Newsletter #1242

Another week and more rumours, as Sylvain (le boudeur) Distin is still holding out on his contract negotiations, Spurs are supposedly after Richards and who knows what thoughts Barton is having this week?

We have opinion on those, a few looks at England, and the requests start coming in as the season approaches.

If anyone is braving Wrexham and would like to send in a report of how the team are looking, please do!

OPINION: THE DIDDYMEN

“So it’s Didi and Dabo
Dabo and Didi
Don’t Didi Dabo on the way!”

Sorry – but it is the silly season.

OPINION: RICHARDS RUMBLES

Have to say I would be concerned if we lost Micah Richards to Spurs but am I wrong in thinking £5 million is good business for what is technically a rookie (with great potential)? Perhaps Spurs would accept Barton instead or we could always say “yep, but throw in Robbie Keane as well and you have a deal!”

Nevertheless we could use the funds to run the rule over Juve, Fiorentina and Lazio for someone of value!

OPINION: AU REVOIR DISTIN?

Well according to mcfc.co.uk our new arrival Ousmane Dabo has been given the “number 5” shirt next season. El Captain “for so long” Monsieur Distin has been handed the “number 15” as compensation. Not exactly a safer than the bank type of tip, but it may be a sign of what is to come?

Stephen Ireland has been handed the number 7. Looks like we have good faith in our young ones.

OPINION: IF ONLY!

Forgive me for having Blue tinted glasses, but I spent most of my time watching England’s World Cup games thinking that had it not been for injuries it should have been Nicky Weaver wearing the No. 1 shirt, not Robinson.

OPINION: NI BLUES

Just to remind Ernie W of a couple of facts.

1. The last time England played NI they were beaten!
2. NI are the reigning British Champions from the competition England were too above themselves to take part in anymore.

In addition, in Steve Davis we have a midfielder that City should be breaking the bank to get… exchange Barton as part of the deal?

OPINION: TAKING SHAPE

This week MCFC expect Joey Barton to sign. I think that this is good news despite the saga that has lasted far too long; my feeling has always been it would cost far more to replace Joey.

Sylvain Distin has, according to the media, been offered £35,000 a week and has still not signed. Sylvain Distin is a good defender but I question his ability going forward. Middlesbrough have interest now that the German defender Huth appears to have an injury and might not sign. I say let Distin go if he is still not ready to jump at the cash offered to him by MCFC. Make Dunney, who has shown more loyalty, the captain, play Micah Richards alongside Dunney and give Micah the money with a long contract. He has more value for the future than Distin. Plus not only does Micah defend well, but goes forward with a vengeance and intelligence.

Didi and Dabo in the midfield – brilliant!

Bernado Corradi, a tall striker who is on Valencia’s books but was loaned out to Parma last season, is due in Manchester today (Monday) according to press reports, to have talks with MCFC. Not sure about this one, but remember we need a bigger squad and competition for places make the team better.

Come on you Blues!

REQUEST: KINKLADZE

Does anyone have a link to footage of Gio’s wonder goal against Southampton in 95-96 season? I’m trying to enlighten my 9 year old son!

REQUEST: ARSENAL TICKETS WANTED

I know this may be a complete long shot but a few mates and I are planning to have my stag weekend in Manchester on the weekend of 26th August. We are home to Arsenal at 5:15pm and what I wouldn’t give for a few tickets. I realise it’s very early but thought I’d mention it sooner rather than later! If anyone can help I’d be getting married a happy man!

REQUEST: JAMAICAN BLUES

Another year, another move, taking me further and further away from City. At least from Ireland I made a few games a year, but I moved to Jamaica in February so it’s unlikely I’ll get to any games for a while. The last game I attended was the derby and the atmosphere during and after that game will sustain me for a few years.

I’m now in Kingston and I’m looking for someone to share early morning Red Stripe on a Saturday to watch the games. Anyone out there in MCIVTA-land currently based in Kingston that needs a buddy for the 2006/07 rollercoaster?

REQUEST: FANTASY LEAGUE

I decided to set up a fantasy league myself. As usual anyone can join. Just go to the website below, follow the instructions, set up your team and enter the details below. This site is the official fantasy league of the Premier League.

The website is: http://fantasy.premierleague.com/index.html
The league name is: MCVITA CITY FANS (sic)
The code to join this league is: 64520-24452

[the administrator is Jack Buckley, but it doesn’t matter]

MCIVTA FAQ [v0506.02]

[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://mcfc.videoloungetv.com/do/preLogin?clubSiteCode=MCFC&CMP=AFC-003.

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

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