Newsletter #1933

For the first time in a long, long while we go in tonight’s game as clear underdogs, having seen Bayern simply tear us apart at the Etihad.

That said, it’s a dead rubber, playing for pride etc. so let’s hope we put on a better showing. No doubt there will be changes on both sides.

The weekend saw a point won/two points lost debate ensue though one did have to say the Southampton equaliser was quite simply stunning. Hats off.

Some interesting articles this evening; keep ’em rolling in!

SOUTHAMPTON

Well a draw is better than a loss, but that’s two valuable points lost.

Let’s not take anything away from Southampton, they played a very good game and their goal by Osvaldo could very well be in with a chance of goal of the season.

City started this game in style and Agüero scored a planned goal that looked as if it came from the training pitch.

I’m not going to name players that did not play up to their potential, but there were a few on the day. No team will win the title of the Premier League without winning away from home, a fantastic home record will not be enough.

In the game versus the Saints there was a lack of commitment, lack of concentration.

MCFC have a great squad of players and there is no excuse; more endeavour is needed whilst playing away. In the game versus WBA, City showed that commitment until the last ten minutes.

There’s a long way to go in the League, but away form has to change now.

Next game is away at Bayern, who have just scored seven goals in their last game, but we can say City have also scored seven goals in a game this season. The Bayern game defines who will top the division going into the last sixteen; to me it means have City got that fight away from home.

In Pellegrini I trust! Come on you Blues!

ON FORM NASRI

Is it just my imagination or does Samir Nasri really shine when David Silva is injured?! Nasri, Agüero and Negredo click together and Silva, Agüero and Negredo click together but when all four are fit, the combination doesn’t seem to work as well.

Good to know that Nasri fits in so well when Silva is injured, but when he returns, I think Samir is going to get crowded out. Still, a nice position for Pellegrini to be in.

One other thing: in the past two seasons our defence was our strong point but now it seems to be our Achilles heel. Kompany coming back will help but if he could just link up with Lescott, Zabaleta and Clichy, problem solved. But tell me, what’s with the persistence in continuing to play Garcia – what role does this individual play on the team? Other than that début header against Stoke last year, he is no offensive threat, as slow as a carthorse in defence – in essence, a total liability! Surely Gareth Barry couldn’t be any worse?

As for the goalie situation, you can’t fault Pantilimon but Hart is the team’s future. Maybe they should just alternate like the NHL hockey goalies do in North America?

Here’s hoping we can stick it to the Baggies.

AWAY STRIP AT HOME

Thanks to all who solved the puzzle of the colour clash.

All details have now been filled:

Sat 31 Aug 1985
Newly-promoted City (after the Charlton 5-1 earlier in the May). With Mick McCarthy, Alex Williams, Paul Simpson. Spurs had Ray Clemence, Waddle, Hoddle and Ardiles. Indeed, it was white and sky blue shorts (not yellow) that Spurs played in. Ordinarily it may have been OK but it was such a sun drenched day the colours just merged and the game was stopped.

We won 2-1 (Miller o.g. and Simpson).

I’m pretty sure it was red/black stripes that we came out in. As Billy McNeill explained on TV on the Sunday ITV game (think). The red/black chequered top (à la Altrincham and Frank Sidebottom) was a kit infamous in that we never won a game in it so I don’t think that got an airing at home.

Curly Wurly goes to Phil G.

CALLING MINNEAPOLIS BLUES

I will be travelling to Minneapolis when we play Arsenal on the 14th. I know it’s a slim hope that there will be an establishment open at that hour for it but if there is please let me know.

MCIVTA FAQ [v1112.01]

[1] MCIVTA Addresses

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[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.

Philip Alcock, editor@mcivta.city-fan.org

Editor: