Newsletter #1755

The Premier League season got under-way this weekend with an emphatic start from City tonight against newcomers Swansea where we racked up the only home win of the weekend. Agüero certainly made his mark in his début and no doubt we’ll have views on the match in Thursday’s issue.

Tonight we’ve a look at the continuing transfer sagas with Tévez and Nasri, a look at the Rag issue and a parking offer for the home games.

OPINION: TIT FOR TAT

Arsenal are asking for Tévez now, according to the Sun, in exchange for Nasri. This confirms what I was suspecting anyway: Arsenal are messing about.

It makes sense. Wenger was always going to begrudgingly sell Nasri if he wouldn’t renew his contract. It was always preposterous that a penny pincher like Wenger would let him run out his contract when he can get 20 odd million for him. But Wenger also isn’t missing a chance to mess with our pre-season as far as he is able.

So I think that they’re going to play silly beggars about Nasri for as long as they can. I wouldn’t be surprised if we don’t see Nasri until deadline day. But the Tévez twist is genius. It stretches out the Nasri negotiations while possibly re-agitating Tévez just when he might have resigned himself to getting a job done here. Those are free bonuses for Arsenal whether or not they actually have a real chance of signing him.

OPINION: THE HANDBAGS AND THE BAD RAGS

In response to Ian Keir’s comments in MCIVTA 1753, I suspect Ian will find himself in a small minority in believing that using the terms “Rags” or “Rag vermin” in a fans’ newsletter (particularly a City one like MCIVTA) is “aggressive” or “intimidating”, as he puts it. I’ve never ever intimidated a United fan/Rag knowingly in my life, and have never had the desire to do so. Conversely, when Rags (oops, there I go again) refer to City fans as “Bitters”, or worse in a publication, is that really intimidating?

Of course, everyone is entitled to an opinion, and Ian and I clearly have a difference. The term “Rags” (Red Arrogant Gits) is a pretty old nickname for United fans, which many of us have used over the years. I suggest that Ian check out a few back issues of MCIVTA or any City fanzine (it’s interesting that he should take issue with it now). Of course not every United fan is nasty and horrible (even if their club is!), and I have never actually said that, but I will refer to their support as “Rags” and an anti-social element of them as “vermin”, or a combination of the two. If the cap fits.

If you’ve ever been attacked by United fans (and I have been on the end of such an unprovoked attack in the 1980s), then the term “Rag vermin” for the perpetrators is entirely accurate. United “fans” hurled nasty abuse on the London Underground at my wife after the semi-final, and the same terminology applies to those cretins too.

I’m sorry, Ian, but the scum who screamed vile, threatening abuse at Blues (that cannot be repeated here) along Wembley Way on semi-final day (while the Police stood by and merely filmed it) and the scum who physically attacked City fans (some of them parents with their children) at Wembley or threw objects and truly intimidated City fans, are Rag vermin in my book. It is not appropriate or acceptable for Ian to merely dismiss this violence with trite comments such as, “it’s not pleasant if you come across them but that’s life”. Does Ian have the same dismissive views about the similarly anti-social scum/vermin (call them what you like), who have rioted, looted and violently assaulted folk in towns and cities in England recently?

When people get hurt, it is important to report it, and do something about it. The press sweeps bad behaviour of a large section of United fans under the carpet, when it is important to condemn it and make people aware of it. Ian should do a bit of research (maybe talk to a few City fans) and check the facts before coming out with such sanctimonious, ill-informed drivel.

Anyway, what’s this “It’s only a game” nonsense?!

OPINION: TÉVEZ

Whatever happens to Tévez now, damage to the new season has already been done; the team has been preparing for the new season without him.

There are people out there who will not forgive him for his outbursts against the city of Manchester, and yet if he stays and plays great they will soon forget (there might still be some who will not).

Tévez has continued to want to leave Manchester City and join another club, in South America or Europe. Tévez has a contract with Manchester City for three more seasons, and if no other club takes him before the transfer deadline, he will be forced to stay and play for City.

If Tévez is forced to stay at City because of his contract, I do believe as a true professional Tévez will give his best for whichever team he plays for. But then I ask myself will it be fair to the other players at the club, for come the transfer window opens again at Christmas Tévez will want to be off again?

As much as I like Tévez I would need assurances that he will play for the coming season, and give 100%, then I would welcome Tévez back, but without these assurances I am sorry I would have to say no.

Roberto Mancini is trying to build his team; unless something has been said privately to Mancini, the Tévez saga has been unfair to him. If Tévez comes back for whatever reasons, I firmly say let Kompany keep the job of club captain.

Come on you Blues!

REQUEST: HOME CAR PARKING

Special offer season ticket parking for MCIVTA readers:

• 5/6 minute walk from Mary D’s
• Valid for all home games (league and cups)
• Secure parking behind locked gates
• No cash on premises (as we feel this is a security risk)
• Premises manned all the time
• Just £110 for the season (works out less than £5 per game, maximum)
• In your own parking bay

Contact me for details at the address below.

RESULTS AND TABLE

14 August 2011

Stoke City            0 - 0  Chelsea               27,421
West Bromwich Albion  1 - 2  Manchester United     25,360

13 August 2011

Blackburn Rovers      1 - 2  Wolverhampton Wndrs   21,996
Fulham                0 - 0  Aston Villa           25,700
Liverpool             1 - 1  Sunderland            45,018
Queens Park Rangers   0 - 4  Bolton Wanderers      15,195
Wigan Athletic        1 - 1  Norwich City          17,454
Newcastle United      0 - 0  Arsenal               46,894

League table to 14 August 2011 inclusive

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

MCIVTA FAQ [v1112.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

Articles (Heidi Pickup)          : editor@mcivta.city-fan.org
News/rumour                      : 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 by email. Unfortunately we cannot accept email attachments.

[3] MCIVTA Back Issues and Manchester City Supporters’ home page/Twitter

http://www.mcivta.com/ 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. You can also follow on www.twitter.com/mcivta to get the latest updates.

[4] What is the club’s official web site?

The official club web site can be found at http://www.mcfc.co.uk/ and the official club Twitter page at www.twitter.com/mcfc. The club also has a facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/mcfcofficial

[5] What supporters’ clubs are there?

The Official Supporters’ Club and the Centenary Supporters’ Association have merged to become the Manchester City Supporters’ Club (http://www.mcfcsupportersclub.com/). The club also recognise the Manchester City Disabled Supporters’ Association (http://www.mcdsa.co.uk/).

[6] Where can I find out about Points of Blue?

The committee operates as an interface between supporters and the club. Points of Blue appears on the club website under the “Fans” heading (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/Fans).

[7] What match day broadcasts are available on the web?

Live match commentary can be found on the club website. The Radio Manchester pre- and post-match phone-in is available on the web at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/england/manchester/.

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

http://www.satfootball.com/ provides a listing of Premier League games being shown on UK domestic and foreign satellite channels. A useful site for North American viewers is http://msn.foxsports.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://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/Usenet

[10] Do any squad members have their own web pages?

There are a number available and direct links can be found at http://www.mcivta.com/players/

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

A list of genuine player accounts is maintained at http://twitter.com/#!/MCFC/players

[12] Where can I find match statistics?

Statistics for the current season are available from the club site, but for a more in-depth historical 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: