly items relating to any European Cup/Winners Cup matches between 1968-1971 as well as UEFA Cup stories from the 70’s.

Any help on what were some of the greatest years in the club’s history would be greatly appreciated.

REQUEST: MARC VIVIEN FOE MEMORIAL FUND

The online auction is now “live” and you can view the items available from the many Clubs, the FA and various celebs which are available to bid for by visiting the website:

http://www.marcvivienfoe.org

Amongst the City related items kindly donated by Doves are shirts which we have signed by Keegan, Anelka and SWP, we also have a shirt and City magazine signed by Shaun Goater.

For further information please email:

RESULTS

7 December 2003

Everton               0 - 0  Manchester City       37,871
Southampton           3 - 2  Charlton Athletic     30,513

6 December 2003

Newcastle United      1 - 1  Liverpool             52,151
Birmingham City       0 - 4  Blackburn Rovers      29,354
Fulham                2 - 1  Bolton Wanderers      14,393
Leeds United          1 - 1  Chelsea               36,305
Leicester City        1 - 1  Arsenal               32,108
Manchester United     4 - 0  Aston Villa           67,621
Middlesbrough         0 - 0  Portsmouth            28,031
Tottenham Hotspur     5 - 2  Wolverhampton Wndrs   34,825

League table to 07 December 2003 inclusive

                             HOME          AWAY        OVERALL
                    P  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F  A  W  D  L  F   A   GD Pts
 1 Chelsea         15  6  1  0 16  5  5  2  1 13  5 11  3  1  29  10  19  36
 2 Arsenal         15  5  2  0 12  6  5  3  0 17  5 10  5  0  29  11  18  35
 3 Manchester Utd  15  6  1  1 18  4  5  0  2 11  5 11  1  3  29   9  20  34
 4 Fulham          15  4  2  2 14 10  3  2  2 12  9  7  4  4  26  19   7  25
 5 Liverpool       15  3  1  3 11  9  3  3  2 11  7  6  4  5  22  16   6  22
 6 Charlton Ath.   15  2  2  3  9 12  4  2  2 13  8  6  4  5  22  20   2  22
 7 Newcastle Utd   15  3  3  2 10  5  2  3  2 11 15  5  6  4  21  20   1  21
 8 Southampton     15  4  1  3  8  6  1  4  2  5  5  5  5  5  13  11   2  20
 9 Birmingham City 15  2  3  3  6 11  3  2  2  6  7  5  5  5  12  18  -6  20
10 Manchester City 15  2  2  3 12 10  3  2  3 10  9  5  4  6  22  19   3  19
11 Middlesbrough   15  2  2  4  6 10  3  2  2  6  5  5  4  6  12  15  -3  19
12 Tottenham H.    15  4  1  3 13 11  1  2  4  5  9  5  3  7  18  20  -2  18
13 Bolton Wndrs    15  2  4  1  7  4  2  2  4  7 17  4  6  5  14  21  -7  18
14 Blackburn R.    15  3  0  4 11 11  2  2  4 12 13  5  2  8  23  24  -1  17
15 Leicester City  15  2  4  2 12 10  2  0  5 11 13  4  4  7  23  23   0  16
16 Portsmouth      15  4  0  3 15  8  0  4  4  2 12  4  4  7  17  20  -3  16
17 Everton         15  3  3  2 11  7  0  2  5  4 12  3  5  7  15  19  -4  14
18 Aston Villa     15  3  3  1  7  5  0  2  6  4 16  3  5  7  11  21 -10  14
19 Leeds United    15  1  3  4  6 13  2  0  5  7 21  3  3  9  13  34 -21  12
20 Wolves          15  2  3  2  7 14  0  2  6  4 18  2  5  8  11  32 -21  11

MCIVTA FAQ [v0304.06]

[0] MCIVTA Addresses

 Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

 News/rumour (Don Barrie)         : 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

[1] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings.

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

http://www.uit.no/mancity/ 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.

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

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/

[4] What supporters’ clubs are there?

Manchester City FC recognises three supporters’ clubs: The “Official Supporters Club” (http://www.mancity.net/osc/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club” (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/article.asp?article=111845&Title=International+Supporters+Club&lid=Membership).

[5] Where can I find out about the fans’ committee?

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. It has its own website, http://www.mcfc-fans.com/ containing info about forthcoming meetings as well as minutes from previous gatherings.

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

The GMR pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/gmr/sport_intro.shtml.

Live match commentaries and archives of games, reports and interviews can be found at http://www.mcfctv.com/, whilst an alternate live commentary service, hosted by Yahoo, is located at http://uk.sports.yahoo.com/foot/englandprem/cal/index.html.

[7] 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://canadatvsoccer.tripod.com/Fixtures.htm, http://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, and http://www.soccertv.com/.

http://www.foxsportsworld.com/content/view?contentId=1288602 also provides a guide to pubs in the USA showing football.

[8] What’s the music the teams run out to?

It’s actually a mix of two tracks. It starts with “O Verona” (from the motion picture “William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet”) and leads in to “Barber’s Adagio for Strings (Ferry Corsten remix)” by William Orbit. The first part is available on the movie soundtrack (volume 2) and the second is included on a variety of CDs such as Kiss House Nation 2000, Galaxy Hit Mix, Cream Live, Ibiza Chill and Dance Nation 4.

[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.uit.no/mancity/players/

[11] Can I buy shares in the club?

Yes you can: Shares in Manchester City PLC are traded on OFEX. The latest prices can be on found the OFEX web site http://www.ofex.com/ (registration required) or in the business section of the Manchester Evening News.

[12] 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/ or http://www.citystat.net/.

[13] Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Damian Quinn, Stephen Webb, Roger Haigh, Martin Price, and Adrian Howarth for the Satellite TV info.

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: