Newsletter #1752

With another trip to Wembley on Sunday, we have opinion tonight on the game ahead, the upcoming season, transfers and yet more angst.

OPINION: COMMUNITY SHIELD

Mike Summerbee complains that the Community Shield should be played in Manchester between two clubs from the same area, even at Old Trafford and split the ticket sales of course.

I think that Mike Summerbee has something there – stop and think: probably half of the United supporters already live in the London area!

Well the game will be played at Wembley, and now we want to see our Blues go and win the Community Shield.

Come on you Blues!

OPINION: WEMBLEY BECKONS… PLUS ÇA CHANGE?

Wembley beckons again, and unfortunately, another meeting with the Rags.

I was talking to a Nottingham Forest supporting friend of mine about our semi-final experiences, and about the aggressive and intimidating behaviour of the Rags before and after the game. This didn’t come as news to him.

He recounted to me a League Cup Final in the 1990s between Forest and the Rags, in which the Forest end was infested by about 1,000 of the vermin (glory-hunters from the East Midlands) who had bought, what were by rights, tickets intended for Forest fans. The behaviour of the Rags was, surprise, surprise, typically arrogant and aggressive, and this led to trouble. He told me that it was so bad that it was impossible to have a pint, buy refreshments or go to the loo at half time, because it had ‘kicked-off’ on the concourse beneath the stand. None of this made the press, he recounted. His view is that the press sweep United’s bad behaviour under the carpet. Sounds familiar doesn’t it? Sounds rather like how the press covered up the Rag vermin’s bad behaviour before and after our glorious semi-final win over them.

My friend is not the sort of person who gets involved in trouble, so he didn’t bother trying to buy a pint etc. In fact he is one of the nicest and most mild-mannered people I have ever met (he is, though, one of those people who makes you sick: he is really good at any sport he turns his hand to!). I’ve played football and cricket with him and he is one of the most sporting people I know. A true gentleman. Like I say, he is mild-mannered, but he absolutely hates Manchester United with a passion.

Be careful out there. Watch your back. I advise avoiding Wembley Park Tube Station, especially given the ‘welcoming committee’ that was allowed to congregate outside and on the raised areas above Wembley Way before the semi; and this being the nearest tube station to the East End of Wembley, which will be infected by their presence on Sunday. Wembley Central is a bit of a walk, and Wembley Stadium has its own station which is next to the West End of the ground where we will be housed.

Come on City. Let’s beat them and put them in their place again.

OPINION: HERE GOES

So far so good, one trophy in the showcase, one more coming on Sunday and we’re not even into the regular season. Keep reading that Mancini is looking for a winger? Based on the pre-season form of SWP, Weiss, Johnson and Silva, I don’t think this will be a problem. Both Johnson and Weiss can play on the left, SWP can spell off Silva on the right and even Milner can play on the left in a pinch.

I can maybe see how Nasri slots in at midfield but I still think Milner should get a shot here. Watched him fill in for Tévez last season and I though left midfield was a good spot for him.

As for Balotelli and Tévez, if they think whingeing about the city of Manchester is going to get them a cut-rate deal out of town, Gary Cook should put them straight. City paid good money to get them, pay them ridiculous wages to stay, and City should be properly compensated when they leave. Sending Balotelli out on loan to AC Milan because they can’t afford to buy him should not be an option. I say, keep both on the bench, send them in when we need them or otherwise send them out against Stalybridge or Altrincham – worked for Bellamy! Do like the idea of getting Sorensen as a backup, always rated him.

Let’s stick it to the Rags on Sunday with a line-up that truly wants to play for City.

OPINION: INTER GAME

I watched with anticipation City’s match against Inter on Sunday, and was greatly impressed with our general performance. To be fair, Inter were missing a couple of their Brazilian defenders but nevertheless, still had a good team. The stand-out player was David Silva, without doubt; he single-handedly makes us tick, his control on the ball and ability to receive and release the ball is very “Barcelona-esque”! I would love some of our other players to take note and try to emulate him. Dzeko also looked very comfortable and scored a good goal, boosting his confidence in the process. Even though Balotelli scored, I am not convinced he is the striker that makes City a better team.

These are my ratings:
Hart 7 – a couple of very good saves, but he has a very, very bad habit, when the ball is played back to him, of delaying his kick… this will get him caught out, one day!
Kolarov 7 – good going forward, but still not convinced he is good enough defensively.
Richards 7 – seems to have bulked up, and is ok going forward, just needs to be more secure in his positional play.
Lescott 6 – at times he looks comfortable but he also is not totally convincing (compare him to Chivu – excellent defender)
Kompany 7 – generally he commands his area and wins a lot of 50/50’s; however, his passing out of defence is poor, giving the ball away too cheaply.
de Jong 7 – works tirelessly to win the ball, and is always available to receive a pass.
Touré 6 – did not have the impact he is capable of, and never really looked threatening going forward.
Milner 6 – works his socks off but lacks the finesse that a top team requires from a top player (e.g. Barcelona skill and endeavour).
Balotelli 7 – scored and was in the right place a few times, but too often wastes possession.
Silva 9 – star man, best player on the pitch, and City’s jewel in the crown.
Dzeko 8 – scored a good goal, was busy and held up play very well, plus he has a good touch and control for a big man.
SWP, Johnson 7 – worked well and made and scored one between them.

We seem to have a clutch of decent young players, and these guys would benefit going out on loan to Championship sides, where there will be tested and gain the experience to challenge for first team places.

If I was Mancini, and preparing a squad for the forthcoming season, I would want at least 18 very accomplished players, guys who are comfortable in possession, anywhere on the pitch. As much as Balotelli and Milner are good players, in my personal opinion, they are not top drawer players, worth £20 million plus. Having bought Aguero who is very highly rated, I can see Mancini looking to offload Tévez, and rumour has it for Maicon? Why? I would go for Eto’o, he looked very good in possession and always a threat to our defence, regardless of the fact that he did not score. I think he is top drawer player who will add to our team, with all his experience playing in big matches and for top teams too. I am very pleased we are linked with Nasri, whom I rated as Arsenal’s best player last season; he has pace and lots of skill, and would be a great addition for us. Mancini is reported to be after an attacking midfielder (hopefully Nasri), and a winger (supposedly Cerci – not really heard much about him?), and as I have said several times, go for Juan Mata, Silva’s former compatriot at Valencia, and a top player with similar traits to Silva; how could we go wrong with such a signing? Then again we have 3 very good wingers in Johnson, SWP and Weiss, so don’t really need another.

I am really looking forward to the Community Shield but also wary that United are no mugs and beat Barcelona the other day. It would be great to get one over them before the season starts.

Come on City!

OPINION: WHEN THE SEAGULLS FOLLOW THE CRAWLER

Trafford just can’t stop talking about us can they? The latest to open his trap was Eric the Seagull (the 2nd most over-rated player in the history of Football after Beckman), one of Ferguson’s arch-sycophants. Who is he to take a swipe at Balotelli or Tévez for their comments about not liking Manchester? I really don’t see what business it is of C*ntona’s? After all, he has had nothing to do with the city of Manchester at any time, other than when he played against us.

Their arrogance knows no bounds, but their constant whining about us suggests that they are worried. Very worried.

OPINION: TURN THE OTHER CHEEK

Sorry to contradict one our esteemed regulars (Phil) but actually United have always been famous for playing attacking football and for their winning mentality. On the way they attracted some very annoying fans but their teams have deserved their success as much as any other side who won trophies.

We must be getting them worried though. Have you noticed that while calling City noisy neighbours, Fergie keeps on talking about City all the time? I actually wish he’d shut up now – the incessant droning makes me think I’ve got tinnitus. Anyway, I can’t really understand what he says most of the time; we should insist on subtitles when he’s being interviewed on TV.

City fans should make a pledge to take less notice of them. It’s good advice from any parent or teacher to ignore the constant wittering of the attention-seeker and just carry on normally. Mancini has the right approach. He answers politely insisting that United, Arsenal, Liverpool or whoever is the team the interviewer is trying to use to provoke an intemperate response, are all excellent sides for which he has respect. But he rarely initiates a comment about United. Just responding politely is surely the way to go.

Beckham is way past his best now and really the only thing he can do is give interviews. I always like to remember what Jo Brand said about David Beckham: the strength of Hercules, the body of Adonis and the voice of Tinkywinky. Poor beggar, he’s only got the voice left. And of course like many United fans his knowledge of the history of football is somewhat limited. History began apparently around 1992 but then short memories are a feature of lower forms of animal life I understand.

This week Sir Alex will be trying to wind us all up with usual mind games so remember how one commentator described him: the man with a face like a careless beekeeper.

OPINION: TRANSFERS AND CONTRACTS

The City board is having a mixed bag of a pre-season, performance wise.

In the transfer market, the swift signing of Sergio Aguero, very soon after Tévez finally deigned to give us his intentions, was really impressive. It was businesslike and quick, as was Pablo Zabaleta’s new three year contract.

However, the lack of signing another midfield player and another winger is a concern, as our squad needs more depth for the long campaign ahead. Also worrying is our inability to remove Adebayor and Santa Cruz amongst other deadwood from the wage bill. It’s a shame that Mancini and Bellamy don’t get on but the latter needs to be moved on too. Hopefully a deal can be done with Celtic, and that should involve a transfer fee (minimum £5 million). Why should they get him on the cheap?

The lack of agreement with Nigel de Jong over a new contract is also a concern, even if he still has two years to run on his current deal. Whilst I’m disappointed that Nigel made it public that it hadn’t been resolved, in an interview with a newspaper, albeit only expressing mild frustration (surely these things are always better off done in-house?), what exactly is going on? The club has a policy of dealing with contracts in pre-season, MCFC appointed the widely respected John Williams, ex Blackburn Chief Exec, to support Garry Cook and Brian Marwood in this respect, so what is the hold up?

Nigel, who is the best midfield player of his type in the world, is a key player for this club. Without de Jong our defence lacks protection (e.g. Liverpool away) and our record without him is far less impressive than when he is in the team. Yes, Nigel has two years left on his contract, but now is the time to sort out a new one, and he should be on one of the best contracts available. Waiting until next summer to resolve this issue puts all sorts of unnecessary pressures on the club and the player to get it resolved. Other clubs get a sniff of this and we could find City selling him to get any kind of fee for him. City should secure Nige on a longer contract now, which reflects his contribution to the club.

As for Roberto Mancini wanting to swap Tévez for Eto’o, the MCFC board is absolutely right to be very sceptical about this. At 30, Eto’o is past his best, is unproven in England and has no resale value. At 27, Tévez will be a saleable player in two years’time when he is ready to move on again, so, it has to be a firm ‘no’ to a straight swap deal.

Eto’o plus £45 million for Tévez would represent value for City, but I doubt Inter will countenance that. If Tévez has to go now then the best deal to do is to swap Tévez for Sneidjer. We will get another world class midfield player, and what’s more it will really hack the Rags off. Which is nice.

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[11] Do any squad members have their own Twitter accounts?

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Editor: