Newsletter #1259

Plenty of views and reaction to Monday night’s game when yet another City team turned out. Consistency has never been our style, we should be used to it by now. Oh well, Typical City!

Don’s newsround gives us the details of “fitness coach” Osario’s move back to Colombia. Just what did he do? Answers on a postcard…

We’ve also got the Thatcher effect playing now as City are constantly referred to by HM’s Media as having a discipline problem, with Dabo being given a ridiculous 3 match ban by the buffoons at the FA. Thatcher, on the other hand, has quite rightly been banned for 8 games with a further 15 suspended. Does that see the end of his contract?

We also have views from an Arsenal player – remember, we beat them – more ticketing opinion and the usual requests.

Get the kettle on, it’s a big one tonight.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Juan More Jumps Ship: Fitness coach Juan Carlos Osorio has left City to return to his homeland of Colombia. He takes over as Head Coach of Millonairos. Osorio arrived at City in the Kevin Keegan era in 2001, having had a similar rôle with the New York MetroStars.

Another Thatcher Elbow Incident: This has not been one of Ben Thatcher’s greatest weeks. First came news that he’s facing a second police inquiry. He is now also being investigated over an incident during a reserve game earlier this year. Ralph Welch, a 19-year-old who was playing for Blackburn reserves, has complained that Thatcher elbowed him in the face during a match at Christie Park, Morecambe in February. A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: “We have had correspondence from Merseyside Police and we are investigating the matter.” In relation to this latest accusation, SP felt compelled to defend his player. “It seems a bit strange it has taken the lad since February to decide he has been roughed up a little bit,” said SP. “I was at the game, I remember the incident and I remember the referee and linesman actually ruling in Ben’s favour and giving him a free-kick. To me, there may be a touch of someone getting on the back of something a little bit.”

Getting Off Lightly? The FA announced that Thatcher had been handed an eight-match ban plus a 15-game suspended ban for that infamous foul on Pedro Mendes last month. The eight-match suspension takes effect retroactively from August 26, three days after the incident when Thatcher crashed elbow first into the Portuguese midfielder. The FA’s Independent Disciplinary Commission took action despite Thatcher having been booked for the foul after studying television footage of the match. The FA said on its website: “The incident was considered as an exceptional case because the FA contends that the challenge was sufficiently serious that had Thatcher been sent off an additional sanction would have been merited.” Thatcher’s lawyer Rupert Bowers said: “Mr Thatcher deeply regrets the incident. He accepted the punishment from his club; and the FA has increased that penalty today. Mr Thatcher similarly accepts the FA’s decision without question. Today he again expresses his apologies to all concerned; he now wishes to serve his suspension, put the incident behind him and continue with his career.” A City spokesman said: “We note the findings of the disciplinary committee and are pleased the FA have taken our own disciplinary action into account.”

Traansfer News and Gossip

Missing Sid: Prior to the Reading game, the Sunday Mirror managed to turn the following quote from SP into a “City to Bid for Sidwell in January” story; “I did bid for Steve. I think it says a lot about how highly Reading regard him that even though he is in the last year of his contract, they continued to say, `No, no, no’. I did my homework on him and felt he would be a real asset. But, as with any negotiations, you enter them with your fingers crossed hoping everything goes right.” If that isn’t an object lesson in creative journalism, I don’t know what is.

Let’s Close the Cole Rigmarole: It sounds like SP wants to stop the ding dong between Andy Cole and the club, after last week’s claims that Cole would have retired if City hadn’t let him leave. “I get asked the question ‘why did you let the top scorer at this club go, by 40,000 people,” Pearce told the club’s website. “I give an honest an answer as I can, and it was quite straightforward. We wish him all the best at Portsmouth and we move on. The talk was irrelevant for me; I know what was said and what was not said. The timing was not ideal for me, four or five days before the window was shut. I did not want the player to leave the club. He gave good service to us, we missed him when he was not available at the end of the season but that happens, and my supporters are acutely aware now of why he left the club.”

Tigers Feat for Mills? Unless my ears were deceiving on Wednesday, BBC Radio Five Live announced that defender Danny Mills was set to join Hull City on a two-month loan deal. The right-back, capped 19 times by England, has not featured for Stuart Pearce’s side this season and his chances of playing in the first team have been further diminished by the arrival of Hatem Trabelsi. Mills, 29, could be signed in time to make his Tigers’ début in the Friday night clash with Sheffield Wednesday.

Ex-Blues’ News

Want You Mack for Good: John Macken has gone on a three-month loan deal from Crystal Palace to fellow Championship side Ipswich Town. Town manager Jim Magilton has challenged Macken to re-find the goal scoring form that prompted City to pay £5 million for him a long, long time ago. “Jon is with us for three months and that gives us an opportunity to look at him, it’s initial stages now but if he produces the goods for us there is a chance it could become a permanent deal,” said Magilton. “He is a player that I have admired since he was banging in the goals for Preston a few years back. He got a big move to Manchester City but things didn’t work out for him there and Palace have not seen the best of him either. Injuries have hindered him in that time but he comes to Portman Road raring to go and looking to snap up the opportunity we have given him. I’ve got great faith in him and he has the attributes to be a success here. He holds the ball up well and gets in the right positions and if we can give him the service, he will score goals.” Macken has played two games so far for Ipswich, home wins versus Southampton and Coventry. Unfortunately for Mack, he failed to find the net in either game, and Ipswich triumphed after Jon was substituted in both fixtures.

Howey the Lad: It was quite amusing reading Steve Howey’s comments in the Newcastle Evening Chronicle this week, as City’s former skipper talked up the signing of Super Sibs by the Toon. Howey said: “Sibierski played under me when I was captain at Manchester City and he actually bought my house off me when I left. I know he wasn’t the sort of signing the Newcastle fans were hoping for on transfer deadline day, but that’s not his fault and I hope they give him a fair crack of the whip. If you take away the age difference, it wasn’t a bad bit of business by Newcastle getting Antoine in and selling Amady Faye to Charlton Athletic for £2 million, because I believe Sibierski is a better player technically.” It’ll be interesting to know if Newcastle’s fans agree with such an assessment.

After Match Reactions and Comments

The Ballad of Reading Goal: City in recent seasons have been incredibly generous toward promoted clubs – benevolent gifts of points to West Brom spring to mind immediately. And the Blue Santas were at it again on Monday night, as they lost 1-0 at Reading, last season’s top of the pile in the Championship. In a truly frustrating game for City fans, the Blues (or should that be Yellows) dominated possession for long stretches, only to create few meaningful efforts on the Reading goal. Other lowlights of the match included a somewhat harsh dismissal of Ousmane Dabo on 80 minutes, and an awesome display of teenage petulance by Micah Richards when substituted. “We’re disappointed but I thought that was the best we’ve played this season,” mused SP afterwards. “If you don’t take your chances this is what happens. We’re not conceding many, which is good, but we’re not scoring and we need to.” On Richards’ tantrum when he was taken off, Pearce added: “I have to educate him, simple as that. I want to see spirit in all my players.” Reading Boss Steve “33 Days” Coppell meanwhile thought that his boys put in one hell of a rearguard action to keep the City hoards at bay: “The back four have been terrific and with Marcus Hahnemann in goal too, they are a unit of five. Once a group of players are together for this long there’s a certain amount of telepathy between them and they were really tested by City tonight. We’ve still got an awful lot to work on and it’s hard to know where we are really, but we’re certainly competing.”

Ousmane Ousted: Of Dabo’s dismissal, SP was non-committal on the night. “I’ve only seen the once in real time, and I thought it was a little harsh but because I have only seen that one time I’m not sure. Whether it would have helped if he had stayed on I don’t know, it certainly did not help us.” SP refused to accept City are being targeted by referees after seeing City’s second red card of the season. The City boss said: “Firstly, I think it had nothing to do with Ben Thatcher. Secondly Ousmane is very disappointed. We’ll have a look at it.” Next day, after taking a look at it, the press reported that City would be appealing against the red card.

Squad News

Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow: Bernardo Corradi has jokingly offered to give Chelsea’s Michael Essien a lock of his hair the next time City play Chelsea. This follows Corradi’s red card for fouling Essien at Stamford Bridge recently. The Ghana international then helped Corradi to his feet – by pulling at his hair. “I am not sure what Essien was trying to do when he grabbed my hair,” Corradi said in the club mag. “Maybe he likes it, so I will cut off a lock for him when we play Chelsea at home. I may even give him the address of my stylist.”

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’ I: RFC 1 MCFC 0

The “Mad Stad” was packed for this one and there was a lot of noise, fromboth ends, with the home lot apparently wanting to cheer every kick duringtheir one season in the premiership.

I thought we were comfortable up until the goal, with more possession and a bit more quality going forward. Micah and Sinclair were linking well down the right and Barton was making things happen in the middle. The goal came against the run of play and the biggest disappointment was how we reacted. One goal down in the first half is hardly a hammer blow yet we immediately stopped playing and left me actually looking forward to the half time whistle.

We started the second half with more determination and I felt sure we would get a goal. My only fear was a breakaway goal for Reading, who had decided to try to sit back and hang on for 1-0. Most Premiership crowds would get frustrated with such a negative approach at home but I guess Reading have set realistic expectations. City showed an alarming lack of discipline with pointless fouls from Sinclair, Jordan and others coming in quick succession. This played right into Reading’s hands with home players falling all over the pitch and the rhythm of the game effectively killed off.

Samaras came on for Dickov and had an immediate impact with a shot that flashed wide. I wonder whether he should have come on at half time (or even started). Reyna missed a sitter to complete a miserable night for him and was swiftly replaced by Miller who looked lively. Reyna got a few isolated boos from the away end when he went off. Sinclair had a good chance but put his header over then Dabo ballooned one over before being sent off in what transpires was a nonsense decision. Weaver (who was absolutely flawless all night) pulled off a tremendous save during a Reading breakaway. I hear that Micah got taken off and threw a strop but I must admit I completely missed that.

All in all, we can play but need much more resilience. Stick to the game plan and don’t lose discipline. The lack of goals is a worry. I would start with Samaras and Corradi. The left flank is weak. Need to replace Jordan (who looked slow to me) and Reyna. Plusses: Weaver, Dunne, Barton, and Micah all of whom were excellent.

MATCH REPORT ‘LIVE’ II: RFC 1 MCFC 0

I had the choice – walk 100 yards to the pub, get a curry and pint for £4.95 and watch the match for nothing or pay £32 and drive a 180 mile round trip from Northampton. Of course, being a Blue I chose the hard way so found myself stuck in a traffic jam on the M4. Having driven miles out of my way to escape that, I managed to find another equally good one so missed the start of the game. I heard on the radio that we had the first decent move after 13 minutes, involving Richards and Sinclair providing a chance for Dickov. He shot straight at the ‘keeper though. Then, as I got parked, Reading scored. It was apparently from a poorly defended free kick resulting from a needless tackle from Distin.

Inside the Madejski stadium there was a capacity 24,000 crowd and the home fans were making plenty of noise. I made my way to my seat and had to squeeze past Noel Gallagher to get there, not that I’m name dropping or anything. The City team was as it was for the Arsenal game, apart from Reyna, whose turn it was to audition for the left side of midfield until Beasley is fit. The rest of the first half was fairly intense but largely shapeless, with no-one able to put their foot on the ball and slow things down. I thought that’s why we bought Didi Hamman but he was on the bench. I’m just not convinced about playing 4-4-2 away from home – we look too light in midfield and we need to grind out points. The 2,000 City fans were very quiet, which tells you a lot about the standard of performance.

There were no changes at half-time and the second half saw City having much of the possession but unable to break through the Reading defence. The ball wasn’t moved quickly or cleverly enough and the home team had plenty of time to get men behind it. Jordan put in a couple of woeful crosses from decent positions and there was little happening down the right. Reading relied on the odd breakaway and Weaver did well to deny them on a couple of occasions. The City fans found their voices about 10 minutes into the second half and the team responded a little. Richards was replaced by débutant Trabelsi and wasn’t a happy bunny, throwing his shirt down in disgust. Dickov had been particularly ineffective and was replaced by Samaras. He was quickly in the action and had an immediate impact. In contrast to some of his previous performances he worked hard, was direct and generally looked hungry. However, the goal still didn’t come.

Sinclair was booked for a needless tackle from behind and could just as easily have been shown a red. Reyna had a good chance from just on the edge of the box but shot well over when he should at least have tested the Reading ‘keeper. A short while later he was in a similar position. This time, instead of getting into the box, he pulled the ball well back for Dabo to put a woeful shot in. He was replaced by Miller. Dabo had a mixed game with some misplaced passing. His game got even more mixed when he went up to challenge just in front of the City box. The Reading player went down clutching his head and Howard Webb produced a straight red (I think he’d already had a yellow). It really didn’t look that bad but the ref was much nearer and didn’t hesitate. He had booked a number of City players but somehow failed to produce even a yellow when a Reading player deliberately handled to stop a City break late on. All we ask for is consistency.

As ever, going down to ten men fired us into life but we only had ten minutes plus injury time to do something. Miller, whose speed and strength should have made a difference, just didn’t get into the game at all. We had a few opportunities and the Reading ‘keeper made one superb save but otherwise just had to hold on to shots hit straight at him. Jordan saw a good opening and tried to play Barton in but he didn’t move for it. Harsh words were seemingly exchanged between the two and this summed up City’s frustrations. In the last few minutes, Reading broke away and it looked like the killer but somehow Weaver got it away. The final whistle went and the Reading fans celebrated their second Premiership home win. I wouldn’t have complained about a point but I couldn’t honestly say that we would have deserved it overall. We just don’t seem to have goals in the team and were lucky that Reading had no-one better than Lita and Doyle. Sidwell seemed very similar to Barton both in style (energetic and combative) and in the game he had on the night (lots of effort but not enough end product).

The traffic was just as bad coming out and there were no signs of Thames Valley’s finest helping out. However, they did choose that moment to escort a large, slow load past the stadium, further disrupting traffic. Their team may be in the Premiership but their police force is definitely in the Conference – absolutely pathetic! The journey back was nearly as bad as that going with a number of lane and motorway closures and I made a mental resolution to learn my lesson and watch from the pub next time. Insult was added to injury when Pearce said on the radio that he thought it was our best performance of the season so far. I’d hate to see a bad one if that was our best. Being able to string a few passes together in front of a team that sat back and let us, knowing we had no real threat is not the same as playing well. Yet again we failed to raise our performance sufficiently against an average, well organised team.

Performances:
Weaver – 8. Man of the Match and saved us from a bigger defeat.
Richards – 5. Not at his best.
Dunne – 7. Usual 100% commitment.
Distin – 5. Unconvincing.
Jordan – 6. He got forward well although often wasted it when he did.
Sinclair – 6. Tried hard but didn’t get much change from his marker.
Dabo – 5. An indifferent performance, regardless of the dubious red card.
Barton – 6. Usual energy but not that effective; would have better in a five man midfield than Dickov was up front.
Reyna – 5. He is a luxury in a four man midfield.
Corradi – 6. Nowhere near as good as he was against Arsenal.
Dickov – 4. Utterly ineffective and probably should have scored early on.
Subs:
Trabelsi – 5. Added nothing compared to Richards.
Samaras – 7. He’s clearly been listening to me. Kept the ball and worked hard.
Miller – 4. Must have been past his bedtime when he came on as he seemed to be asleep.

Overall Out-Of-The-Seat Factor – 5. Much of this crammed into the last 15 minutes.

MATCH VIEW ‘LIVE’ I: RFC 1 MCFC 0

So, my first game of the season coincides with the biggest queues for a B&Q DIY centre I have ever seen.

Chiswick Jn 11 35 mins: Jn 11 MyJetski Stadium 1 hour. Let’s hope they don’t get many more sell outs.

Inside the ground, the atmosphere was a bit like It’s a Knockout but loud enough to silence most of the away end, which was disappointing. Anyway, here is my analysis of our current crop of multi-millionaires:

Weaver – He flies like a bird in the sky, with the ease and grace of the Slimcea balloon.
Richards (Trabelsi 60) – showed a good balance of fire and control right up to the point he took on the gaffer when substituted. Dry your eyes mate.
Trabelsi – His name is almost an anagram of stabiliser and that’s precisely what he did.
Dunne – Richard Dunne is a football genius (TM).
Distin – Tough on free kicks, tough on the causes of free kicks. Well neither actually. Tony Blair would have hated it.
Jordan – Imagine the anticipation of the tribes of Israel, massed on the banks waiting to cross the Jordan into the promised land? Fast forward X thousand years and another huddled mass, hoping against hope for another crossing of the Jordan. Let’s hope we don’t have to wait quite as long.
Sinclair – Slower than Johnny Vegas walking in velcro slippers on a treacle rug. A worse shot than any of the 31 separate Frenchies who tried to assassinate General De Gaulle over the years (a World record by the way for most survived assassination attempts).
Barton – Hardest working scouser in Britain (TM). He is still too fond of his WWII method acting “it’s OK you guys. You leave me here to die” routine when he gets fouled. Didn’t stop him getting his name taken by the pesky Gestapo though. “For you Herr Bartonlett ze var is over”.
Dabo – Slinkier skills than I had previous evidence for. His handbagging sending off looked harsh from 100 yards. Like his tragic sound-alike Garbo, I suspect he now wants to be alone, which shouldn’t be a problem given the midfield’s penchant for running away from the person in possession of the ball.
Reyna (Miller 73) – Epitomy of American foreign policy: Undertalented, over-wasteful and over here. And like the wartime song, his shooting and passing was “Over here, over there, tell midfield, pass the ball over there.”
Miller – Windy did well given the choices on offer. Use his left foot or pass to Jordan. Hmm, can I get back to you on that one?
Dickov (Samaras 60) – As usual, the Norman Wisdom of the Premiership was trying harder than George Bush with a three syllable word. Pitkin prospered despite the poverty of raw material to hand and fashioned one or two silk purses from the midfield sow’s ears. Idle thought: being so little in the current side must be like a reverse Gulliver’s travels for him.
Samaras – One or two flashes of adequacy from the Golden Child, but as with rumours about his true height, we should remember the Trojan Wars and be wary of Greeks wearing lifts.
Corradi – The Volkswagen Corrado was discontinued because it couldn’t meet European standard. One hopes this is not going to be a case of life imitating art.
Subs Not Used: Hamann, Hart.

MATCH VIEW ‘LIVE’ II: RFC 1 MCFC 0

A 450 mile round trip on a Monday night or a Corrie double-header? Yep, I took the wrong option, but what did I learn?

The idiot who built the car park at Reading has a lot to answer for. I learnt that town planners are p!llocks and I’m surprisingly naïve when selecting adequate parking. I did manage to make some forward progress at 11:07pm and due to my Schumacher-esque driving, got home to Oldham at 2:15am.

I learnt that we should really be beating teams whose fans sing mocking songs about Swindon Town and Bedford?

I learnt my fear about those awful yellow shirts was once more confirmed (what’s the point of having a change strip if you can never wear it? We can’t wear it against: Chelsea, Everton, Blackburn, Wigan, Reading, Aston Villa, West Ham, Portsmouth or Chesterfield!). Which strip is our away strip and which the 3rd? Did someone say black and red stripes? Yes please!

The only thing I learnt of any value is Reading’s ticket policy. If you buy a home ticket for a top game, you also have to buy a ticket for a “less attractive game”. In short, Reading fans who buy a ticket to watch Reading vs. Manure are also obligated to buy a ticket to watch Reading vs. Charlton. I don’t suggest our ticket policy be changed, I do however think this policy should be applied to our players! If you turn up to play against Arsenal, you are also obligated to turn up and play against Reading! Please take special notice Mr Sinclair, Mr Reyna and Mr Barton. How I hate the fact that they don’t play like their career depended upon it. What we’d give for 15 Nicky Weavers! Does the fact that he has american knees disqualify him from ever being England’s No 1?

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ I: RFC 1 MCFC 0

I sat down to watch tonight’s game against Reading not sure what to expect. After a hard working performance at home to Arsenal, this game had the potential to be a complete let down from a City point of view, against a side who are generally expected to finish in the bottom three this season.

To their credit, City started brightly and had the better of the early exchanges, dominating possession and the few chances that were created, with Dickov and Corradi having very good chances to score, but sadly and maybe predictably, failing to do so. It was therefore no surprise that Reading would take the lead from a gifted free kick courtesy of Distin, both for committing the foul in the first place and for failing to keep up with the goal scorer Ingimarsson who bravely beat him to the ball to power a header home in the 23rd minute. City continued to press although after the goal Reading came into the game more, clearly boosted by the goal.

Second half came and started much the same with City again having much more of the ball. Unfortunately we lacked pace and creativity in the last third where it counts and rarely seemed to ask any questions of the Reading defence. Substitutions were inevitable and Psycho opted to bring Dickov and Richards off (the latter being extremely animated after he was brought off) and brought on Samaras and Trabelsi. It seemed to have an effect with Samaras going close only moments later although as the game went on I began to come to terms with the fact that we were about as likely to score as we are to spend £50+ million in the next transfer window!

In the latter stages we brought on Miller who worked hard on the left to produce something and Dabo was given a straight red for a rather innocuous challenge on our summer transfer target Sidwell. This in my opinion was never a red card but in the wake of the Thatcher incident it wouldn’t surprise me in the least if it was upheld. Referees seemed frightened to death to not red card players now if there is any suggestion of contact with an elbow. Four minutes of injury time came and went with City no more likely to score and the game ended with Reading fans naturally pleased with the way their team ground out the result.

I’m disappointed, but also very concerned. OK this wasn’t a bad performance in the sense that City did go about their task reasonably well and controlled the game for long periods. But the game is about scoring goals and despite creating a few good chances we looked very poor going forward. There is a total lack of pace and creativity going forward and no goals from open play in the first four games speaks for itself. We perhaps won’t concede too many goals this season but the glaringly obvious thing at the moment is that we won’t score many either unless there is a radical change from the first few games.

Clearly we are lacking something – I am seriously hoping Beasley can provide some of the answers and Hamann also when he is finally fit to play. Barton disappeared second half and clearly needs a stronger and more experienced midfielder to play alongside him – not sure about Dabo at the moment and Reyna certainly is not equipped to play left side of midfield.

So what do we do? This could be a long, hard season – I hope I’m wrong, I really do.

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ II: RFC 1 MCFC 0

Normal service has been resumed – play the other team off the field in midfield but don’t bother to score and then defend a wide free kick badly and lose 1-0.

It’s easy to say City were the better team but in all honesty who is going to score goals for us? Corradi, typically 1 goal in 4 games, is hardly going to be a contender for a leading scorer in this division. Dabo looks a good replacement for McManaman, materialised out of nowhere to mess up a couple of free-kicks. His challenge that earned him a red card was the sort that goes unpunished week in, week out but you could hardly say we missed him. Richards was rightly angry at being substituted – poor thinking from Pearce – two pretty ineffective midfield players on yellow cards – why not replace Reyna or Sinclair to bring on Trabelsi? Trabelsi put in a couple of decent crosses but the back four looked less secure once he came on.

Bright spot was Weaver’s performance and also the appearance of Miller who looked more threatening than Dabo and Corradi put together. Jordan, Dunne and Distin looked generally OK; Samaras better than Corradi. Referee – not bad but once again the card count didn’t really reflect the game, particularly the booking of Barton; are we seeing a Thatcher effect? Beasley – all our hopes on thee are founded!

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ III: RFC 1 MCFC 0

Jesus give me strength! City were the better side by a mile, some slick passing and movement off the ball, but could we score, could we hell. We didn’t even look like getting the ball in the back of the net!

Reading really are a poor side (based on the performances against Wigan and us tonight); they look unbalanced, lack bite and have no natural leader(s)! However, they managed to turn us over, and without too much trouble either.

The City strikers looked off the pace tonight, and I’m not sure without proper service from the wings what use 6 foot plus forwards are! At least Dickov seemed to be trying out there.

Great away support, came in loud and clear via Fox Soccer Channel.

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ IV: RFC 1 MCFC 0

I am trying to stay optimistic but that was pretty poor tonight. These are games City really do need to win. It wasn’t as if any player was really bad but collectively they just don’t appear to be good enough. Mr. Pearce has a lot of work to do if we are not to be fighting a rearguard action all season.

Has Ireland been injured or is he on the way out?

Halfway through the second half I decided I could have gone out and climbed Everest and by the time I got back City still would not have scored.

Not sure when the next City game is on TV over here.

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ V: RFC 1 MCFC 0

I’m sure I’m not alone in thinking that there were some blindingly obvious flaws in both City’s performance and Pearce’s selections for the Reading game.

All in all I didn’t feel too despondent after the game, having almost expected a defeat, but I was baffled by the choices made by SP. I don’t know what Corradi has been doing in training to impress him because he certainly hasn’t impressed me on the pitch. Last night he was off the pace and looked hopelessly inadequate at this level. Maybe he needs time to adjust to the Premiership but I was amazed that Samaras hadn’t been preferred from the start. Sure enough, when Georgie eventually did come on he made things happen and looked much sharper than his Italian counterpart.

Generally I thought we looked fairly good in possession and created some decent chances but were guilty of some woeful finishing that, without question, will ensure that we struggle this season. Dabo’s shooting was embarrassing and Sinclair also squandered a wonderful opportunity. Having said that I thought he had a very good game (despite the dreadful challenge from behind in revenge for a previous altercation with Reading’s Convey – should have been another straight red!).

Distin played with spirit, but foolishly conceded that costly free kick. Jordan was also up for the game, Barton was immense at times but very ordinary for periods. Reyna was out of place on the left – why on earth did we let Musampa and Riera go?

Ultimately Reading were fortunate, as any other team would have converted one or more of those chances, but that doesn’t bode well for us as it will be a tough season if we remain that toothless up front.

MATCH VIEW ‘TV’ VI: RFC 1 MCFC 0

Well, I knew I couldn’t write straight after the Reading game so I have waited 48 hours to calm down. First off some background. I am 53 years old and have been a Blue since birth. No options, and never wanted any. My dad and his dad were both died-in-the-wool Blues, born and raised a stone’s throw from Maine Road and all of us season ticket holders. Thirty years ago I emigrated to the west coast of Canada, and everyone said I’d be back in 4 weeks ’cause I couldn’t leave City; not my family or friends but City. Anyway I stayed, but the passion will always be there – we’re Blues forever, thick and thin, nothing can ever change that. My two sons from 8,000 miles away are passionate Blues. They never stood a chance did they? I have been lucky (yes lucky to be born a Blue), I was at every game during the glory years of the 60’s and 70’s. Every cup final. Newcastle, Wembley, Vienna (sat outside in a monsoon). Had wonderful highs and awful lows but after the Reading game I have never felt so low as this.

In fact at my age I am not sure if I can do this anymore. The anticipation then the crushing disappointment. I am not a pessimist, in fact I usually always see something good or can come up with a plausible excuse (refs, unlucky etc.) but this time we were just crap; they were even crapper. That’s what worries me. We won’t play a worse team all year. It wasn’t a lack of effort. I could handle that. We just don’t have it. We will struggle all year and I for one fear the worst. We don’t have the players or the balance. We had some poor individual performances, players who had an off game, but still we should have beaten Reading. As I said they are crap. Let’s look at us first though.

Player ratings:
Weaver -8- The only reason for optimism. Played well, good hands, good on crosses, good kicking. If he can maintain his form and stay free from injury we could see him get back to the position he was in years ago, close to an England cap.
Jordan -4- Played OK but is a very limited player. Squad player who can step in but definitely not a starter. Would not get into the first team of any of our competition.
Distin -5- Fast and a good recovering defender; needs to be because most of the time he is running around like a chicken without a head. Poor positional player and poor marker but normally makes up for it with speed. Cause of the goal on Monday, gave away the foul and then didn’t stop his man at the resulting cross.
Dunne -4- Loads of mistakes in this game. Has a few good games and then a howler like this one. Need much more from your captain. Should be more consistent, again would not be automatic choice if he was with any of our close competitors (Everton, Boro, W.Ham, Bolton, etc.).
Richards -7- Showing good promise and not letting anybody down. It’s a shame he has been in this team that’s playing so s***e, it can’t be good for a young player. Showed immaturity when subbed, but is still a bright light.
Reyna -6- Has good control, but is definitely not a wide midfield player. Should only play in the middle unless it’s a backs to the wall type game from the off.
Barton -7- Only player that showed some drive and spark. Sad thing is he looks our best bet to score, ’nuff said.
Dabo -7- Played OK as the holding midfielder (is at least better than Bosvelt) but he is very limited. Good control but no pace, no drive, and poor at hitting the target. Limited vision. Decent squad player.
Sinclair -4- Absolute bobbins. Long past his prime. Can’t beat a defender, can’t cross the ball, can’t shoot. Should be brought on at 70 minute mark if needed. Definitely not a starter in any other team.
Dickov -4- Showed nothing against a poor opposition, so what will he do against good Premiership defenders? He had one good chance but it was a poor effort and let’s face it in the Premiership one good chance should be enough. I was quite pleased to see him come to the club, but on the showings so far the naysayers are being proved right.
Corradi -6- Worked hard in holding the ball up and being a forward target etc. but doesn’t appear to have much clue as to getting in scoring positions, never mind the actual finish. Won’t be a thorn in the side of too many defenders.
Trabelsi -7- Looked very classy on the ball. One great tackle and one great cross. Should be on instead of Sinclair with Richards behind him.
Sam -7- Looked to be our best hope for a goal as soon as he came on. Looked much more interested than he has of late.
Miller -5- Unfair maybe to judge, but looked out of his depth as far as awareness and positional play.
Referee -3- Even though we were crap, he gave us absolutely nothing. Every 50/50 went to Reading, the Distin free kick was questionable and the Dabo red was a joke.
Ireland-Needs to be and should be in the squad as he offers us a different option than any of the other players.

Squad overall and balance. Herein lies the problem because we have:
4 good right full backs – Trabelsi, Richards, Onuoha, Mills (not so good but adequate)
2 poor left full backs – Jordan, Thatcher
2 average central (could be better but positional play is poor) defenders – Distin, Dunne
3 good holding midfielders (but you can only use them one at a time) Hamann, Dabo, Reyna
1 energetic (sort of box to box) midfielder – Barton
1 past prime right midfielder – Sinclair
1 unknown left midfielder – Beasley
3 forwards who work hard but are no goal threat – Vassell (only forward we have with pace), Corradi, Dickov
1 forward who is very young and looks lazy and uninterested but can find the net

There are some glaring weaknesses in the squad balance and for this SP must take the blame. Some good players who moved this summer for very little or no money who could have helped: N’Gotty, Quedrue, Euell, Hasselbaink, Fitz Hall, Kilbane, Benni McCarthy, Bothroyd.

The problem is the teams around us – Everton, Bolt-on, W. Ham, Charlton, Wigan, Villa, Pompey – have all improved and have much better balance and depth than we do.

I hope I am totally wrong and I am forced to eat my words please!

OPINION: INSIDER’S ARSENAL VIEW

Cesc Fabregas was born and bred in a place called Arenys de Mar, north of Barcelona. I buy my Guardian every morning there. Have met his uncle earlier and the whole village is so proud of him.

Monday morning 28th August, I’m buying my paper, still in my City T-Shirt from Saturday (Arsenal match) and I hear a voice remark in Spanish about my attire and the immortal words “Man. City”. I turn around and it’s Cesc.

Got him in conversation and after buttering him up, got him to talk about City, the match etc.

Obviously he thought they missed loads of chances but he was very complimentary about the Blues and particularly Vassell and Barton. He said Wenger’s last words to them before going out to play were “Don’t let Vassell receive the ball”. He thinks Dunne is top class as well.

He was having a few days at home before meeting up in Madrid for the Spain internationals. Thought I should share this with you all.

Incidentally, Corradi was “crap” for Valencia. But I thought he did well versus both Chelsea and Arsenal. A pleasant surprise.

City need some creativity in central midfield and for Samaras to come good. I’m always optimistic and hope they get to the next window in a good position, then buy someone who can open up defences and create in the middle of the park.

OPINION: THE FINANCIAL LOWDOWN I

Hats off to Colin Savage for his succinct and clear analysis of the structure of the City Board. I thought the level was pitched perfectly – keep the info coming, please.

Watched the Reading game last night. Why oh why can’t we score goals? And why wasn’t Hamman given a run out? He might have provided a bit of midfield inspiration.

OPINION: THE FINANCIAL LOWDOWN II

Colin Savage’s article gives an excellent insight into the finances of the club and how it all holds (just about) together. I personally would welcome more of the same as it helps me to have more informed, rather than speculative, conversations about the club with fans of other clubs.

[Colin is busily working on the second part, which I’m sure will be just as informative – Ed]

OPINION: EVER DECREASING CIRCLES?

You get the impression that something is not quite right within the club at the moment. The policy of clearing out the previous manager’s high earners may be good for the long term future of the club (something I am in favour of), but replacing them with yet more over-aged has-been journeyman that you’ve never heard of, serves no purpose. I don’t know about you, but I struggle to take to this constant stream of imports that have absolutely no affinity with the club and will move on in the fullness of time. As these players walk in, Bradley Wright-Phillips, Lee Croft and Willo Flood are sent on their way. Sadly I think the only class player left at the club is Sylvain Distin, and he would have been gone had it not been for the transfer fee. I have reached the stage where I would stop this useless recruitment policy (saving even more money), get rid of the others who obviously don’t want to be at the club, and put my faith in the likes of Nick Weaver, Richard Zidunne and the youth of the club who have something to prove. It would give us something to cheer about, and the worst thing that could happen is that we are relegated, something that is definitely on the cards anyway, as I am struggling to find three teams worse than City. The tide of fortune turned when Fowler arrived and Bernstein left, and the club has been in its current downward spiral since being knocked out of the F.A. Cup last season. There is nothing to suggest that this trend will be reversed, which in turn puts the pressure on Stuart Pearce. It seems evident that the only priority is to survive another season in the top division and pocket the Sky money again next year to clear the debts. But it is a risky strategy.

So where does all this leave the fans? We’re rapidly becoming the laughing stock at work and in the pubs aren’t we? I have never heard so much negativity and depression coming from my fellow City followers, and this was before, during and after the first home game of the season! The feeling of everybody I speak to is that we cannot have hope when the club lacks direction. I have yet to speak to one single supporter who has anything positive to say about anything related to City. Going to a football match is a habit, and many, like me, have got out of the habit. Many of us have no motivation to go to a single away game this season (and this coming from somebody who didn’t miss a single match for over six years from 1998 to 2004). If the club are worried about falling attendances this season, well brace yourselves, because it won’t get any better in the future. A popular feeling is that it is now cheaper to pick and chose 13 or 14 home games (a struggle in itself) than invest £450 or so in a season ticket six months before the season starts. The club may be realising how easy they had it in first season here at the new stadium with all that season ticket money safely deposited, because they now have to work even harder to keep the gate receipts up. With three of the first four games being live on Sky, and our usual quota to come, what incentive is there to drag yourself out of your home to watch the likes of Watford, Sheffield United, Reading, Fulham, Middlesbrough, Portsmouth, Wigan, Charlton, Blackburn and Bolton?

I hate the Premiership and all it stands for, especially the ludicrous players’ wages. It is overflowing with the Sky money at the moment, but wouldn’t it be great if we could show the footballers and football authorities that it is us the fans who really control the game? This could easily be done by us agreeing to ring Sky in our thousands on an agreed date, and cancel our subscriptions (even if it were only for 3 or 4 months). Are you and your fellow Sky subscribers up for it? By the way, if you want to save £120, ring Sky and complain about the 3 months free offer to new subscribers. If you threaten to cancel your subscription, there is a good chance they will offer you the same deal as new subscribers!

[Can’t argue with that, the silence on strategic direction from our board is deafening – Ed]

OPINION: MONEY TALKS

I was watching Chris Coleman on soccer Sunday yesterday and he was talking about his decision not to play Steed Malbranque if he had stayed with them.

He said that this decision was made 12 months ago when SM told them that he was going to run his contract down and go on a free. He pointed out the SM had cost them £5 million and that a club the size of Fulham could not afford to write that kind of money off and questioned the commitment of the player going in for a 50/50 ball knowing that an injury could jeopardise a lucrative move at the end of his contract.

With us being in the same position with Distin, Reyna, Jordan and I’m not sure who else does anyone think this could be a bad move playing them? All 3 of them never seem to give anything but 100% but it makes you wonder. In my opinion I wouldn’t be playing Distin as he knows the financial situation of the club and could have helped us out by agreeing to a transfer and helped us regain some of the £4 million it cost us to sign him. I know people will argue that a player’s career is a short one but if you’re earning £2 million a year does that extra £500,000 really make a difference?

OPINION: TEENAGE KICKS

What Micah Richards did when being substituted by taking off his shirt and throwing it on the ground was very wrong. At the same time I felt that SP had taken the wrong player off.

But then I read that this young player might get punished by being dropped out of the team. Stuart Pearce might not do this yet as far as we know; let’s hope not.

