Newsletter #1042

We ended the pre-season games in a flourish with the 3-1 defeat of Lazio; thanks to Rich for his match view tonight.

There is also plenty of opinion on the forthcoming season, newspaper tittle-tattle on impending departures, and a hatful of requests.

Last, but by no means least, congratulations from all at MCIVTA to our FAQ man David and Katie Warburton on the arrival of the latest Blue Adam Harvey on Friday.

MATCH VIEW: MCFC 3 LAZIO 1

My first chance to see City this season during the pre-season fixtures. At first I couldn’t help but reflect on this tie to the same time last year (Barcelona) – in that we were full of optimism with the new ground and the talk of a top six place. This game seemed much more low-key and CoMS seems much more like a home; hopefully we are entering this new season with realistic expectations and aspire to a top six place. A better home record will certainly go a long way to meeting those.

The game was a typical pre-season friendly and probably wasn’t helped by the soaring heat; the result was the players playing the game at a reasonably leisurely pace. The biggest disappointments were Lazio who simply didn’t turn up to compete (with the exception of their ‘keeper who made some fine saves). The game started well after Anelka linked well with Bosvelt to go 1 on 1 with the ‘keeper and slotted the ball calmly in the corner after only 40 seconds. The second goal came from a corker curling shot into the top corner from Macken. Lazio replied with a dubious penalty decision and City made it 3-1 courtesy from Sibierski penalty from an equally dubious challenge on Wanchope.

Some points from the day:

• I like the banner at the top of the Colin Bell Stand – OneLife OneLoveOneCity – I’m sure some will criticise it but I liked it!
• Programme sellers have new “kiosks” to sell from – for some reason theybrought back memories of watching football in the late 70’s/80s and didn’tseem to fit in their new surroundings but I suppose it beats selling themout of cardboard boxes!
• I was really impressed with Anelka’s and Wanchope’s attitude – they wereboth well fired up (they didn’t even play together – Wanchope was a 2ndhalf substitute); hopefully this will continue into the new season. I wassurprised to not see them start together as towards the end of last seasonthis was obviously the most effective partnership (maybe Wanchope missingFulham due to Costa Rica was the reason).
• Dunne and Fowler seemed to have lost a lot of weight – especially Dunne,he looked very fit.
• Thatcher looked useful and hopefully along with Mills will shore up thedefence.
• Youngsters getting a run out was a good thing – Flood was very impressiveas right back, as was Jordan at left back. McCarthy and Bischoff had lessinvolvement and Bischoff seemed to look a little lost in the holdingmidfield rôle (anyone know why BWeeP wasn’t given a run out?).
• Sinclair’s confidence looks shot – in the second half he had 4 or 5chances to shoot and elected to pass. The Trevor Sinclair who played forWest Ham would have buried those chances (especially considering this was afriendly game). Being one of under-achievers last year you can’t help butfeel this is a make/break season for Sinclair.
• What happened in the South Stand in the second half (seemed to be lotsof stewards legging it to the front of the stand – considering Lazio boughtat best 10 people it couldn’t have been crowd trouble!)?
• Playing Nessun Dorma at the end of the game (cringe) – really the onlysong which would have been more ridiculous would have been “Just OneCornetto”. Who makes these stupid PA decisions!?

Can’t wait for Fulham next week, let’s all get behind the lads and have a great season!

OPINION: LOOKING AHEAD

Well a new season’s almost upon us and I’m a little worried! Is this the same Manchester City that couldn’t fight its way out of a wet paper bag last season?

We never (well almost never) win pre-season games and we’re undefeated pre-season and judging by the reports are playing well. Geez I hope this is our year. I’ve followed City since 1965 and after the Bell, Summerbee, Doyle era the only way was down. I didn’t realise the down would last a couple of decades!

Still, I really feel confident about this season, we’ve got a bit of mongrel at the back with Mills and Thatcher, as long as Mills stays on the paddock, and a few positional changes and I think Kevin Keegan may have got it right. Hope so.

It would be really nice to end the Anelka and Wright-Phillips sagas and let them get on with what they do best, play footie. My friend is going back to Manchester for a holiday and will see a few games; I wonder if he could squeeze me in his suitcase! One day before I get old, I’d like to see them live. Oh well dreams are free.

To everyone, enjoy the season, I think it’s going to be a good ‘un.

OPINION: SELLING THE FAMILY SILVER?

I for one like the bloke. He’s a goal getter, and if he gets fed with the right through balls (as Bosvelt did on Saturday) he will get enough goals to keep us in the Premiership, and maybe more besides.

What worries me is KK’s comments regarding the Monaco overtures. It sounded like a man who is resigned to the fact that if any sizeable offer comes in he’ll have to sell. It sounded like a man who has already been told by the board that they want to recoup some cash. One could argue that it is good business to cash in on one of our few saleable assets but it leaves a big hole. Who out of the rest is going to get 20 goals per season?

Who’s next? SWP to Spurs? £6 million if it is to be believed is a lot of money, but nowhere near what he’s worth. But if the board are running scared on the financial front who knows what they’ll do?

Where’s David Bernstein when you need him?

OPINION: CITY ON TV

Friends,

I have read on MCIVTA about your concern over the lack of TV coverage of Manchester City games. Here’s some advice for you lot: Move to Sweden!

I’m living in Luleå, in the very north of Sweden (actually not far from the Arctic Circle) and I will be watching City’s three first games on Canal+. That’s only for starters. The further schedule for the TV channel has not been decided yet. And furthermore, this TV channel will be showing nine (!) games from the opening round of Premier League. So now you know, Sweden is heaven for all football-fans.

P.S. I would like to take the opportunity and thank for all valuable help I received regarding my trip to Manchester in September.

OPINION: VOLLEY FOR THE CLUB

Following Rob Springthorpe’s rallying cry a couple of MCIVTAs ago. City have been promoted from the second division as champions and are currently third in the first division behind Everton and leaders Partick. With only Rangers anywhere in sight in fourth we’re in good shape for the Prem. The incentive is even greater as the current champions are that team from the next City. So if you are not addicted yet, get on board and help us winning the league, it’s a good omen for things to come – and there again, shouldn’t I been working harder at getting this Masters degree?!

http://www.playforyourclub.com Whatever you do, Stay Blue!

OPINION: NO, HONESTLY!

This has nothing to do with football; does anyone know a decent bricklayer/builder to do a small job extending a ginnell/passage between two houses by about 3 ft (plus a doorway) in Wythenshawe for me? StrugglIng to find anyone! Preferably a Blue!

Come on City next year! Is it me or have things been the quietest ever? I remember some controversial subjects of conversation getting things going a few years ago; let’s stir things up a bit. I wish Fowler and Macca were on their way out for example. Make me eat my words lads. Please! Sun Jihai too sometimes! Great player, but Distin captain? Oh No. Time for change. New broom?

REQUEST: FULHAM TICKET AVAILABLE

I have 1 spare ticket for the game against Fulham. Contact me on the email address below if you are interested.

REQUEST: SEASON TICKET AVAILABLE

I have a season ticket in the East Stand lower that is available for this season only. To all those seriously interested, please contact me via email.

REQUEST: FANTASY LEAGUE

I have set up a new Fantasy League on the FA Premiership website, called the MCFCSTATS PREMIERSHIP, and invite MCIVTA subscribers to register a team and join the above league. There is no cost to register, but you can win weekly prizes from the site. There is no administration for anybody to do, as all the marks are done automatically after each game is played. You don’t even need to remember to enter each week, as your team will be the same for the next week if you do not change it by the stated deadline on the website.

I will administer the league, not that there is much to do. If you want to join, please follow the instructions below to set up your team and join the league, then send an email to me (address below), stating your name, your team name and your own personal email address, so I can correspond with everyone. The first week starts on Saturday August 14th, but you can join at any time after that.

Here is a copy of the email that briefly explains where you need to go to set up your fantasy team, and the special code number you need to enter to join the MCFCSTATS league. You can also enter your team into other leagues, and there are on-line prizes for the best team score each week and season, but beware there are already 110,000 teams registered! Remember there is nothing to pay to register a team on the site.

“Steve Kay has invited you to play in their Fantasy Premier League called MCFCSTATS PREMIERSHIP. If you aren’t already playing the game then you can register at http://fantasy.premierleague.com/ Once you have logged in and entered your team, click on the ‘Leagues’ link you can find on the right of the page. Now enter the code 91662-20485 (include the hyphen) to join the private league. There is a “Rules” section that tells you how to set up your team, and how the points are calculated.”

Hope you’ll join in the fun. You never know, we may award a trophy for the MCFCSTATS PREMIERSHIP Champions next May!

BLUE HUMOUR: SVENGATE

Ah, a pleasure to see football “affairs” conducted so professionally. Given the young lady’s decision to sell her story and details of further dalliance, might we hope to see one the dailies step to the fore with the headline “FA FA at FA.”?

MCIVTA FAQ [v0405.01]

[1] 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

[2] What are MCIVTA’s publishing deadlines?

Deadlines for issues are nominally 6pm, Monday and Thursday evenings bu email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] 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.

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

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

[5] 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).

[6] 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.

[7] 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/.

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

[9] Do we have a Usenet newsgroup?

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

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

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

[13] Where can I find a list of City-related websites?

Try Wookie’s Lair: http://www.wookieslair.com/modules.php?name=Web_Links

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: