Newsletter #1460

He’s home, as reported by Sarah last week the main news being that SweeP has rejoined City on a 4 year deal. We have news on that plus reaction to the games as City triumphed over West Ham and got through to the UEFA qualifying round on penalties. The other transfer rumours continue as the door gently closes.

We also have opinion on the early season, the new CEO’s comments (which have caused consternation in some quarters) and more on Dunney.

NEWS SUMMARY

General News

Thaksin Returns… (a) To See City Win: With owner Thaksin Shinawatra looking on from the stands, Hughes’ City slickers bounced back from the defeat by Aston Villa to secure three points. Daniel Sturridge made the breakthrough with his first senior goal at Eastlands before Elano grabbed a brace against the 10-man Hammers, who had Mark Noble sent off in the first half. Vincent Kompany had an impressive début for the Blues and Hughes said: “It is always nice to play well in front of the owner of the club. It does help. I spoke to him earlier in the week and I was really excited by what he had to say. I am sure he enjoyed the game. This was a big win for us. Irrespective of West Ham going down to 10 men so early, I felt we were in control. There was a real determination in our play and a willingness to ask questions of the opposition. It was a good all-round performance and once we got our noses in front there was only going to be one winner.” Personally I though Stevie Ireland, man of the match, who had a hand in both of Elano’s goals and Michael Ball, both had good games.

Thaksin Returns… (b) To Hand Over Control? Thaksin Shinawatra must relinquish majority control at Manchester City if he is to woo a multi-million pound cash injection from Middle East investors. A potential buyer from the Emirates is ready to pay the former Thai Prime Minister around £80 million for a controlling interest. The potential buyers are not from Dubai but one of the other Emirates and do not include Dubai International Capital or the race horse owner Sheikh Mohammed Al Maktoum. It is believed the Emirates investors had representatives checking out Eastlands at last night’s game. Shinawatra’s appearance gives more credence to the view that a deal is on the brink of being brokered. Asked about his position at City, he briefly stopped signing autographs with young fans and replied: “So far I am here.” Dr Thaksin would dearly like to keep hold of City but knows that it will be hard to attract a major cash boost without giving any investor a significant say in how the club is run. He has even told executive chairman Garry Cook he is willing to resign from the board as he is embarrassed about the damage he has inflicted on the club’s reputation over the risk of the Premier League’s Fit and Proper person test, which is pending because of the billionaire’s decision to skip bail over corruption charges in Bangkok. That case before the Thai supreme court is to continue in his absence while there have been mass demonstrations demanding Dr Thaksin’s return, which have been rejected by the Thailand prime minister Samak Sundaravej, who has ruled he has no plans to revoke his diplomatic passport or apply for him to be extradicted from the UK.

Micah Out Cold: Defender Micah Richards looked set to miss the UEFA Cup qualifier at FC Midtjylland after being concussed against West Ham. Richards clashed heads with team-mate Tal Ben Haim early in the second half of the 3-0 win at Eastlands, but scans have confirmed he did not suffer a neck injury and he was released from hospital quickly.

And Micah Makes the U21 Squad: Manchester City duo Joe Hart and Micah Richards both find themselves in the England Under-21 squad for their crucial European qualifier with Portugal.

Jo Gets Bronze With Brazil: New City signing Jo scored a brace for Brazil as they beat Belgium 3-0 for an Olympic bronze medal.

Match Reaction

Hart The Hero As City Go Through: Joe Hart suggested that England’s goalkeeping problems might not be so worrying after all by producing a match-winning display before and during the penalty shoot-out that settled the tie to put Manchester City into the first round of the UEFA Cup. Hart’s arm-waving theatrics in the shoot-out clearly unsettled the Midtjylland penalty-takers, and Hughes admitted that his young goalkeeper had now dispelled any doubts over his lack of experience. Hughes said: “Joe is a big character, and I think that was evident with his antics in the shoot-out. I don’t know what the referee said to him while it was going on, but it certainly worked! He is an excellent goalkeeper, though,” he continued, adding “He is still very young, but he has made a real impact and tonight he delivered yet again.” Trailing 1-0 from the first leg, City had to score against their Danish opponents, although it took until the dying minutes of the game for substitute Ched Evans to play his part in securing City’s victory, by bringing the game to extra time and ultimately penalties. When the game went to penalties, and after Johnson’s effort had been kept out by Heinze, Hart produced magnificent saves from Borring and Kolja Afriyie before Corluka scored to secure a 4-2 shoot-out victory.

City Up and Running: With 2 games played, and the transfer window about to close (thank goodness no more writing and re-writing of the news as the tabloids churn the rumour mill), Mark Hughes is pleased to see his team in the top half of the table. “It’s always important to get points on the board,” he said. “Nobody likes being in the bottom half of the table, I certainly don’t, but in days gone by it took about six games before the first league table was put up and now they do it after one game. You have to put up with that but we’re going in the right direction and we’ll get better.” Whether that will be with or without new players remains to be seen, but Hughes stated: “As long as they are of the right quality and will add to the quality that we already have then we’ll see what’s out there. There are opportunities and the means to bring new players in so we’ll be investigating that. It’s not just a case of bringing bodies in, they have to be the right quality and players that can move us forward.”

Kompany Impresses: Meanwhile, boss Mark Hughes paid tribute to new defender Vincent Kompany after his impressive début against the Hammers. He said: “Vincent has presence, an understanding of the game and he recognises danger when those situations occur. He nips these things in the bud.” The Belgium international has penned a four-year deal from Hamburg for an undisclosed fee to become the club’s third summer signing after Jo and Tal Ben-Haim. Centre half Kompany is set to provide cover in midfield in the holding rôle as well (however, starting him in midfield did not work, in my opinion, and it was only when he dropped back to cover for the injured Richards that he came into his own).

Transfer News and Rumours

Guess Who’s Back, Back Again… Shaun is back… Manchester City have re-signed Chelsea striker Shaun Wright-Phillips on a four-year deal. Wright-Phillips left City for Stamford Bridge in July 2005, for a fee of £21 million. However, he started only 43 matches for the Blues and became frustrated at a lack of first-team action. It is believed that City paid £10 million to get SWP back. Wright-Phillips said: “Obviously I’m delighted to come back to City and I can’t wait to get started again” (hopefully on Sunday!).

City Bid for Zabaleta: City have lodged an £8 million bid for Pablo Zabaleta, but face competition from Juventus for the services of the Espanyol right back. Mark Hughes, who has been monitoring the Argentine full back for some time, was particularly impressed with the quality of the 23 year old’s forward runs, his strength and character out on the pitch. Zabaleta was Argentina’s under-20’s captain in their successful 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship and joined RCD Espanyol for £3 million later that year. He also earned his first call up to the Argentine senior side in 2005 and, most recently, was a member of Argentina’s Gold medal winning squad at the Beijing Olympics.

Cheerio Castillo: The Mexican is on his way to Real Betis, where he will have to prove himself before he is assured a place in the squad…

Bye-bye Bianchi: Rolando Bianchi has joined Torino in a five-year deal. The 25-year old, who never settled at City, spent the latter half of last season at Lazio, and is believed to have taken a pay cut to go to the Serie A side.

And Now For The Nonsense: Selling Stevie Ireland to Blackburn… and let’s hope there’s no truth in either the claim that City are about to sign Brazilain Ronaldo who is currently without a club after being released by AC Milan following a knee injury, or West Ham striker, Craig Bellamy, who played for Hughes at Blackburn. Spurs have re-ignited their interest in Vedran Corluka in what is supposed to be an £8 million deal.

Ex-Blues’ News

Sommeil Improving: Valencia have reported an improvement in the condition of defender David Sommeil, who suffered a heart attack earlier in the week. The 34-year-old former Manchester City centre back has been hospitalised since collapsing at the end of a training session on Wednesday, and is yet to fully regain consciousness. But he has left intensive care and the club have revealed his condition is now stable.

Riera to Sign For Scousers: Albert Riera, the former City left winger, looks set to join Liverpool from Espanyol after the two sides agreed terms.

OPINION: EARLY DOORS

Well I’ve seen Man City on a number of occasions now this season (two league games in and it’s already feeling like a lifetime!), EB Streymur away (TV) and ‘home’ (attended), Celtic (TV), AC Milan (attended), FC Midtjylland (TV), Aston Villa (attended) and West Ham (attended) and thought I’d share my views for what they’re worth. I’ll skip through the games as fast as I can as I know that they’ve already been well documented.

I think the EB Streymur games can just be put down to ‘job done’ more than anything else.

I didn’t see too much of the Celtic game so can’t really comment, although I did see a little of Bojinov (more later), whose appearance followed his headed goal coming on as sub against Stockport.

The AC Milan game was okay (just okay) with the main emphasis (for me) being on Bojinov and his subsequent goal. I really liked what little I saw of him last season having witnessed all of his (brief) appearances for us first hand; he really looked a player. It was with great sadness and sympathy, that I received the terrible news of his latest injury just before kick off at Villa, having noticed that he was nowhere to be seen. I hope that his recovery is a speedy and full one, although it looks like it will be 6 months (whatever it takes to get him right). There were a few negative vibes around due to the speculation around Corluka and Ireland. Personally, I would like to keep hold of both of them and was as equally concerned that the left arm didn’t seem to know what the right arm was doing i.e. Mark Hughes seemed just as confused with what was going on as I was. I seen somewhere that Paul Aldridge was to blame, although this was subsequently denied? I still don’t feel like I got a satisfactory answer to all this having seen all the interviews that were given.

Anyway, next up was the FC Midtjylland game, which I was unfortunately unable to attend (those were my feelings before the game anyway). There was uncertainty surrounding the club beforehand due to Thaksin refusing to face the music back home and what can I say about the game other than it was awful? Haim was very much out of position for me and this was a bad selection decision; absolutely no balance. Dunne obviously made the glaring mistake for the goal but is still a hero in my book (I won’t get involved in that particular debate although having said that, I’m sure he’ll get mentioned again in this piece). Everybody was just off the pace really with the game coming too soon for us. Sturridge was the one positive to come out of it; great shot. Caceido hasn’t shown me anything to get excited about as yet, although I can’t say I’ve seen that much of him and he is still a young man in unfamiliar surroundings. Needs to take his next opportunity with both hands if it comes around or I fear he’ll be the next out of the door.

The Villa game was a strange one really with the same uncertainty still surrounding the club. Next came the Bojinov news, which was a huge disappointment that must have been transmitted to the team. We also couldn’t understand the inclusion of Evans before Sturridge. Don’t get me wrong; I think Evans looks to be a decent player but I just didn’t (and still don’t) think he deserved the nod ahead of Sturridge. Also, Fernandes in front of Hamann surprised me. Two other strange selection decisions for me. The back four looked far more balanced with a recognised left back (Garrido) and Haim playing his more familiar centre half rôle. However, although we matched them for large segments of the game, we were finally undone by slack marking, poor positional play and individual mistakes. It was definitely an improvement on any of the previous games as you would expect. Again, it has been well documented but the main points for me were good performances from Haim, Richards, Petrov, and Elano. I also thought that Sturridge played well during his cameo and Ireland was steady. Johnson’s performance was also much improved, although I know he is capable of far more. I really hope that he signs a new contract as I am a huge admirer. I hadn’t heard of the ‘big time Charlie’ stories until the last MCIVTA and I really hope these are untrue and unfounded, although I’m sure I could be wrong. Anyway, with him and Fernandes in the middle, we were far too light. I always hope that City players will come good if they don’t look up to it. Always. But I’m afraid that I don’t really see a future for Etuhu and Fernandes if we are going to move the team forward. I really don’t enjoy saying it but I’m just not impressed. Fernandes does show a lot of effort, energy and commitment but at this level it’s just not enough. I don’t think that Hughes fancies Garrido and on this showing he also didn’t do himself any favours unfortunately. On the whole, despite the defeat, I thought that there was a lot to be positive about despite key areas needing strengthening (centre midfield, right midfield and left back). By the way, did anybody see Johnson ‘do’ Hart from the halfway line following the half time whistle being blown? Class!

Next up was the West Ham game. I was feeling a little better about everything before the game for two reasons. One was the interview given by Garry Cook regarding the Shinawatra situation. Although no guarantees can be made, it was refreshingly frank and candid and some of the options discussed made a lot of sense. Sometimes it really is better the devil you know. Who else could come in and would they fancy the current management team? It doesn’t bear thinking about. I’ve always had my reservations about Thaksin (I mean, you can’t not can you?) but really seriously disliked him following the Sven sacking. I’ve got to say though that the appointment of Hughes appears to be a good one as a lesser man would probably have crumbled by now. Does Thaksin have the best intentions of the club at heart? I don’t know to be absolutely honest but I believe team affairs are in the best possible hands. The other positive for me was the Vincent Kompany signing who I knew nothing of beforehand, including what position he played. I subsequently read reports that he was a (central) defensive midfielder who was just as effective at centre half. So one of our troublesome positions was filled and he also had that flexibility that Mark Hughes craves. This was contrary to a newspaper I read last week, which reported that he looked to be a direct replacement for Corluka who was now a certainty to join Spurs. To**ers! I went round for the rest of the day ranting to myself about how if Corluka wanted to leave then he should just **** off etc.! I happen to like Corluka a lot, which is probably exactly why I resorted to behaving like a 10 year old! Newspapers! I honestly don’t know why I read some of them. I spoke to a friend on Saturday night who knew quite a bit about Kompany telling me how good he was, which whetted the appetite and I wasn’t to be disappointed. He looks a find; really good. I know that it’s only one game but he just looked like he has got something about him. He slotted in at centre half following Micah’s nasty clash with ease. A very good début. The game itself was very enjoyable and we looked comfortable when it was 11 against 11; with only Carlton Cole causing us any kind of problem. Once he went off injured and they went down to 10 men it was just down to us really (although you always wonder when you have hit the woodwork twice with nothing on the board). I thought Ball had one of his best games for us and I think he always looks steady at worst. Another one that I would like to see stay and on this showing did himself no harm. Hart had his best game so far and the back four played very well. Johnson was a lot better in the centre with Ireland coming in and playing very well on the right (although I think his MoM award was taking it a little too far). Petrov was great on the left with Elano showing his class behind the front man. Sturridge was great (again!). I thought that Hamann played brilliantly when he came on, Evans worked very hard and the unfortunate Etuhu pulled up before he really got going. As I say, although I don’t think he will quite make the grade, I take absolutely no pleasure in saying it and had nothing but sympathy for him. Who knows, he will hopefully prove me wrong. I still feel that we need a couple of signings, although I’d be more inclined to go for an out and out right midfielder as a priority than worry about a forward or left back. Those positions can wait to be re-evaluated in January for me.

What a difference a week makes. Nothing changes does it?

From here on in I’d like to see the following:

• All the outgoing transfer rumours put to bed with Corluka, Ireland and Ballpledging their undying love to City.
• Johnson signing a new, improved contract A.S.A.P., putting a stop to clubssniffing around.
• Obviously securing qualification to the UEFA Cup proper, which I believe we cando if we play like Sunday but we’ve got to be on it.

On a final note, I was actually sorry to see Bianchi leave, as I would’ve liked to have seen a little more of him. Great header against Spurs away last season and I was there to see him score his first goal for us at West Ham. Good memories (I won’t mention the glaring miss against Blackburn! Doh!). I’ve seen two reports; one claiming that he has gone for £2 million with the other saying that we had recouped £6 million of the £8.8. Does anybody know the true figure?

OPINION: COOK’S MIXING I

Is it just me – or is anyone else tired of the dreadful way in which Garry Cook’s ill informed quotes are being not only portrayed, but actually appearing in the press? To my mind, he’s nothing but a simpering media-tart.

Who is the guy? He’s not from a football background and he has no knowledge of transfers or other such day to day workings of a club – his undermining of Hughes in the Guardian on Saturday was simply disgraceful. Be quiet man, it’s not your job to keep re-quoting, reiterating and undermining the manager’s comments, which are of course, the only comments the humble football fan wishes to hear. I knew before I bought the programme on Sunday he’d have his two-penneth in there… he truly is cringeworthy. Painful.

Garry Cook – keep your ego out of my club’s limelight. You don’t belong there.

And also two words to those fans who recently submitted the ‘re-sign Shaun Wright-Phillips’ petition. Grow Up. Like the aforementioned humble fan, has any bearing on any matter whatsoever regarding your club – not least signing someone?

On a lighter note Mark Hughes isn’t an ex-United player – he is actually Madge off neighbours.

[The usual PR man has been strangely silent recently as well – Ed]

OPINION: COOK’S MIXING II

We’ve had both games so far on US TV… but my comment, so early in the season, is not centred on the players.

Is there any way we can ask Gary Cook to stop giving press interviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2008/aug/23/manchestercity.premierleague

I’ve had to put up with Malcolm proclaiming we’d terrify Europe and Swales pronouncing City would be bigger that United (and just when we had a chance to see if that could happen we began to slide) and now here we go again. I am all for ambition and success but I think keeping these things quiet and letting the results speak is a much better way to go. As for a Premier League of 10-14 clubs with no relegation… speechless.

Of course I have felt for a while that the Guardian is decidedly cynical when it comes to City (has anyone got a copy of the recent Guardian Book of Football, more like: here’s a lot of articles about United!) so maybe they couldn’t resist.

Give young Sturridge a run and this Belgian lad looks ok indeed.

Best wishes to all.

OPINION: COOK’S MIXING III

Roly Allen’s link to the Guardian interview with Garry Cook was a bit of an eye opener, thanks for sending it in mate.

I can’t decide what I make of the Cook. He comes across as a very hard-nosed businessman, which in a way is good. This is a competitive environment, and that cutting edge will no doubt help the club to develop its off-pitch operations.

But his comments also show a startling lack of awareness of his market. He must surely know that the primary audience for broadsheet articles on football club chief execs is the paying public, and not football industry insiders. To publicly display such a cut-throat attitude seems misjudged at best.

He needs to remember that the punters, whatever country they come from, don’t just buy into success, they buy into an ideal, and an aspiration. I’m not saying the guy needs some sort of “Jerry Maguire” style epiphany. But if Michael Jordan’s public persona had been as a complete s**t, our Garry wouldn’t have sold half as many sneakers.

On to more positive matters… the suggestion that someone might buy out Thaksin would sure help in letting me get some sleep, rather than lying awake reeling at my own moral bankruptcy.

And credit where it’s due. Summers aren’t made by single swallows, but Hughes showed a fair bit of tactical awareness with the use of Kompany as the holding man on Sunday, and also indicated that he is capable of identifying problem areas and addressing them quickly. The new lad looked capable of growing into that rôle, and hopefully he’ll prove to be the replacement for Didi that Gelson hasn’t yet become.

The Times had rumours yesterday of SWeeP’s possible return, and while he isn’t currently half the player he once was, some careful man-management and a regular starting berth might allow him to re-discover the joyful brand of zesty winging that he pioneered under KK. He’s still the most exciting player I’ve seen in a sky blue shirt. If Castillo’s going, it would be a sensible signing. In fact, pair him up with Petrov on the other flank, and I wouldn’t want to be a Premiership full back.

Although judging by Ireland’s positive performance on the right against West Ham, that position may already be solved. Even Elano had something to show, although for me the (admittedly very well-taken) goals added a gloss to what had otherwise been another so-so performance.

So, something concrete to build on. We need a performance on Thursday, but if they were to turn the tie around, you’d have to say that Hughes had steadied the ship in a fairly tempestuous storm. For now, I’d say he’s one up.

OPINION: COOK’S MIXING IV

So we got Thaskin and now we have his hand puppet Cook. Gee, it just gets better and better.

So he wants us to be bigger than United, winning everything and have superstars playing for our beloved Blues. Maybe it might take ten years he says. Got news for him, when I first started to support City in the late sixties, City had what I consider to be the best side ever under Joe Mercer and Malcolm Allison. Players with flair, skill, a hatful of goals, and steel in the defence, but then United had Best, Charlton, and company. They were a bigger name in the 60’s and they still are today. Not an overnight sensation.

In a perfect world maybe we could rule the world, but there’s a heap of clubs wanting to do the same thing. Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, even Martin O’Neill has lofty ambitions. But we have to be realistic, only one team can win the Premiership, but for me the money is in European football, so the top 4, maybe 6 would be fine.

There’s nothing wrong with aiming high, but we have to be careful that we don’t aim too high, and make a complete ‘cock-up’ of it, and since the mid-eighties that’s what City have been really good at. Will things be different now? I don’t know, we have to clean up our house first. Regardless of what we might think about the latest regime, good or bad, we have to get rid of all the rubbish, so that players and investors alike, want to come to City.

Hmm, think about it.

OPINION: GAME OVER

Ernie Barrow states ‘It was nice to see Frank back at CoMS watching his team play and win’.

Can Ernie please inform us as to what was ‘nice’ about Frank being back’? Personally, I was embarrassed by his presence, as I have been all weekend with the views of Garry Cook on the Masters team “using” the name and badge of Manchester City, a call for an end to promotion and relegation in the Premier League and his liking of Shinawatra on the basis that he is good at golf.

This joke isn’t funny anymore.

OPINION: DUNNE I

Can I just echo the sentiments made in the last issue about Dunney?

He perhaps is not the best central defender in the world but his attitude, effort and desire to play for our football club has been there for everyone to see since Joe Royle signed him in circa 2001. He has been a great player for City. He is the closest thing we’ve had in terms of potential for a player testimonial and our longest serving player in years. Can we please stop castigating the guy for the odd mistake that plenty of other players are guilty of and be grateful that he’ll lead the team for many seasons to come.

I would love him to be the first City captain in years to lift a meaningful trophy and I would love to see him break some appearance records and even achieve a much deserved testimonial from the club.

OPINION: DUNNE II

Dunny obviously can’t please everyone but, he has pleased enough to be voted player of the year 4 times on the trot. Not bad for someone who many feel is useless. Let’s not forget the number of games he usually plays and the amount of goal chances he snuffs out. Yes, his mistakes can be costly. Unlike a striker who can make up his mistakes with next chance he gets, a defender’s error is difficult to make up by himself and he has to rely on others. If the others are also having a ‘mare (à la Matalan!) the error is even more highlighted. Get off his back. He is a valuable, honest and loyal member of the club.

OPINION: DUNNE III

I love the way the usual Dunne worshippers come to his defence as soon as he is the subject of any criticism. I also love the way that anybody that dares to voice an opinion which disagrees with their own blinkered version of reality is immediately labelled “not a true Blue”. Get a life, anybody can get an odd man of the match award but the season is over quite a few more games than that and he is constantly losing possession in sensitive areas of the pitch like just outside the box or remember the cracking header he scored last season in his own goal! How many times does he get dispossessed whilst trying to run up the park with the ball? Regularly.

I have supported City for 45 years so don’t tell me that I am not a true Blue or any other of that c**p. When Distin dithered and dithered over his contract then left he was rightly berated, Dunne does the same but at the eleventh hour signs an inflated contract in relation to his skill and ability. He is average at best.

OPINION: IN GOOD KOMPANY

An extremely positive performance, yesterday in particular, from Vincent Kompany, who looks to be quite an accomplished player. If Mark can quickly sign a few more of the same calibre, then we’ll be in much better shape. Looking forward to the next League game.

OPINION: STURRIDGE

In response to Christopher Ryder in MCIVTA 1459 regarding giving Sturridge a chance, you have to be very careful with young players as there are only some who are capable of progressing very quickly at that age. It already seems like Owen and Rooney have been around for a hundred years. Mark Hughes is the man best placed to judge it and I have every confidence in his ability. It does seem odd that we keep having to buy strikers.

On another point, can anyone explain how top professionals manage to get injured during the warm up or within seconds of taking to the field?

OPINION: GLIMMER OF HOPE

Thaksin has been searching for partners but no one wants to be just a partner, they want to buy the club. If the right investors are out there then this might be the best option for the future, at least now the club looks good to an investor.

Reports say that investors from the Emirates and separate from the ones who made an effort to buy Liverpool, have the money ready to buy City.

If the courts in Thailand find in Thaksin’s absence that he is guilty, then the FA will step in and confer with the government as to the status of Thaksin. Thaksin could then be in a position of an unfit and improper owner by the F.A.

For Thaksin to just back down from being a director on the board is not going to help the club that much unless Thaksin gets some of his frozen money back from Thailand and intends to put some of his money into the club.

In truth Thaksin might have no other option but to back down as a director, maybe he is looking ahead of what might be if the FA steps in.

It is unfair of me to think that the courts will find Thaksin guilty, but the odds look against him, for political, or for whatever reasons.

The way the club is operating it is going right back to when they got a massive loan for Kevin Keegan to go out spending like a kid in a sweet shop.

I am impressed by what Thaksin has done to help Manchester City FC, but unless the bills are paid for the players what next?

There is a difference from the KK players that were bought; this time all the players are young, there is equity in the club as regards to the quality of players, but to be the best we must keep the best.

When one looks at the Manager and his coaching staff then look at all the players MCFC are a good looking outfit to any investor.

Whatever happens to Thaksin, I still think that he has helped City on the pitch, and has had his heart on moving the club forward.

We can all still look forward to a very good season, the club is equipped to move forward, together we must support it.

Garry Cook the Executive Chairman I feel sure is working hard behind the scenes to make City a better club.

I don’t think that we have too much to worry about, what we as supporters must do is to continue to support the club and team.

The City supporters and fans are the best and most faithful in the world, we must keep it that way.

Come on you Blues! In Sparky we trust.

RESULTS

25 August 2008

Portsmouth            0 - 1  Manchester United     20,540

League table to 27 August 2008 inclusive

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

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: