Newsletter #1379

Hard fought, but a point away at Pompey on Sunday is a decent result and keeps us third.

We have opinion tonight on the game, progress thus far, new signings and usual requests.

No match this week due to yet another international break.

OPINION: HONOURS EVEN

After watching Pompey score three goals at Newcastle last week in the first eleven minutes, playing at Portsmouth we knew was going to be a difficult game, but City fought and battled well to get a well earned point.

City should have scored when Vassell missed a glorious opportunity from Petrov’s cross, but then at the opposite end we became the lucky ones as a deflected shot from Nugent hit a post.

City played with just one striker up front, possibly because of the speed of Vassell, but unfortunately without the quality of a striker with a killer instinct, which only leaves us wanting a striker all that more when the transfer window opens.

The squad has got to be improved for City to keep up the pressure at the top end of the league, but we certainly can be very proud of the amazing start to the season.

Hart gave an impressive performance, and was my MotM.

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: STEADY DOES IT

Aren’t we a fickle lot, Last season city only managed too win 5 from 19 at home. Now 7 home games, 7 wins, 25 points and 3rd in the league and the moaners are back. At this rate we will be safe at Xmas; not much fun knowing which league we will be in next season before the ticket needs to be bought.

I agree that the last couple of home games have not been great to watch. The away teams (namely Brum and Sunderland) had done their homework and worked extremely hard (impressed with Etuhu) to stifle city’s attacking play but to no avail as city won both 1-0. When the big four win scruffy it is a sign of a good side that don’t always play to their potential but still manage to get a result. City have gone a long way in the right direction under Sven’s leadership in a very short time. I think Chelsea away was a bad day at the office (enough said). The last games have indicated that there are some frailties in the side and the squad needs to be strengthened; hopefully Sven will buy quality in the January window to address the problems.

So come on Blues, there is reason to be cheerful. City’s future looks to going in the right direction.

OPINION: MORE RUMOURS

The media have new stories almost every day about players that Manchester City are watching, which is nothing new, the club are constantly watching players, I think City will probably only bring in 3 players in January, but quality players, and maybe even 4 players if Isaksson still wants to leave, then a new ‘keeper might come in.

I have no doubt that some clubs let out red herrings to the media so as to take their eyes off who they are really interested in.

Reports are in the press that Bianchi will go back to Italy, but it still leaves City with 2 untried strikers in Valeri Bojinov (injured after only 6 minutes in his game versus the Rags), and we have young Daniel Sturridge who has also been injured, a product of the Academy who has had rave reviews about his future.

The midfield seems to be the priority where we need a more aggressive player; I am not saying any of our present midfield players should be replaced, just another to help out in certain games.

Sven stays quiet with the press all the time, acting like a true gentleman and without giving anything away, and will not even predict where City will finish the season or its objectives. Of course we as fans would like to see a trophy (who remembers what one looks like?) and for the team to achieve a place in Europe.

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: COME ON NOW

Another MCIVTA, another moan from George E … I thought we’d moved on from the shock, outrage and disappointment of what some view as clearly brainwashing tactics by the new owners. Please, please, please get a life!

Look at the results on the pitch, go and enjoy a pint (granted eventually) at half time and be happy that we’ve managed to score a goal by that time, and remember that we are still in the top three of as Richard Keys likes to remind everyone ‘the best league in the world!’

George, I don’t know if you are a paid up member of the Supporters’ Trust and are bitter about not getting board representation or any recognition for the dramatic upturn in fortunes this season, but I don’t think I’ve ever read a positive post from you in MCIVTA.

Obviously this newsletter is a vehicle for venting frustration and anger at our team/club but surely at the moment there can’t be much to moan about; maybe the fact that it’s getting colder now at CoMS and we should have someone come around and heat our seat an hour before kick off? I mean come on City – pull your finger out – and by the way send people round with blankets at half time too as you really notice the change since the clocks have gone back!

I have noticed the content has dropped off somewhat since the moaners ‘of this world’ have had to put up with week after week of home victories…

Please can we have a home defeat to fill up MCIVTA again?!

[You’ve tempted fate there now John, please no for the 24th! Ed]

Yours, one happy (but cold) supporter.

REQUEST: BRISBANE BLUES

Are there any City fans in the Brisbane area who want to meet up on match days for live screenings/beers? Been exiled out here for 7 years now and looking for fellow Blues!

REQUEST: REDDISH BLUES

Reddish Blues’ next meeting is this Wednesday night, 14th November, at The Ash Hotel, Manchester Road, Stockport starting at 8.00pm (doors 7.00pm) and our confirmed guests for the evening are City Legends Ian Brightwell and Paul Lake; as always everyone is welcome.

Admission (which includes a free raffle) is free to branch members on production of a current membership card and for non-members it’s £2 for Adults and £1 for Juniors. You’re advised to get there early as we’re expecting a full house. For more details visit our website at http://www.reddishblues.com/ or contact Secretary Howard Burr on 0161 292 2525.

RESULTS

11 November 2007

Birmingham City       1 - 2  Aston Villa           26,539
Chelsea               1 - 1  Everton               41,683
Bolton Wanderers      0 - 0  Middlesbrough         17,624
Manchester United     2 - 0  Blackburn Rovers      75,710
Tottenham Hotspur     4 - 0  Wigan Athletic        35,504
Portsmouth            0 - 0  Manchester City       19,529

10 November 2007

Derby County          0 - 5  West Ham United       32,440
Liverpool             2 - 0  Fulham                43,073
Sunderland            1 - 1  Newcastle United      47,701

League table to 11 November 2007 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  13  6  1  0 14  1  3  2  1  9  5  9  3  1  23   6  17  30
 2 Arsenal         11  6  1  0 18  6  2  2  0  6  3  8  3  0  24   9  15  27
 3 Manchester City 13  7  0  0 11  2  1  2  3  5 11  8  2  3  16  13   3  26
 4 Chelsea         13  3  3  0 11  3  4  1  2  8  6  7  4  2  19   9  10  25
 5 Liverpool       12  2  4  0 12  4  4  2  0  7  2  6  6  0  19   6  13  24
 6 Portsmouth      13  2  4  0 11  6  4  1  2 12  7  6  5  2  23  13  10  23
 7 Blackburn R.    12  3  2  1  8  5  3  2  1  7  6  6  4  2  15  11   4  22
 8 Aston Villa     12  5  0  2 11  7  1  3  1  7  7  6  3  3  18  14   4  21
 9 Everton         13  3  1  2  9  6  3  1  3 10  9  6  2  5  19  15   4  20
10 West Ham United 12  2  2  2  8  6  3  1  2 10  4  5  3  4  18  10   8  18
11 Newcastle Utd   12  4  1  1 11  8  1  2  3  8 10  5  3  4  19  18   1  18
12 Reading         12  4  0  2  7  7  0  1  5  8 19  4  1  7  15  26 -11  13
13 Fulham          13  2  3  2 12 12  0  3  3  4  8  2  6  5  16  20  -4  12
14 Tottenham H.    13  2  1  3 15 12  0  4  3  8 12  2  5  6  23  24  -1  11
15 Birmingham City 13  2  1  3  7  8  1  1  5  6 12  3  2  8  13  20  -7  11
16 Sunderland      13  2  2  2  6  7  0  2  5  7 15  2  4  7  13  22  -9  10
17 Middlesbrough   13  1  3  2  8  9  1  1  5  4 14  2  4  7  12  23 -11  10
18 Bolton Wndrs    13  1  3  3  7  8  0  2  4  4 10  1  5  7  11  18  -7   8
19 Wigan Athletic  13  2  1  3  5  6  0  1  6  5 17  2  2  9  10  23 -13   8
20 Derby County    13  1  2  3  5 12  0  1  6  0 19  1  3  9   5  31 -26   6

MCIVTA FAQ [v0708.01]

[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 Points of Blue (formerly the Fans’ Committee)?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears 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] 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/.

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: