THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- EPISODE 12

Author

Howard Hockin
November 07, 2024

Hello, and welcome to the 93:20 Newsletter, Issue 12 (I think). Another boring week in the life of Manchester City football club. As always, I’ll do my best to find something to talk about.

Not that I really want to talk about a lot of the last week, football or otherwise. Thankfully, this newsletter does not involve itself with pesky reviews, so we can largely ignore the three defeats in three different competitions over the past week. See the podcasts for further details. I will touch on it later however, as there is a debate to be had on “leaning” on Pep when looking at recruitment.

Still, I have had some good luck, dodging bullet after bullet for many of City’s worst performances over the past year. I had a double three-hour finance meeting when City played Aston Villa last year, and somehow I got the best deal. The WhatsApp messages once I left the meeting pulled few punches. At the weekend, there was the rarest of beasts – City away at 3pm on a Saturday, and naturally I would not dream of using an illegal stream, ahem. Though if I had hypothetically tried to use one, I imagine it was so bad I barely saw anything of the match. Hypothetically, of course. On Tuesday I had tickets to see Simon Brodkin at the Lowry, so missed another stinker. In the old days I would have sold the tickets, but I’m less inclined to let City run my life nowadays, especially with this new bloated format in the Champions League. So basically, I have not had to witness in real time City’s low points. On Saturday I am Salford Beer Festival. Maybe I am cursing the team by not watching these matches, and should try and ensure I see this one. I fear a 4th defeat in 10 days however.

The injury crisis has clearly played a huge factor in the current situation, along with other factors. Pep has historically managed squads brilliantly, so this may be down to bad luck, or there may be real burn out involved. Mentally too. The cohesiveness does not seem there, the toughness, the togetherness. There are clearly squabbles behind the scenes. As for Kevin De Bruyne, what on earth is going on with him? It’s sad to see, as he plans a future away from City. I’d rather he concentrated on the here and now, and feel I can say that however much he has given to the club.

I have bemoaned the desire of City fans in the past to look at recruitment when City have dared drop points in the past. However, it is impossible not to on this occasion. I’m a huge fan of Txiki, but this situation has been sleepwalked into over the past couple of years, and much on the instruction of Pep, who turned away potential signings to maintain a small, tight squad. It’s hard to criticise such a practice considering what the past has brought us all, but it’s kicking us up the backside right now, that is for sure. An ageing squad just left to do what an ageing squad will tend to do. Lose a yard of pace and pick up more frequent injuries. Not sorting out a Rodri back up plan before he actually got injured was never a good idea. A dependency on Kyle Walker, who wanted to join Bayern Munich last year and was clearly on the wane before then, equally so. Leaning on Pep, assuming he will sort everything with his genius is not a policy to be applauded – quite the opposite. As mentioned, Pep likes a small squad, but that is no excuse for the inactivity in the transfer market in recent years, and now the team is paying the price. Maybe they are waiting to see how the wind blows with 115, but again, no excuse. The club is so bullish about beating all charges, it can’t use that as a caveat.

So time to move on from Pep, right? I jest, and anyone suggesting so needs their head examining. But.

But…..

What I will say is that recent struggles, and a lack of any real form this season, has provided me with the clarity not to fear a post-Pep era. Perhaps Arne Slot at Liverpool has provided further evidence not to. Klopp was a magnificent manager, but he had his flaws, and his stubbornness, like any manager. So does Pep. But that is not really the main point I wish to make.

The main point is that maybe change can be good, for all parties. Maybe we should embrace change. Maybe any squad needs it, and life cycles need to end, however good the component parts. The era of someone like Alex Ferguson managing a club for decades has gone. It’s a miracle City may get a whole decade out of Pep. And let me make it clear, I will jump around my living room with glee if I hear over the international break that Pep has signed a contract extension (one year, you heard it here first, maybe), much like I did when I heard he was joining City, and I do not want him to leave, I am not insane. But it won’t be the end of the world if he does. A generational manager like Pep rightly gets to choose when he leaves, as he sets his own high standards, so would never outstay his welcome, or usefulness, anyway. But however much joy he has brought to us all, I would not want him as City manager for the next thirty years. Careful what you wish for, but at some point (that point being unknown), I want to see something new. A new approach, a new system, new tactics, a team that enjoys counter-attacking, wants to cross, wants to stop crosses, hey, perhaps even a manager who will practice tackling (joke), and embrace a bigger squad. And most importantly of all of course, start prioritising the Carabao Cup again. It may send City into a spiral, it may mean fewer trophies – it almost certainly will – but whilst trophies are a priority, they are not everything.

So to recap – I want Pep to stay for another decade, but as a man who has been risk-averse his whole life and feels that needs to change, whilst also feeling rather apathetic about modern football as a whole, there is a certain excitement about the idea of change, embracing the risk, the uncertainty, the new styles, players and more. Stability is overrated. What’s more, maybe the new recruitment team will be aggressive and proactive without the generational manager to lean on and put things right - they may even purchase a full-back.

Maybe.

The perfect compromise – a one-year extension for Pep, and he leaves after a decade. I’d be comfortable with that, and I think it would be the right time for a new era, new challenges, and a brave new world. Big Sam in League 1 anyone?

As proof of how rare a City defeat is, how big an occasion it is, you only have to look at the incessant fireworks being let off around Manchester throughout Saturday night. I assume that's why they were being let off. Then it happened again on Tuesday night! City really are big news. Brighton may be very misty on Sunday morning.

In this week’s edition of shit journalism, step forward none other than Gary Cotterill, who somehow managed to embarrass an entire nation with a single comment at a press conference, which takes some doing, whilst simultaneously forcing me to have some sympathy for United’s incoming manager. If you don’t know what happened, well lucky you, but basically Cotterill demanded Ruben Amorim, at a Sporting Clube De Portugal press conference, in Portugal, answer a question in English.
“It’s like a cold shoulder to your English fans,” said Gary Cotterill as Ruben Amorim politely declined the Sky Sports reporter’s request to answer his question in English.

It was satisfying however to see the fall out, which was seismic. This is a man with a history of moronic behaviour, so it should surprise no one. Still, at least we can all be confident Gary Cotterill will take the criticism on board and emerge as a more well-rounded and compassionate individual. Right?

Finally, to Vinicius Jr. What a joy to see him bitch his way round the Bernabeu pitch this week as Real Madrid lost at home to AC Milan. It couldn’t happen to a nicer man. The man that should have won the Ballon D’Or (trademark), decided to fake injury to get Milan’s keeper sent off despite there being no contact. A brilliant footballer, and a graceless, odious arse. I’d rather have Donald Trump to dinner than see him win the Ballon D’Or in the future. And if he does, City should cite other commitments and not turn up, just for the banter.

ANOTHER FREE BOOK!!

Another week, another of my books available for free – for the next three days. And it will be permanently cheaper thereafter, in case you missed out. Spread the word!

It’s a cracker – my review of the treble season, with inspired title supplied by Ally Fogg, and not surprisingly, my biggest selling book. Enjoy.

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What We Did This Week

Podcast - 93:20

ninetythreetwenty.com/9320-player

The 93:20 Review:- Ageing Process

Ste and Howard look back on a dispiriting defeat at Bournemouth, and the many factors that contributed to it.

The Hub:- Episode 17

Ahsan is joined by Jon Mackenzie and Bailey to chat about the Bournemouth game and the bigger picture for City at present.

The 93:20 Review:- Messy

Ahsan and Bailey look back on a chastening night for City, talk tactics, individuals, and Pep.

What Is Coming Up

The Friday Show

As always, packed with content, looking back at a difficult week, and another difficult match ahead before an international break arrives (thankfully – never thought I would say that)

Premier League Show

The weekly look around the grounds, as another big weekend of Barclays action approaches.

Next Week

As is often the case, the international break is often our busiest period! Maybe Pep will have some news too, who knows?

We will have the Brighton Review Pod, a History pod on our Argentinian strikers and an iconic scoreline pod, where we try to agree on the most iconic City match for every single possible scoreline! Plus lots more besides!

If you are not a subscriber to our player shows, then enjoy some free samples of what we are about. Every show we do will have a 15 minutes sample on Soundcloud, along with a full, free weekly Friday show, jam- packed with content. Give it a try!