If SP wants to play the new player Trabelsi at right back that’s fair enough, but don’t make it as punishment to a young player who needs to be taught, not threatened.

And I read Mr Hince, a well known journalist who has been writing articles about MCFC long before we last won a trophy (I think that says a long time), who says “if he does not show respect, let him perish”. Perish. What a word to use by a so called City supporter.

Again, teach the young lad so that he will have that respect, but just remember that respect is also earned, it works both ways, let’s hope that this can be handled properly and then there is mutual respect.

Is there no one at MCFC who can take the young player aside and give him a good bit of advice, to let him know what he did is very wrong, and give the young player a warning never to do it again, or else there will be a decision with harsh punishment?

But to threaten a young player who gives 100% in every game, has City in his heart, and desperately wants to win games, with dropping him out of the team, and words of let him perish, this is just another way to see another young star leave City.

I have always felt that Micah Richards would be a better player in midfield, he loves going forward with an attacking passion, and can get back quick if the defence needs help.

Sure, Micah has a lot to learn, he is still young, and with the spirit to help City have success. Let’s not take away his passion with the wrong words, teach the young lad and put him in the right direction. He is part of MCFC and the future.

I’m sure there are some people out there who will disagree with me; you can manage a team like Graham Souness with a bullying attitude and have no respect, or you can coach a young player with friendly and firm advice, and get results. I choose the latter.

Come on you Blues.

OPINION: SCORING BOOTS

Four games into a new season and all hopes have completely evaporated. One (penalty) goal scored and the alarm bells are ringing. I predict that Corradi, Dickov, Samaras and Vassell will not get 10 goals between them this season! Sturridge will have to be fast tracked and we will have to break the bank in January, or we will be playing Luton and co next season.

OPINION: TICKETING TRAUMAS I

I think that Garry Higgins and Struan Malcolm both made good points (MCIVTA 1258). I’m sure that Struan is correct in saying that the staff manning the ticket office are first rate, and in particular that season ticket holders are well catered for. But I must agree with Garry on the issue of occasional matchgoers, such as myself. The level of hassle involved in going to a game is a complete joke. I’ve applied 3 times now for Citycard / Matchcard, and I’m still not in a position to attend when I want to. Garry is absolutely right that it is just plain unrealistic to expect most fans that live away from Manchester, especially those with children, to travel long distances without any certainty of getting a ticket. The most annoying thing is to repeatedly be told that it’s fine to turn up on the day and get a Matchcard. So much for security! The whole premise of the Matchcard is to make sure that you know who the person attending is, and where they live, in case of trouble. Yet you can apply for the Matchcard at the same time as picking up the ticket. How is this different from having no Matchcard and just turning up for the ticket? It isn’t.

It’s even worse if one member of a family is a Blue living away. I’d love to drag my family or friends along to a game, but it’s just too difficult to arrange. That’s before expense even comes into the argument.

I fully understand that the devout fan is the most important part of the club, more so than the board, the players or anyone else. But fanatical supporters start out as occasional matchgoers, often introduced to the club by someone who isn’t a season ticket holder.

I may be doing the club a great disservice, but my feeling is that the real benefit of the electronic entry / membership system is that it allows the club to analyse its sales and marketing figures more directly, and market to its audience based on demographic groupings. That’s all well and good, and they deserve credit for trying to increase revenue. But they should concentrate more on their core market. If there are no fans attending games, they’re unlikely to buy many shirts, sign up to digital TV channels, watch live streaming video or take up repeated and persistent offers of cut-price corporate hospitality. Football fans want to watch football. Wow, I think I spotted a first-order similarity between all City fans. To be honest, I find the collection and analysis of all of my spending / attendance habits a little offensive anyway – you’ve already had our money, now you want to have a full definition of who we all are? Anyway, that’s another argument…

I stress again that there is no criticism of the staff on the ground. But the commercial management of the club needs to be re-assessed. The reason that football clubs foster fanatical followings (which is what the marketing team surely want) is because of a feeling of belonging. Over the past two or three years, for the slightly more peripheral fans, the club has started to feel like a commercial entity. By making it so difficult to purchase tickets and attend games, I think they run the risk of alienating a lot of people, and it shouldn’t be underestimated how long it will take to get people back through the electronic turnstiles. But that’s what will happen unless the club starts to make all fans feel wanted and welcome.

OPINION: TICKETING TRAUMAS II

Just like to inform you of the delightful experience you put me through yesterday. My friend bought a couple of tickets from your ticket office – or at least he tried to.

I stupidly persuaded him to upgrade from a basic membership to full Citycard membership. This was 10 days ago. After a couple of days he called the ticket office to find out about his card and tickets. He was assured that they were sent out. Two days later he called again – same result. And again 2 days after that. At the end of last week – still having failed to post 2 tickets and a card – Sam, from the ticket office, said that they would be sending the tickets to Reading for collection. He checked again yesterday morning- and was informed that the tickets will definitely be at the South Stand Ticket Office in Reading. So having taken the afternoon off work – we set off to Reading. The lousy traffic was not City’s fault, but the fact that we queued for 2 hours to exit the M4 and eventually found a parking space, for a paltry £6, was not a great start to the evening.

We then got to the ticket office with 20 minutes to spare to be told – ‘no tickets’. I couldn’t even watch the game on TV – because it took another hour and a half to reach the motorway from the stadium. I am used to being disappointed by the team – I’ve gone all the way to Poland to watch a team of so called professionals lose to a bunch of part time cabbage farmers – I even went to the débâcle at Doncaster last year – and Oldham the year before that. We as fans fully accept that the team, with a few notable exceptions, really couldn’t give a damn for the club or its supporters – they will happily disappear to another mediocre team for the sake of making an extra couple of grand a week, when they already earn fortunes.

Sadly, the crap attitude has now filtered through the whole organisation. Why should I re-arrange my life around Man City – when your ticket office cannot process a simple ticket booking in 10 days? The simple act of sticking the tickets in an envelope and posting them is obviously a major strain – perhaps if we paid even more of a booking fee – would £5 on top of the ticket price cover postage & packing?

In case you were wondering why there are so many empty seats at COMS at home matches – this totally unacceptable treatment of not only fans but paying customers, has to be a huge factor.

So, having supported you guys since 1974 – planed, trained, automobiled and hitch-hiked God knows how far, spent a fortune on your over-priced merchandise in the vain hope that the money would be wisely invested on building a successful team – as well on tickets etc.; I now have the same attitude about City as City has about me – I can’t be bothered.

I look forward to cheering you on from my comfy chair.

[You’re not alone David, it will be interesting to see the real figures for season ticket take-up and wouldn’t we love to know how many “freebies” are dished out? – Ed]

OPINION: ONLY STAY WHEN WE’RE WINNING?

I watched the match on Sky last night (caught the last half an hour as I was at college). When it got to 85 minutes the Sky cameras panned across the crowd: lo and behold, there were quite a lot of City fans leaving the ground early. Why bother travelling all that way down to reading on a Monday night if you aren’t even going to watch the match?! What made it worse was that the adults were leaving and taking the kids with them… so the kids miss out on watching the full match.

Everyone knows that a match lasts 90+ minutes, look at Villa in the cup last season. How many of you ‘die hards’ left with a few minutes to go then? Have you not learned your lesson? It really does my head in how we claim to be the most loyal fans in the country and yet when it comes to supporting the team the away fans leave with what we now know was 10 minutes of a match left.

Stay til the end people! They aren’t going to win anything if we have no fans there!

OPINION: NON PREJUDICIAL BLUES

Now that the initial hysteria has died down (“Homosexuals? At football? In the 21st century?!” who’d have thunk it) it’s time for a more rational overview of the decision taken by the marketing suits at City to openly pursue the pink/sky blue pound. Mauve, if you like. Or maybe magenta? Anyway, I digress.

A sizeable minority of the “traditional” City support (i.e. the small minded buffoons who still think nothing about mocking death) have reacted with, at best, disdain and at worst abject horror at this decision. “But the Reds I know will rip the p!ss”, they bleat. Not sure about everyone else, but I stopped giving a f*&k what the Red quarter of the city thought about us a long time ago. Sure, they’ll snigger away on their forums and the childish guffaws will be heard long and loud in the United heartlands of Surrey and Singapore (what price a “30 Queers” banner at The Meccano?). “So, like, City are gay? Hurr-hurr-hurr”. But why should we care what they think? For me, it’s almost as embarrassing that any City fan in their right mind would think in such terms.

We should embrace such diversity at City. No, hear me out. The way I see it is that any City fan should be welcomed at Eastlands regardless of sexuality, colour of skin or religious beliefs if it means filling some of those bl**dy empty seats. We’re hardly in a position to be picky. Plus it’s apparently a well known fact that gay men (and women, for that matter) are an advertiser’s dream, as they don’t have ungrateful, spotty faced adolescents sapping away their income like the rest of us. If that new found wealth helps find a couple of adequate replacements for such luminaries as Danny Mills and Ben Thatcher, then surely that has to be a good thing. Doesn’t it?!

I must confess though, I’m intrigued to see how City will quantify the success of this scheme. Last time I checked there was no ‘sexual preference’ multi-choice question on the season ticket application form. It’s tricky enough dealing with the ticket office as it is. Can you imagine the poor soul trying to explain to Tracey on the other end that he’s bi-curious? “I’m sorry love, I’ll have to put you on hold. I’m not authorised to deal with that…”

My main concern is that it smacks of a PR opportunity for the ever savvy marketing department at the club. An article here and there in the liberal press, acknowledgement from Stonewall but what are the club actually doing to actively encourage gay fans to the club? A few free tickets distributed to local gay teams and flyers handed out at the Gay Pride festival. Big deal. homosexuals have been attending the football for years with a minimum of fuss.

More importantly, are the club going to back this up by ejecting supporters for homophobic abuse? If, as expected, United fans come up north with a barrage of witty ditties about City being a gay club, will they be kicked out en masse? Will they balls. Granted, you’ve barely been able to hear the laughable “Men in Black” at Eastlands in recent years, but you get the point.

Besides, there’s an element of homophobia that’s intrinsic in English football, and it will be hard to eradicate it without changing society first. I suspect much of it isn’t even that malicious. A lesbian relative of mine (and a match going one at that) was appalled to hear me dismiss Cristiano Ronaldo as a “f*£%ing poof” when he, once again, feigned injury during last season’s derby, and I’m a sandal wearing, mung bean salad eating Guardian reader. To paraphrase Alan Partridge, “before anyone writes in to say that’s homophobic… it’s not”. Except it is. Of course it is. It sounds a touch feeble to say that’s just how football is, but there’s a degree of truth in it and I suspect it’ll take more than a carefully manipulated, yet ultimately half arsed, media campaign to change it.

Which minority group will the advertising men pursue next? The ginger haired? The obese, those with moustaches (although I concede United have a vice like grip on the latter two demographics)? For me it’d be far more constructive to see the club actively pursue, say, Muslim or Hindu fans as Asian faces at City are conspicuous by their absence. We could have Psycho doing press conferences in Arabic, and pre-season tours of Beirut and Tehran. Maybe not, but you never know what could happen. Particularly whilst Alistair Mackintosh is at the helm…

OPINION: MAINE ROAD MONUMENTS

Mark Redgrave mentions the ‘Paul’ Lake at Maine Road, but what about ‘Andy’ Hill?

REQUEST: BLUES VIEWING IN LONDON

Does anyone know a half-decent pub in London that attracts a few City fans whenever we’re on the box? Giving up on Ganley’s authentic Oirish experience in Herne Hill after last night, on account of it being:

1. s**t
2. jinxed
3. half-full of Rags shouting “City? Massive club!” every time Reyna tripped himself up

REQUEST: BLACKBURN TICKETS

Two tickets needed for the Blackburn game on Sunday at Ewood Park. Preferably together. Please call me on 07809 124057.

RESULTS

11 September 2006

League table to 13 September 2006 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v0607.01]

[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 Radio Manchester (née GMR) pre and post match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/sport/manchester_city/index.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://msn.foxsports.com/foxsoccer, 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 Plus Markets Group web site http://www.plusmarketsgroup.com/ 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] I hear there is a TV programme specifically about City?

InsideMCFC is broadcasted by ChannelM. It is available on the SkyDigital (ch.203) and NTL (ch.26) platforms as well as being transmittedtraditionally within the Manchester area (ch.39). In addition, theprogramme is available to watch via the web. More details and schedule:http://www.channelm.co.uk/features/city.html

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: