Newsletter #1148

A bumper issue tonight with news after the first game, continued transfer rumblings and match reports from both Boro and reserves.

We have plenty of opinion on the transfer, finances, and of course website and commentary.

There are also a fair number of requests, for both Blues’ viewing, quiz and fans’ football.

Finally, any volunteers to try the news section during Don’s break?

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Mills Spills the Beans: It only seems like yesterday that Danny Mills was defending the KK regime at City – all the players were happy, it was an honour to work with the former England coach etc. It now appears that Danny Boy was being economical with the truth. “I felt training under Kevin wasn’t up to the standard it should have been. The quality was poor,” Mills stated last Friday. “There were lots of little things I felt needed to be put right. Discipline could also be a bit lax. But that’s in the past. The new gaffer has come in and put things right. The players are happier and working harder. We are trying to build for the future.” The 28-year-old is keen to get off to a good start this season after enduring a disappointing campaign last term. “I was not the happiest person coming into training and my fitness was not where it should have been,” admitted Mills. “My form after Christmas was also not as good as it should have been. But I have worked hard in the summer on my fitness and now I am raring to go.”

More Intimidation, Please: Stuart Pearce believes that the COMS needs to become a more intimidating venue for visiting teams. “Maine Road was quite a noisy, intimidating atmosphere and we’ve got to get that here,” explained Pearce. “Something will have to happen. We want a bit of liveliness. As the season goes on that will come as the supporters get more accustomed to this stadium.”

Hello Mr. Pot, Meet Mr. Kettle: Any aspiring author will tell you that a great way to push book sales is to try to stir up a bit of controversy prior to publication. This week’s latter-day Dickens is none other than Boro penalty misser and über-landlord, Robert Fowler. The former England striker (or his ghost writer at the very least) has been having a go at the England coach – “Fowler slates Sven”, announced the Sunday journals. “Sven Goran Eriksson has, for me, a reputation vastly inflated beyond his actual achievements,” he writes in his book – which is being serialised by the Mail On Sunday. “He was a safe pair of hands after Kevin Keegan but he wasn’t the first choice of the players. The FA took the unprecedented step of asking some of the senior players who they thought should be the next manager. Almost to a man, everyone who was asked came up with the name that I would have offered – Terry Venables.”

International Round-Up: Ben Thatcher was forced to withdraw from the Welsh squad against Slovenia in Wednesday night’s friendly in Swansea. David James probably wishes he’d withdrawn from the England party that faced Denmark on the same night. Coming on for the second half with the score at 0-0, Jamo conceded three goals in seven minutes, the first coming after a rash foray from his goal by DJ. England went on to lose 4-1, and you can safely say that our ‘keeper did his future international chances no good at all by later admitting that his preparation for the game had been wrong: “You should prepare to play,” said James. “The watchwords are practice, practice, practice. For once I didn’t adhere to that and everyone saw the result. Because I knew I wasn’t going to start, for once I didn’t do my starting preparations. The whole thing about preparation is that you could go on in the first minute. It is a lesson I try to teach youngsters and it is one I should follow through myself. Maybe I can get away with this one because it is a friendly and has no bearing on qualification. But I am representing England and I should have paid more attention. There were things I did that I will make totally sure I never do again.”

Money Man Pays Up: Bradley Wright-Phillips grabbed a late winner for the reserves at the mini-COMS this week. He struck on 87 minutes to give the second string a 2-1 victory over Middlesbrough. Stephen Ireland gave the home side the lead with a half-volley on 44 minutes, but Massimo Maccarone’s shot bobbled into the City net off Micah Richards just after half-time. It was left to BWP to snatch the late winner. Boss Steve Wigley said later: “I thought in the first half we didn’t hold the ball up at the front, and when you don’t do that no matter what system you play you will have problems. I was forced to change to 4-3-3, which made us a bit stronger in midfield. We were lucky to be in the game in the first half really. I thought Middlesbrough were the better team, we started brightly, but it just went away from us.” He paid tribute to the late goalscorer. “Bradley hadn’t had his best of games – he’s what I call a ‘money man’ though. When certain people are in that position you want to be with them. I was quite pleased when it fell to him. It was the only one he had on the night and he tucked it away.” Team: Schmeichel; Warrender (c), Collins, Onuoha, Richards; D’Laryea, Croft, Ireland, Miller (Etuhu 65); Wright-Phillips, Sibierski (Laird 65). Unused subs: Matthewson, Bennett.

Transfer News and Gossip

Sam Slams City Over Stelios: Much to everyone’s surprise, Saturday’s Daily Mirror announced that City had signed Bolton’s Greek star Stelios Giannakopoulos in a dramatic £1 million raid. Bolton chairman Phil Gartside soon denied the story. “We have not received any offer from Manchester City, or any other club for that matter,” said Gartside. “Stelios is under contract until the end of the season and negotiations are progressing well in respect of him signing an improved contract. The speculation is unsettling the player and all he wants to do is concentrate on playing for Bolton.” Manager Sam Allardyce then weighed in with a diatribe against City’s bid, which had the added bonus of deflecting any criticism from Bolton fans over the alleged sale. “There is obviously a big disappointment from our point of view that it has leaked out from Manchester City in terms of them saying they have made a bid on the eve of a new season,” Allardyce told Sky Sports News. “I find it a little harsh to take. We could have done our business quietly, it could have come out tomorrow and that would not be a problem, but I think this is poor and we have to live with it. We will have to speak with Stelios. The chairman will determinedly resist any offers that Manchester City make unless they make an offer which is so big we can’t refuse and we will talk with Stelios next week and see what the situation is.” And despite his fuming, Big Sam was soon inviting a higher bid from City: “£1 million is not enough,” he told BBC GMR. “If they want to negotiate some more, fair enough. Because this has come to light we will have a meeting with Stelios and talk to Manchester City. We will see where we go from there.” And Allardyce did his best to scupper the deal by announcing that he wanted £4 million for the 31-year-old Greek winger. “It will come down to how much City offer him, how much we offer him and how much City offer for his transfer,” Allardyce revealed. “If he stays, that’s great. If he doesn’t, he goes on our terms – not on anybody else’s. We’ll see if City want to negotiate. If we can get £4 million, we’ve got some money to spend.”

Yasser, That’s His Baby: City have completed the signing of Qatar midfielder Yasser Hussein on a six-month contract. The 23-year-old was recommended to the club by former player Ali Benarbia and has won a deal after impressing during two pre-season games. “I’ve backed what I saw in a game and a half up with what I’ve seen on video,” SP said. “With the length of contract we are offering it’s no gamble for this football club. He’s been as keen as mustard to come over here and show us what he can do, and he’s done enough to suggest that it will be well worth having a look at him.” Fears have been expressed that Hussein is too small to cope with the rigours of the Premiership, but Pearce doesn’t agree. “You look at Shaun Wright-Phillips and you might think ‘lightweight’,” Pearce told his club’s official website, SP said. “One thing I noticed about Yasser is that he is not afraid to go in for a tackle or jump for a header. They’re not the traits of a lightweight. He’s been keeping himself fit. His wife was due to have a baby last week so I told him that once his work permit was sorted out to make sure his wife was happy. I like to tell players that if there is a problem with their wives’ health to go away and then come back with a clear head.” Hussein has had a work permit granted and will link up with his new squad once international clearance has been received.

Stu’s Pep Talk: Although he didn’t play for the reserves this week, Spanish star Josep Guardiola is said to be close to agreeing a deal with the Blues. “I was impressed when Stuart Pearce called me himself to invite me here,” said Guardiola. “That showed class. I remember Pearce as a great player and I’m here to show I can still play at this level. I know that people have forgotten about me a bit, but I’m not too embarrassed to have a trial here. I am a humble man. If I can get a contract that will be great, but if I’m not up to it then I will say thank-you to Stuart Pearce and try somewhere else. I could retire but I love football and just want to play.”

Ex-Blues’ News

Stoke Grant Tony a Chance: Remember when Tony Grant was our creative midfield option? Well Stoke City have taken Grant on trial. The 30-year-old began his career at Everton as a trainee and also spent time on loan at Swindon Town, Tranmere Rovers and West Bromwich Albion. He moved to Manchester City for £450,000 in 1999 before making a £250,000 switch to Burnley two years later. At Turf Moor he made 144 starts and has been a regular in the Clarets’ first team for the last four years. Earlier in the summer he was on trial with Oldham Athletic.

Close to the Edg, but Buzzer Flies to Robins: Nicky Summerbee has re-signed for Swindon, the club he left in 1994 to join City for £1.5 million. The 33-year-old was a free agent after leaving Bradford in April, and had been targeted by Motherwell, but has now joined Town on non-contract forms. “My agent called me and asked if I fancied coming to Swindon. I said yes – I had some great times here,” he said. “A lot of things have changed here, but my memories are good – hopefully there are more to come.” And speaking of Bradford – the Bantams have signed former City skipper Richard Edghill on a free transfer. Edghill, who left QPR at the end of last season, has agreed a short-term contract until Christmas with a view to extending the deal. Bradford boss Colin Todd said: “Richard’s got a lot of experience at a higher level and his fitness levels are good. He knows what it’s all about.” Edghill had spells at Wigan and Sheffield United before joining QPR (thanks Ian Burgess).

Chop Off: Paulo Wanchope says that he is ready for life in Qatar, after an unhappy season in Spain with Malaga. “Malaga is now a chapter in my life that has been closed, you can’t go back or lament anything,” he said. “I want to give myself a break from that, I have got a season here with Al-Gharrafa and if that doesn’t work out, I can go back to England, where the doors are still open for me.” However, the striker was optimistic about his new footballing adventure. “I am excited by the challenges and the chance to play in an unknown league that is still developing, it is important for me,” he added.

Reactions and Comments

Firing Blanks: It sounded like both managers had adapted the same script on Saturday evening, as SP discussed the first game of the season, which saw City draw 0-0 with West Brom. Both said that they were disappointed, although for different reasons. “I’m probably a bit disappointed but I’m pleased we haven’t conceded a goal. I’m disappointed we haven’t won the game; we set out all week to try and win the match,” Pearce said on Sky. “We had a good opportunity to win the game but credit to West Brom I think they are a bit more battle-hardened than they were last season. I think they’ll be a tougher side to knock over this year and I think they are a touch more organised, credit to their manager and coaching staff.” Robbo meanwhile was “A little disappointed we didn’t get the three points because in the overall game I thought the best chances were Zoltan Gera and Kevin Campbell but unfortunately on the day we didn’t win,” said Robson. “It’s a good, solid start for us.” Pearce was obviously disappointed not to win, but tried to look at the positives from the game. “If we keep doing the right things with a bit more quality, I think we’ll cause teams problems. Now and then you pull your hair out when you lose your shape. In the main we were pretty well organised, but we didn’t cause them as many problems as I would have liked and our finishing could have been slightly better. But I think we’ll be a stronger side next Saturday.” David James was required to make a couple of fine saves, but his counterpart Chris Kirkland was the main thorn in City’s side, denying Reyna, Thatcher, Cole, and Barton at times. “He got his hands on a couple of decent efforts, but maybe we didn’t do enough to win the game if I’m quite honest. A draw was probably a fair result.”

