THE 93:20 PODCAST NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 2

Hello, and welcome to the 2^nd newsletter from the 93:20 Podcast. Thanks for subscribing, we’ll try and make it worth your while. And if it’s not, just redirect it to spam. We’ve got another jam-packed edition, so let’s crack on.

Hope Is All You Need

The sad news broke on Monday that Sven Goran Eriksson had lost his battle with cancer, at the age of 76. For anyone who remotely knew the man, it would come as no surprise to learn he seemed to have long accepted his mortality, and was at peace in his final months. 76 seems too young in the modern age, but he certainly lived a full life, with few regrets, so you can understand that he was ready for the end of the final chapter.

For many football fans, he will be remembered so fondly, for different reasons. Above all he came across as a truly nice man, a gentleman, despite the media obsession with his private life. For City fans, his influence was fleeting, but never forgotten. The 2007-08 season may have ended up being a palette cleanser for what was to come, but for us at the time, it was everything, coming off the back of the easily forgettable Stuart Pearce years. It was exciting, it was fun, and it felt for the first time in many years that City could be contenders again. It may have fizzled out, due mainly to an owner whose understanding of football could be printed out twice on a postage stamp. But despite that last day humiliation, City somehow were still in Europe the following season. Fair play, Sven.

It is perhaps telling that when I set up the blog section of 93;20, the first article I wrote was a two-part long-read on Sven’s year at City (links below). It shows how much that season meant to me, and others. And how ridiculous it was too. The charmer who under stayed his welcome was the title, and that seems fitting too. It would have been nice to see Sven herald in the 2008-09 season -who knows how history would differ, though I wouldn’t want to change a thing. And across a varied and successful career, Sven left his mark with so many other fans. It’s a shame that he couldn’t have made the leap with England’s so-called Golden Generation, but then no England manager can. Small margins and fine lines ensured it was not to be, as is often the case in sport.

That season under Sven at City was important. We did the double over United, unthinkable for so much of my life. But there was an importance beyond the results. He gave us hope again, and as a football fan, that is all you need. That is all you can ask for.
Rest In Peace Sven – and thank you, for everything. A life well lived, by a good, good man.

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/blog/sven-goran-eriksson-the-charmer-who-under-stayed-his-welcome-part-1/

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/blog/sven-goran-eriksson-the-charmer-who-under-stayed-his-welcome-part-2/

A while ago, I was part of a pod with Stefan, who was involved in the takeovers during that period, that took a look at that eventful year under Sven.

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/podcasts/se/

Atmosphere

On the pitch, and so far so good for City, with a tough test to come at the weekend. Last weekend Ipswich fans came with the full repertoire of a fanbase of a giddy small club, you'll know the chants if you've ever been to the Etihad. Entirely predictable, I'd have been disappointed if they hadn't sung them, truth be told. 

Harsh? After the initial flurry of goals, the atmosphere wasn't always great to be honest (nor was it appalling as some have claimed), with the juxtaposition of being back at the ground after the summer negated by, no disrespect Ipswich, this not being close to a big game. One of those games some spectators are happy to snooze through, waiting to be entertained, spend half an hour at the bar or just intent on beating the traffic. The better atmospheres are to follow, and of course there was the delight at saluting a returning hero. Football is so incessant nowadays, why would fans expect this utopian dream of bouncing atmospheres at every game. The game has changed, it was like a funeral at Anfield too, and that’s their legacy fans saying it, and you may bemoan the tourists, but they are taking seats of those no longer going, so they can’t be worse than an empty seat, and the older fans are hardly bringing the roof down, as a general rule. City need to nail the new North Stand extension – single tier, standing, more standing in South Stand too, cheaper tickets for those under 21. I won’t hold my breath. I appreciate the desire for a better atmosphere, but this is modern football in 2024. A problem is solved in football, and a new one is created. Those who shape such things will never get it totally right, but then match-going fans aren’t really that important any more, and we have known that for some time. These issues are solvable, but there’s no money in it.

Anyway, an easy win in the end, and as for Ipswich, they were the weakest link.

Goodbye.

Lacking energy?

More insanity over at the Carabao Cup draw, of a different kind to previous events. No, the draw was not held in a Nisa store on one of Saturn's moons, as the Nisa store had a prior booking, nor were the balls drawn out by Snoop Dog and the Krankies, but this time the six Premier League teams soon to be in European action joined the draw but - but - were not only seeded so that they could not play each other, but it was also arranged so that four of the six teams were at home, in a pre-draw draw. A blatant attempt to ensure as many of the "big" teams as possible get as far as possible in the competition, which is like rain on your wedding day, or a free ride when you've already paid, as many of them would probably prefer not to be in the competition at all. Many have suggested the competition would be better for that, and I struggle to disagree, but then would winning it mean as much? I should mention this was done under the premise of avoiding fixture clashes for the European teams, so maybe I am firing accusations in the wrong direction (the game has not “gone”, as some are claiming on Twitter), and instead should point out the increasingly insane schedule for top teams will not only break players, but has continued to devalue domestic cup competitions. Still, they'll be queuing round the block for City v Watford, a wet dream for the seat counters. 
I will not be there*

*will swap ticket for an Oasis ticket - DM me 

Smashing It

Finally in the montage of random thoughts, it would be remiss of me not to mention in passing another Richard Keys masterclass, though on this occasion he was outdone by his wingman, who smashed it as they had a discussion, described as a “deep dive” on City’s 115 charges.

Ultimately, you have to marvel at the professionalism of two men at the top of their game. A deep dive into allegations that will take a 12-week tribunal to dissect, followed by months of evaluation and thousands and thousands of pages of evidence, all dealt with, deeply, in under five minutes. Bravo. I watched this legal masterclass so that you don’t have to, so to surmise, this is was QC Keys and Gray concluded:

First, Andy Gray accused Guardiola of ignoring the situation and not looking to find a solution for “all of this”. Then Gray concluded, preceded by “I don’t know”, that City would likely get a massive points deduction. Gray stated they would be found guilty, as there would not be 115 charges otherwise. If they were innocent (and Keys was actually playing the reasonable foil here, amazingly), Gray stated we’d have known about it years ago. A discussion followed on those good old asterisks, and whether to strip City of achievements, before Gray sarcastically chuckled at the suggestion it was an independent panel. Thankfully, you’ll be glad to know that this deep dive concluded that they did not think titles would be stripped, but guilt would affect how City’s achievements were viewed.

So there you go. If only someone else had laid out with such clarity the situation before now, there wouldn’t be all this confusion and accusations flying about.

But whilst we can all have a good laugh at discussions like this, and we should, there is a very serious side to this that almost makes the findings academic, unless they are really severe. City are essentially guilty already in the eyes of most, because they want City to be guilty, and thus the “no smoke without fire” argument is all they need, plus a woeful ignorance of the UEFA charge, process and CAS findings. So when a media outlet is openly so ignorant with the facts, and has such a poor grasp on the situation, then do not be surprised that everyone else is equally ignorant, and it helpfully plays into their preconceived bias. But as I said, if City are innocent, it wouldn’t be accepted by the majority, so this is the inevitable consequence of it all.

As a further aside, the thing with Richard Keys is that he has become such a parody of himself, and is so blissfully unaware of the fact, that it is nigh on impossible to be offended or angry at any of his views. I welcome them in the same way I welcome a Garth Crooks team of the week, or Paul Merson trying to pronounce the name of any footballer not named Smith. These are golden times for the ignorant, though also perhaps soon to be the dying embers of the old football men, already replaced by numb skulled Youtubers who are happy to put forth any opinion for money and retweets. 

Final Thoughts

Normal service resumed at the Etihad, and normal service resumed with my fantasy football team. Took Bowen out of the team, so naturally he scores. Forgot to put Haaland in so of course he scores a hattrick. Why do I bother? 

Have a great week all!

Content & Stuff

Here’s what we have done, and will do this week. It’s a biggie. It always is.

My Dream Football Club

On Sunday, Ste, Joe and Howard (that’s me), designed their dream football club from scratch. Great fun, deciding, names, locations, kits, players, strategy and much more besides! No place for Kalvin Phillips, sadly.l

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/podcasts/dream1/

The 9320 Review – A Hero Returns

A Review of the Ipswich game, looking at Erling, Jack, wide men, a returning hero and tonnes more. A bumper episode.

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/podcasts/the-9320-review-a-hero-returns/

The 93:20 Interview – Marti Perarnau

Ahsan had the honour of sitting down with Marti to discuss the release of the English edition of his book, The Pep Revolution: Inside Guardiola’s Manchester City. A fascinating insight into Pep and his time at City. This is a MUST listen.

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/podcasts/mp/

Coming Up:

The Premier League Show

Our weekly look at the Premier League games, going around the grounds and discussing all the hot topics, as the transfer window comes close to slamming shut.

The Friday Show

A ridiculously huge edition once more, looking at the Champions League draw (and Carabao too), the new format, Raheem Sterling, Sven, transfers, opposition fan view, and previewing a tough game at West Ham. And that’s just some of the show!

Guest Blog

We’re honoured to have a guest blog from writer Simon Curtis on Sven, his legacy and building a new Milan in Manchester. It will be out on Friday, and without seeing it i know will be a must-read. I’ve written a book with him, so take my word for it!

Coming Weeks

An international break is on the way, but we will not be resting. We will probably revive the non-football series, and take a look at TV favourites, a new England manager, drop a new History pod, Hot Potatoes, and a lot more besides. Plenty to keep us and you busy.

Have a great weekend, and up the blues.