Worked Up Over Wallwork: Most match reports focussed on two themes – the performance of West Brom’s on-loan ‘keeper, Chris Kirkland, and an unseemly fracas involving most of the players on the pitch. Kirkland was pleased to have begun his Albion career in such fine form, having been loaned out by Liverpool after a couple of injury-ravaged seasons at Anfield. “I found out an hour and a half before the game that I would be playing and I was delighted,” Kirkland told Sky Sports. “I’ve got a lot of things to make up for and I’m just delighted to get a clean sheet for the team today. I thought we defended very well. I’m a West Brom player now, the gaffer and the club took a chance on me; everyone knows all the injuries I have had and how long I’ve been out of the game, but they took a chance on me and I’m so grateful for that and I’m going to try and repay them with my performances.” As full-time approached, WBA’s Ronnie Wallwork lay on the turf, seemingly in great distress. Referee Chris Foy stopped the game as soon as he saw the recumbent player – this incensed City, who had broken up field in a promising position. And City’s self-appointed on-pitch hardman, Danny Mills, decided to “assist” Wallwork back to his feet, first by picking him up by the shoulders of his shirt, then by reinforcing his displeasure by grabbing Wallwork by the throat. Pearce admitted he spoke to Foy after the final whistle to accept responsibility for any of his players’ indiscretions. “As soon as I saw the lad was down, I thought he was in a lot of distress,” said Pearce. “I was hoping the referee would stop the game straight away, although it didn’t help that West Brom, for one reason or another, played on. If that had been one of my players, I would have wanted the game stopped. I can’t condone what happened afterwards. I know we might have scored but I don’t expect my players to get involved in situations like that and I have apologised to the referee if any of them were.”

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again: After last week’s agonising over what style of manager he wanted to be on the touchline, it’s heartening to report that the Psycho we know and love was back on duty on Saturday. Clad in his trusty tracksuit, Pearce culminated a fine, animated display by accidentally slide tackling Baggies’ boss Bryan Robson in the technical area (ouch, sounds painful). Happily both Pearce and Red Robbo found the incident hilarious.

Squad News

Adams Family Values: After the WBA game, SP revealed the help Joey Barton has received after his name was in the papers for all the wrong reasons – Barton was fined and came close to being sacked after a flare-up on City’s tour of Thailand, months after stubbing out a cigar in a team-mate’s eye. On top of that Barton’s brother and cousin have been charged after a horrific axe murder in his native Liverpool. Pearce said: “He has been away for three days this week, talking with professional people and working hard. He is working with Tony Adams’ Sporting Chance and I have been impressed with them. Joey seems a better balanced person, but only time will tell. Joey only joined in with us on Thursday and I thought he was the best player in our team. He showed a mature performance. We have got to give a young man as much assistance as we can; if he betrays my trust I will have a re-think. He will continue to speak to the people concerned as often as it is deemed necessary. Joey has to come out the other end, whether that is at 35, 45 or 55, and not get into the kind of scrapes he has been in during recent times.”

Au Revoir, David? There was an unfamiliar look to City’s back four on Saturday, featuring Stephen Jordan and David Sommeil at centre back. Sommeil realises that he will have to play amazingly well to dislodge either Richard Dunne or Sylvain Distin as first choice in that position, but is still glad of an opportunity to impress the Gaffer. “Sylvain and Richard are one of the best defensive partnerships in the Premiership,” he says. “They are two of the first names on the team sheet. They both did a great job last year and they will be very hard to keep out of the side when they are fit. Obviously it was nice to play from the start but I am under no illusions. It is a long time since I played and I enjoyed being back in the Premiership, especially in a home match and in my favourite position after playing at right back quite a lot. Hopefully I took my chance. Everyone has a chance to play at City under the new manager and that is a good thing,” he said. “I am happy to be here and take my chances when they come. The Premiership is a very big competition and the atmosphere at every game is very special. Maybe I will go back to France at the end of the season, I do not know but for now I am concentrating as playing as well as I can whenever I can for City.”

Not So Sharp: Robbie Fowler is many weeks away from full fitness, according to Boss Man Stu. “He has not trained with the first team yet,” Pearce told City’s official website. “We are a number of weeks away yet from the point where I can say `Robbie Fowler, you’re ready to come into contention to get into our football team now’. How many weeks that will be, I don’t know, but he’s got to get onto a training pitch and have at least a week with us to get his fitness and sharpness up and it certainly won’t be in the next one or two weeks, I suspect.”

Burnley Bound: Karl Bermingham’s reward for scoring at Sheffield Wednesday the other week is a month’s loan at Championship side Burnley. Karl had a spell with Lincoln City last season and is looking forward to honing his skills at the higher level. “I was told on Friday that Burnley had come in for me and would I like to go on loan?” he said. “With them being a Championship team, and if I get the chance to play there it will be a great experience. It’s a good standard of football and I can show the manager what I can do and come back. Other people have gone out on loan and come back with a spring in their step and that’s what I hope to do. City has always been the number one aim, and everything’s built around getting into the first team, and hopefully this will help.” And fellow Irishman Willo Flood was expected to complete a similar loan move to Coventry this week. The Ireland Under-21 international is unlikely to be a regular the Premiership this season, and will be farmed out to gain first team experience at Coventry. The Sky Blues are in need of a boost after a 4-0 defeat to Burnley at the weekend, and will be keen to see if the winger can underline why he is considered a star of the future. With Stelios Giannakopolous heavily linked with a move to City, Flood could well find himself further down the pecking order. The opportunity to play regularly could well be a boon to the 20-year-old, who will be aiming to show that he can be a hit at the top level of the game.

EDITIORIAL REQUEST

We are looking for somebody to stand-in for the News section for MCIVTA 1150 (25 August) as Don is away. If anybody would like to have a go, or would like more details, please could you contact Don.

MATCH REPORT: MCFC 0 WBA 0

Thought I would have a go at a match report as there were none in MCIVTA 1147.

Before I begin, I just want to underline that this is how I saw the game. If it sparks debate and people write in with their own views, that makes for a better MCIVTA!

I arrived just before kick-off and noticed that there were more empty seats than usual. Odd for the first game of the season (attendance was later announced at just over 42,000).

As the team were announced, there were no surprises in midfield and attack, but the defensive line-up sounded worrying. No Dunne, Distin or Onouha! How would we get on with a central pairing of Sommeil and Jordan? They lack height and experience in that position and Kanu & Campbell can be a handful…

Thankfully the defence was pretty sound for the whole game. Sommeil played well considering his lack of first team football, with some crucial timely tackles and he easily had enough pace to handle the West Brom front men. Jordan also impressed in an unfamiliar rôle. Our full backs performed as expected with some no-nonsense marking – Thatcher now sporting a “tough-nut” shaved head to give some visual symmetry to the back four.

James kept things under control with another excellent performance. What a great signing David James was. Imagine if Seaman was still flapping around in the box.

Defensive summary: It’s very difficult to find fault with a clean sheet. Gera did have one free header, which he managed to put wide. Mills had his usual weekly “handbags” incident, this time with Wallwork who, to be fair, made a meal of his “injury” right in front of where I was sat. WBA were time-wasting for the away point by that stage, which is fair enough.

In midfield there seemed to be a lot of huffing and puffing with very little end product.

Sinclair has a long way to go to fill SWP’s shoes and I don’t recall him beating a man the whole game. Barton gave a solid display but the West Brom midfield is hardly a Premiership barometer. Reyna looked sharp and produced some promising link-up play with our new forwards. Musampa was the best midfielder for me, building on his good end to last season. He now has good pace for the whole game, an excellent left-footed cross of the ball and rarely loses possession – an ability which would benefit the team if he taught Barton and Sinclair the secret! Kiki either crosses the ball, or wins a corner or throw-in. Fine by me!

Of Vassell and Cole, Andy had a good game with a really excellent first touch and lots of strength on the ball. But for Kirkland, he would have opened his account on his début. He still has pace, and with his first touch and vision, he will (as KK liked to say) bring something else to the party! Darius looked a few games short of the rest of the squad so I will reserve judgement for now. I would have brought Bweep on at half time.

Towards the end of the game, BWP, Croft and Sibierski were introduced but were not able to provide that bit of magic. Again I would like to see Croft get a decent amount of time on the pitch to try to cause problems.

All-in-all a solid if unspectacular start to the campaign. Pearce is clearly doing the business in defence with a 9 game unbeaten run. Now all we need is a world class right winger to supply Cole and Vassell.

Seriously I would say the addition of Stelios plus one more creative midfielder (Malbranque?) should give the team a good lift for the season.

MATCH REPORT: MCFC RESERVES 2 MFC RESERVES 1

MiniCOMS played host to its first home reserve fixture of the season on a balmy August evening, with Middlesbrough as the visitors. I blame the sunshine for the one-sided and Blue-eyed view of this game. Line-ups below as usual, and an improvement on last week in that 15 of the 16 team members were Academy products, Antoine (50 pence head) Sibierski being the only senior squad member. Bermingham was withdrawn from the team at the last minute given his move to Burnley, but stayed around to watch and support the game. Boro fielded a more experienced team but it didn’t really matter on the night.

As to be expected, City started well and in attacking mode as 50 pence hit a soft volley towards the Boro goal. Boro managed to retaliate, with the majority of their attacking play coming from the left wing in the form of Adam Johnson, who set up a couple of attempts but Kasper was fortunately alert and Warrender provided defensive cover. Bradley WP then made an inexplicable two-footed sliding tackle on Cooper, the resulting crunch of boot on shinpad all too audible from our vantage point but fortunately both players got up with no ill-effect.

The game was fairly even paced as Miller went on a run from almost the halfway line down the left hand side, cut across the Boro defence, took the ball into the box and then shot at the Boro ‘keeper who was waiting for the ball. That was the first sign that the Boro defence were perhaps not quite keeping up with the attacks City provided from midfield. Our latest midfield dynamo, whom those that watch will be all too familiar with, is one Stephen Ireland. Ireland was playing with his left wrist in a cast, but this in no way hampered his play. It was good to see Ireland, BweeP, Croft, and D’Laryea linking up and creating the chances as we’ve seen for 2-3 years down at Platt Lane youth games.

A few more chances either end, until just before the whistle. Croft sent a ball into the box, which was hit on the half volley by the man with the cast; Ireland sent it neatly past the Boro ‘keeper to put us ahead 1-0. It was nearly 2-0 immediately as 50 pence came close to scoring from a header, but it wasn’t to be.

Half-time: quick break and chat with those ex-City managers who are still firm favourites (and thankfully frequent visitors to supporters’ clubs) Horton and Book. Then back out to watch us get our first 3 points of the season.

No changes for either side, but City seemed to have lost their impetus. We were left somewhat bewildered as to what happened on about 50 minutes as Boro approached the City goal and Maccarone (who had been pretty rubbish thus far) was allowed far too much space. The City defence stood off as if to say “your turn” as he tapped at the ball, which moved slowly towards and over the line. Utter confusion from both sides as Boro didn’t realise they had scored and we wondered what had happened. Lack of instruction from the goalmouth, or defensive inattention? It certainly wasn’t a quick attack, and seemed to unfold in slow motion. 1-1.

An hour into the game and City were in full attack as Ireland, who was instrumental in midfield (have I already mentioned him ;-)), and by now being given attention by the Boro lads, sent a ball back to Miller who had a chance but the Boro ‘keeper was ready. 50 pence and Miller were then replaced by Laird and Etuhu as we prepared for a Boro offensive.

Their constant threat, No 11, Johnson, played a back heel to Maccarone but fortune was on our side as ball bobbled and Kasper saved.

With Boro now hanging on for the point, City changed formation to the usual 4-4-2 and with minutes to go, a fluffed pass from Boro gave Ireland the opportunity to send an inch perfect ball through the Boro defence to BweeP who took control as he ran into the box and in a 1-on-1 with the ‘keeper sent the ball over him and into the net. Pure BweeP and 2-1 to the Blues. First 3 points for new man Wigley and a welcome start to the home season.

MotM – have to award two here. Ireland of course, and Johnson from Boro.

Attendance was supposedly 1,001. It’s difficult to judge at MiniCOMS and we always have a “guess the crowd” from our vantage point; the official figures are always far more!

MATCH VIEW: MCFC 0 WBA 0

Walking away from COMS on Saturday I kept hearing mutterings like “We should be beating the likes of West Brom” and “Disappointing result as always”.

Why? Let’s face it – it is too easy to stereotype Albion as a struggling side, they were a far better team that the one that came and got dominated last season, looking like the year’s experience of Premiership football had done them good. They defended doggedly and had arguably the game’s best 2 chances. Let’s be objective about this, there are few easy games in the Premiership – look at Wigan / Chelsea on Sunday!?

In a way, I’m glad we can take stock so early. All this talk of Top of the Table at the end of August is just not healthy for City.

As for the Blues, considering we had 1 first choice defender in, a clean sheet is a right result. But boy, do we miss D&D’s calm control and I would start with a fit Nedum, with Stephen Jordan completing the quartet. ASAP please.

In the middle, Barton and Reyna looked cohesive and up front, the striker formerly known as Andy looked lively. I hope Pearce will look at Vassell’s energy and think he might be better used on the right (poor Trev – I doubt he’ll ever win us over) with BWP up front with Andrew? His 2 goals vs. Olympiacos were finishing of the highest order.

For those early season groaners, judge us on a fully fit team. And remember it will be a tough journey, for everyone!

P.S. I see the South Stand “Stewards vs. Fans Stand Up Sit Down” has started in earnest already. Hope the stewards chill out and just let the fans watch the game – very distracting for the rest of us!

OPINION: BIRMINGHAM TRAVEL

Please note there are road works on the M6 between junction 17 and junction 15 north & southbound. There is a 40mph speed restriction, so those of you travelling to Brum on Saturday please allow yourself a little more time.

OPINION: MONEY MATTERS

So another season is underway. For the first time in a couple of years we start the season without an ‘impact’ player à la Shaun or Anelka – and by all accounts it was noticeable due to the lack of atmosphere at COMS on Saturday. I have read reports of SP berating sections of the crowd with the words ‘this isn’t a library, get behind your team.’ Well Stuart, you have my best wishes as manager of MCFC, but you also need to be realistic…

How on earth are the fans meant to be excited about the forthcoming season when it is clear we are being left further behind our competition (Spurs, Boro, Birmingham et al). Whilst these clubs have significantly strengthened their squads over the summer, we have again allowed ours to be weakened. I’m not getting into the rights and wrongs of selling Shaun, but I do now have a question for our beloved board of directors – where’s all the f*@*ing money?

£21 million in one lump sum for Shaun. £10 million plus in Premiership TV money. £7 million for Anelka. £750,000 for Macken. Plus the savings we have made in wages by releasing top earners like Bosvelt and McMinimum. In my last contribution to MCVITA I mentioned a rumour someone close to the club passed onto me. Now I’m going to be a little more explicit about it. I have heard from two separate very good sources, that the summer played out like this: SP was told that although there was a small amount of money to spend (somewhere in the region of £5-7 million), the sale of Shaun was inevitable, and that the money from that sale would be used to service the soft loans paid out by Wardle and Makin. As such, it was better PR for the club to wait until the sale of Shaun, then release the £7 million that was always there, for transfers. This way, the fans believe Shaun’s sale was the catalyst for new signings, placating them somewhat, the bosses get their money, and Stuart gets a few players.

I have no idea how accurate the above is – what I do know, is that we have spent net £1.75 million on players since last season ended. We have made noises about signing a player who clearly had no interest in coming to City (surely they will have checked with Malbranque’s agent before making the offer) – and are now after an ageing player who at best has two seasons left in him – again for a fee of around £1 million…

It’s time the club started to take a little notice of its fans. We are in dire need of two quality, ‘impact’ midfielders. City need to loosen the purse strings, and Pearce needs to start looking across Europe at the myriad of talent based over there. If he is struggling to attract quality players, the club need to address this and bring someone in to assist him in the transfer market. I am afraid that rather than bridging the gap between the top six and us, we are widening it further.

If the club and manager want the fans shouting – they need to give us something to shout about.

OPINION: TRANSFER POLICY

I wish to register considerable contempt at City’s recent futile transfer market dealings. Only last weekend was the below-the-belt attempt in using the media to lure Stelios from Bolton on the first day of the season. Bolton have every right to be upset at our tactics.

Previously, there was the grand proclamation that Malbranque was about to join City. In fact, a deal was nowhere near being concluded. Such arrogance.

SWP was sold without a fight, and £4 million below his true market (Chelsea) value. Meanwhile, it is alleged that members of the board were slapping each other on the back at bringing-in such a lofty fee. Well done chaps! Why did SWP leave? Because this board of directors insists on asset stripping the squad and in not adding quality to it. SWP really had no choice but to move on. Who can blame him? I wonder what might have happened had City brought in a couple of decent players. Cole and Vassell are merely replacements for Wanchope and Anelka. Musampa on loan. Lots of players leaving and not being replaced.

Our chairman is the man who sanctioned KK’s fantastic £50 million giveaway around the time the transfer market collapsed. The present board has proved time after time it is incapable of leading this football club. Where is the vision? Where is the financial leadership?

Sadly, we’re now seeing a football club in decline. A club without ambition. A club without leadership.

So Mr Wardle, you’ve got your money back. 43,000 for the first game of the season. Say goodbye.

OPINION: SUBS MISUSES

Having read a right load of twaddle in today’s press regarding our apparently lucky escape vs. WBA, I have to admit I am stumped as to why Lee Croft never seems to get a start!

Kev didn’t do it, and now Stu seems reluctant too. Wonder why it is, ’cause us lot in the South Stand all rate him every time he comes on, and to reaffirm another comment on here, 5 minute cameos just aren’t going to persuade anyone as to anyone’s ability.

Come on Stu, get him picked, at least for a full half, and watch him scare defences (à la SWP) to death with his pace.

WBA got what they wanted, and all they ever seem to want – a draw! Never let ambition get in the way of a boring 0-0 draw ever! Get back to the Championship where you deserve to be.

OPINION: WHAT AN ATMOSPHERE

Just a quick comment I’d like to make about the recent comment from SP about the lack of atmosphere at COMS.

From one perspective I can understand we have very little history at the ground and the atmosphere will take time to build up. What I don’t understand is how will we ever build one when we’re not allowed to stand up and show our true emotions during the game? On page 36 of the match programme from the WBA game there’s an actual full page notice to fans asking them not to stand up. It just doesn’t feel right singing sat down. This is what I found reported on a website today:

Stuart Pearce is rapidly establishing a reputation as something of an unorthodox manager, and the man nicknamed ‘Psycho’ has certainly taken a novel approach in his quest to raise the pulse of the crowd at Eastlands. Pearce is disappointed at the lack of atmosphere at Manchester City’s home games so after 25 minutes of Saturday’s game with West Brom decided to take the issue up with a random fan behind the dugout. “I asked him whether he thought this was a library or a football ground,” said Pearce. “What was he saying? He wasn’t saying anything, and that’s what was getting up my nose. I was hoping he would be a bit more vocal. Actually I was addressing the whole stand. How did they respond? They said shut up and sit down!”

I think they should move the dugout to the South Stand. It’s the only relatively noisy place in the whole ground. I’ve been told the ground was built to keep the sound in, something in the design reflects the noise back on itself. How true that is I don’t know.

I also don’t like the fact the club aren’t allowed to write Manchester City like on the Kippax at COMS due to other events being held there. It’ll never feel like home if it’s a generic ground. I think the place needs more personalising from a City point of view.

OPINION: LAST CHANCE SALOON

Looks like David James will not be in an England shirt again after a bad game: Denmark 4 England 1, Only a friendly but still it’s an important part of a build-up to the World Cup 2006. We just want David to forget this game, come back to play his best for City. Good Luck David!

Looks like Yasser Hussein has got his work permit and has been given a 6 month trial with City. if Pep Guardiola signs as well, I think that City will have the cover for midfield bearing in mind that Stephen Ireland is improving fast as a midfield player. Claudio Reyna has started well, let’s hope he stays fit, he is quality. Joey Barton stays out of trouble, and he will get better with every game, he has got Blue blood. I don’t think we need Stelios from Bolton, and besides Big Sam knows how to keep his player: put a stupid price on his head. £4 million, he has to be joking.

If Hussein and Guardiola fail to impress, and Ireland is not quite ready when the winter transfer window opens, then go after a quality midfield player. We must be patient. If as a City fan you start to get restless, have a cool drink and relax (take note: I am not telling you to get p****d).

My concern is our need for a quality striker. I think that Cole will do his share and also help Bradley. Vassell has got to improve, and he deserves more time to do that. BWP is going to get better, no question about that, and I like the way Stuart Pearce does not want to rush him.

But what about Ole Growler, he has not got a growl, not even his teeth showing to get into training. This is where we are going to be weak, it’s reported he has a bad back, and who knows what that means? Of course I mean Fowler when I say Growler (that’s what I used to call him when he played well for City).

Support Stuart Pearce and the players he selects, come on you Blues!

OPINION: OFFICIAL COMMENTARY I

In reply to Ian Ferguson’s comments in MCIVTA 1147, I for one am happy to see the back of Cheeseman when it comes to match commentary! He too in my opinion was guilty of talking about other things than what was going on in front of him, e.g. repeating all the local scores every other minute, and telling us who we were listening to, and how we could contact Jimmy [Wagg] with phone numbers, text numbers email addresses etc., and then there was all that ‘going round the grounds’ when Cheeseman would almost cease giving those of us listening on the net, commentary at all, sometimes talking back to the studio, and figuring out which ground he had to announce next that they would visit for an update!

I found it all very frustrating, and rather amateurish! We’ve only had one commentary so far provided by Magic 1152, and at least they stay with the game. Yes, they did talk a bit about other related footy stuff, but so does Alan Green and Mike Ingham some times – arguably the 2 best in the game! So I say give it chance, and for goodness sakes, let’s not have Cheeseman back!

OPINION: OFFICIAL COMMENTARY II

I just had to write in support of Ian Ferguson. We are listening to the game, we cannot see what is happening while you prattle on about God knows what, like we were at a cricket match. We need commentary: who is doing what to whom and where the ball is! Just the occasional clue would help.

We can hear the crowd roar in the background so we suspect something was happening!

Even if it was a boring game, we didn’t know until we read the BBC report! I remember being told in school that the most important thing about reporting is: Who? What? How? When? Not last week, but while it is happening. ESPN was actually ahead of the commentary at one point with its little cartoons.

Let us see if this can be fixed before the next game we all paid to hear.

OPINION: MCFC.CO.UK I

Don’t find it very easy to navigate and for some reason it takes a while to load up and almost freezes my PC in the process.

Could be better!

OPINION: MCFC.CO.UK II

Two clicks to the fixture list! Something’s only easy when you know how to do it though!

OPINION: MCFC.CO.UK III

I couldn’t agree more than with John Nisbet (MCIVTA 1147) about the poor City website.

Although I actually thought the last one was simple enough to be classed as OK.

The pile of dung that they have created now is about as bad as they could make it. Can’t even find the news articles without a really close inspection. Try to find out if Dunney was fit before the WBA game? You must be joking.

Also is it only me or are those pop-ups the only site on the web that get through my blocker?

Any City web team/designers reading, look after us. If we want a loan, we will ring that Vorderman bird with her stretchy bubbles!

OPINION: MCFC.CO.UK IV

Following John Nisbet’s comments about the website, I agree that it is very poor. What a lot of MCIVTA readers may not know is that since it was re-launched it seems that it can’t be accessed if you are using an Apple Mac. I believe that Apple Macs account for about 10% of computers, therefore about 10% of Internet users will not be able to access the site. Can any other MCIVTA readers confirm or refute this? I contacted the club about this in July (fortunately I have Internet access from my PC at work!) and was initially simply told that they “are working on it as it is a contractual issue” and after chasing it up further was given this response:

“At the moment you cannot access it as the issue is being discussed with our agency as they have changed their policy. The reason for this is because after 2005 Microsoft will no longer develop or support IE for MAC’s. This does not mean we are not trying to resolve the issue with our agency but it will take some time.”

This doesn’t sound like good news. I wonder if anyone can clarify what this means or the implications of it – it doesn’t sound very hopeful to me.

OPINION: SUPPORTING OUR SUPPORTERS

MCFC have now banned players from attending supporters’ meetings, which is in stark contrast from the policy they had in the late 90s when they needed the fans like never before. Then the powers to be had rotas for the players to attend meetings up and down the country; the fans thought they were great, the players thought they were great and so did the club. It’s all change now and they are no longer bothered about sending players to meet the fans at their pubs and clubs. The club will still hold roadshows for the fans but they ain’t the same. Fans used the meetings to raise money for charity and the Junior Blues, but now the club will charge branches £50 for a signed shirt even if they are raising money for the Junior Blues. What a difference a few years and a few divisions make.

REQUEST: NUMBER 8 AND OTHER QUIZ

The 9 players who have worn the No 8 Squad number:

1. Sheron
2. Walsh
3. Creaney
4. Bishop
5. Colosimo
6. Macken
7. Benarbia
8. Fowler
9. Barton

First correct answer received at Mcfcstats Towers was Andrew Jackson of Huddersfield.

Next one is: Name the players who have worn the No 11 squad number. No clues this time on how many there have been!

Answers on a postcard please.

Meanwhile, we are pleased to say the website http://www.mcfcstats.com/ is back to normal.

REQUEST: BIRMINGHAM BLUES VIEWING

Does anyone know of any pubs/bars in Birmingham where I would be able to watch any City games on Sky without getting lynched?

It’s starting to get lonely sitting at home on my own with the wife and the dog!

REQUEST: NEW YORK VIEWING DETAILS

The best place to catch Premiership football matches in New York is at Nevada Smith’s, 74 Third Ave, between 11 & 12th Sts. Here is Nevada’s URL for upcoming fixtures: http://www.grahamecurtis.com/nevadasmiths/footfixture.html

The following City matches have been confirmed for television at Nevada’s. Times listed are New York time, not kick-off time in England.

Sat - Aug 20 - 12:15pm - Away vs. Birmingham
Tue - Aug 23 - 02:45pm - Away vs. Sunderland

The following City matches are anticipated for TV viewing, but are not yet confirmed:

Sat - Oct 01 - 07:45am - Home vs. Everton
Sun - Oct 16 - 11:00am - Home vs. West Ham
Mon - Oct 31 - 03:00pm - Home vs. Aston Villa
Sun - Dec 04 - 11:00am - Away vs. Charlton Athletic
Sat - Jan 14 - 07:45am - Home vs. Man Utd

Note that the September 10 away Manchester derby is not scheduled for TV as far as I know. This is unusual, so I am hoping to learn otherwise.

Finally, anyone visiting New York or living in the New York area who wants to be made aware of City on TV, or of the occasional non-event pub gathering, can contact me directly. Additionally, if you want I can add you to an email distribution I maintain specifically to notify locals of City’s TV appearances. It would be good to have you join us.

REQUEST: VALENCIAN BLUES VIEWING

I am moving to Valencia at the end of the month. Any Blues know of any good places to watch Premiership footie?

REQUEST: SEASONCARD SALES

Does anyone know how many seasoncards we have sold for this season, and how many were sold last season?

REQUEST: FANS’ FOOTBALL CLUB

The article below is by one of the City fans trying to get the Fans’ Football Club established. I hope it explains a few things. Above all, I hope it shows what a lot of people feel are lacking at the club (but mostly within football) at the moment.

The kids of today are missing out but they don’t realise that this is the case. Don’t they deserve a club asociated with City to watch every week if their parents can’t afford to pay to take them to MCFC?

I think people are being a little bit too precious about this topic.

[Well, it’s certainly a different way to go about getting support by slating those who run supporters’ clubs, those fans who don’t share the same view and those who continue to go to the games – Ed]

Like many other people of my generation, I came from a broken home. When I say broken, I use that in the phrase of my mam and dad were divorced when I was very young. At weekends from the age of 8 years old my father, a Salford Blue, would have the weekend with me and my brother to spend time with us and take us here and there.

The main event would be a trip to Maine Road to see our beloved Manchester City. My old fella was a bus driver and used to drive one of the match buses from Aytoun Street to Lloyd Street every Saturday. He would put me and my brother on the nearest seat to the driver’s cabin whilst City fans packed the bus to go to see the boys in blue.

The bus drivers had their own seats at the very back of the Platt Lane, and my old fella would smuggle us both in, and we would get a bird’s eye view of the match.

When I first started going, I didn’t see what all the fuss was about until City would score. My old fella would lift me and our kid about, shaking us like rag dolls, screaming and shouting for joy. If my old fella was happy then we were happy. If City made my old fella happy it made us happy. That’s when City became a member of me and my dad and my brother’s family. We built up a love for them over the years, and as we both got older we got more passionate.

My mam was from Wythenshawe and was a Red, as were all her brothers (5). Seeing the joy on our faces when my dad would drop us off, she was more than happy for us to be Blues. Now I look back, the gap that was formed when they both split up was filled with Manchester City F.C.

City was my family, and throughout the years I became very protective of the club. Some times overprotective, leading to fights in school to defend something that I loved and whose name I would not have dragged in the gutter by anyone. This was football, but to me it just wasn’t. This was my club, from my town, wearing my colours. It was my family, my dad’s family and my brother’s family, and my other City mates’ family.

Over the years, through the highs and lows, that love has grown and grown, as it does naturally with most of us. When it was announced we would be leaving Maine Road, I was sad but excited at the chance of 48,000 people roaring our Blues on to the max in a world class stadium.

Much to my dismay, that vision did not bear fruit for the first part of the season, and I along with other passionate Blues tried to do something about it. We met with the club’s board to discuss why people could not be seated with their friends who were sat next to each other at Maine Road. We opposed the heavy handed stewarding that was not used at Maine Road, asking why were these new methods being installed?

We asked the club to create singing areas but nothing happened. We opposed the membership card as a money-making scam to bleed fans (it’s now £20). We asked the club to move the away fans, and many other things to improve the atmosphere. We asked about putting tickets on open sale sooner. Nothing happened. We gave up (cloth ears).

At the last Fans’ Committee meeting I attended (last season), I and 3 fans of the Points of Blue panel told the club that if they did not address all of the above, attendances would drop. One of the board (who I won’t name, but will if I have to) said the club could not foresee that occurring with a season ticket waiting list of 6,000. I just felt sick. We and others on that panel new the danger signs were in place, but all the club could see were figures and not the complaints we were hearing at work and in the pubs.

This year the signs were there. Olympiacos 18,000. A friendly you say, ok. Not to me, it was a sign of things to come. The new £20 membership card we felt would just tell the fans the club’s taking the p**s. We’re no mugs. West Brom gate 42,000 (3,000 Baggies). First game of the season, where’s the 6,000 season ticket waiting list?

That means the club have lost 14,000 fans somewhere. Where have they gone? No one can prove where they have gone; I believe they’ve given up on watching football and are simply voting with their feet. Johnny come latelys you may say; we don’t think so. I think they’re all Blues who can see when they’re having their pants pulled down and ripped off. The amazing thing is this is happening at every Premiership club. City as a club are forced financially to compete.

Overspend on tickets! Give us your money! Watch the match and shut up, then go home and watch the same thing on T.V. Enjoy the Premiership in the millennium.

What we are saying is: don’t give up on football, it has survived without money before and it will do it again. You’ve just got to find it. The fans are the club, not the landlords.

I would like you all to appreciate the fans’ committee (Points of Blue panel); every one of them has the courage and love to speak their mind to the club and give their own time up to do that. By right all of the supporters’ club chairman should be there because surely they represent the fans?

City fans need to build a structure that protects the Heart and Soul of the club that is slowly dying. Boards come and go… fans don’t. Atmosphere affects the players: Keegan said it and now Pearce has said it. The place is like a morgue! You know it, I know it but now one cares enough to do anything about it. But if 48,000 Blues don’t speak as one, nobody hears them.

I’m not sitting in there and watching the club I love rot and paying for the privilege, I love it too much. By saying the club I mean the Heart and Soul of City. The fans. Until it changes I’m protesting, enjoying football with the closest thing to City: Maine Road F.C.

RESULTS

League table to 14 August 2005 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v0506.01]

[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.mcfcosc.com/); the “Centenary Supporters’ Association” (http://www.reddishblues.com/CSAWebsite/CSA.htm) and “The International Supporters’ Club”.

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

The Fans’ Committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. The Fans’ Committee has been relaunched as “Points of Blue”. It has appeared on the club website as a minor entry under “Fans Zone”.

[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://www.foxsportsworld.com/named/FSW/Index/Soccer, 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.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: