THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 10

Hello, and welcome to Issue 10 of the 93:20 Newsletter. I am as surprised as you that we have reached double figures! You have probably noticed it has been another quiet week for City, but I’ll do my best to find something to talk about.

The win at Wolves suggested the issues that existed before the break the moment Rodri left the pitch v Arsenal are persisting, but then I’m happy to ignore them to appreciate the pure joy of a last-gasp winner, from the unlikeliest source, a corner. And due to VAR, it was a goal I got to celebrate twice. Regarding the issues though, City restricted Wolves to virtually no goal threat for the final hour of the game, and it was creativity against a low block that remains the biggest factor for me. I could take the frailty at the back if City created a variety of chances. But defeating a low block is a problem, for Pep at least, as old as time itself. I do not have the solutions, but Grealish and Foden were surely the preferred options for this game, a game played on the edge of an opponent’s penalty area.

Needless to say, it wasn’t possible that the late goal could just be celebrated, and we all move in, as is what should have happened, as we have an entire industry dedicated to stupid takes, especially if City are involved. The John Stones goal was so devoid of real controversy, even the Bluemoon forum could only muster a 45-page thread in the following 48 hours.

Gary O’Neil naturally talked out of his arse after the match, as is usually the case. Managers are often more blinkered than fans, which is saying something, but at least they have something close to an excuse, namely the pressure they are under, and O’Neil is worried about losing his job, so felt the need to don a tinfoil hat. Maybe big clubs are recipients of favourable coverage, maybe they are not. But speaking about it after a perfectly legitimate goal is hardly helping your cause. The only unconscious bias I can think of right now is that Wolves can have a player score a winning goal when he shouldn't even be in the pitch, as happened in last season’s fixture, and no one raises an eyebrow, whilst City can score a legitimate goal and there is widespread talk, once more, of conspiracies, paid off referees, scrapping VAR and calls for questions asked in the Houses of Parliament. Bore the fuck off. 

Something clicked on Sunday night, and it wasn’t about state-ownership, cheating, doping, 115 or all that. It was more visceral, and thus in a way more damning, as it related to the bread and butter of football – which, to remind you, is the football itself. And the coverage of a perfectly fine goal, with minimal controversy attached to it, showed how far we have sunk, how many barrels have now been scraped. I expect this faux outrage, ignorance, bias and sheer stupidity from the usual suspects, the bedroom bores and sexual deviants who proffer shit views for money. But whilst I have long given up on swathes of our national media, I still expected better than their ignorance after this goal. Naturally the whole episode was exacerbated by this being a last-gaps winner, but that’s little excuse for some of the views put forward. Those who knew what they are talking about saw no problem whatsoever with the goal, and nor should they, what with it being perfectly legitimate (have I mentioned that previously?). And above all, Arsenal fans should really do us all a favour and keep their mouths shut, because if we do consider Bernardo Silva to have fouled the keeper, then applying such vigour elsewhere would see Arsenal in mid-table, scrapping it out with United.

Every week it is something new with City. Boy, it is so, so, tedious. In fact, coverage of City was beyond tedious in 2018. I’m not sure the English language, vast as it is, has a word to describe what this coverage is nowadays. I bet the Germans have a word for it though. From Chris Sutton proclaiming that City’s goal celebrations were embarrassing, to Micah Richards, who is a) not very good and b) so desperate to prove he is not pro-City, blues would be better served listening to punditry from the lovechild of Paddy Crerand and Alex Ferguson (don’t dwell no the logistical issues of that statement). Make it all end. I really do need to wean myself off social media. For those younger readers, let me tell you – it really did used to be fun. Still is, occasionally.

As for those issues with the team, it seems clear Kovacic and Gundogan are not the solution, and Gundogan alone has been largely underwhelming since his return. Results are fine, but performances are not, but that is nothing new. The stats won't always tell you the story about City starting a season slowly - and by start, I essentially mean the first half of a season. The results might look fine, but the bigger point is the performances don't always match said results. City tend to play their best football in the 2nd half of a season, when they move through the gears. That doesn't mean they will this season, it is as inevitable as the old Trafford roof leaking that City still eventually have a duff season and Rodri’s injury shortened the odds significantly. Nevertheless, we just can't use current performances to predict that. Especially as we are yet to use Foden properly, and Ake, Bobb and KDB are due back, all of whom can have, in differing ways, a huge influence on the remainder of the season. And then there's the January transfer window of course. But with KDB struggling with fitness, we already know that next summer’s transfer window, assuming we’re not in League 2, will have to be huge. Which I guess is rather damning of the summer transfer window that has just passed. The caveat is the uncertainty off the pitch, and when that has gone, it will be easier to plan for the future. City are in limbo, in many respects.

It is worth reiterating too something we have all witnessed over recent years, when I think about the fallout from the John Stones goal. Look what Pep has done to rival fanbases. Just look at where he has left swathes of rival fanbases, little more than QAnon conspiracy nuts vowing to bring down PGMOL and convinced City are cheats for reasons they cannot name (but they definitely are) because they have seen some of the best teams of recent decades not gain the success they feel was merited, not because another club may have moved some money between accounts a decade ago, as they want to believe, but deep down know is because a generational manager, one of the greatest ever, stood in the way of their success. And he built such a machine, that the relentlessness of it has broken a number of fanbases, who know a single defeat can have disastrous consequences. He was only supposed to be here three years too, and everyone in the media said during his debut season that the Premier League would eat him alive and spit him out, with no love for his fancy-dan ways. The guy didn’t even practice tackling! And he has stopped them experiencing their greatest years, and he’s still here. I can understand why this would hit so hard, and why you need a comfort blanket to cope with it all, namely that it was all achieved with cheating, doping and state wealth alone. I’d probably feel the same in their shoes. This is why so much emotional baggage is invested in City getting found guilty of their 115/130 charges. Can’t do it on the pitch, so in the courtroom (of sorts) it is. Don’t worry, Pep will be gone soon, and a more level playing field will return.

Anyway, to more trifling matters. Last week I spoke of another “cock-up” from City regarding tickets for the Feyenoord match, announcing prices under 24 hours before they intended to take payments. Thankfully, City back tracked after "feedback" and are not taking the money for the Feyenoord game until the 28th. It's great that they have acted, and that they have listened to concerns. It's equally baffling that they needed to be told that the original process was unacceptable. What were they thinking, if anything? It's the actions of a skint club desperate for any income. And it is proof that complaining, that speaking up, can make that a difference. It's about time we started standing up to the club more. We don't owe any of the individuals anything. We are entitled to have a voice, and not be fawning acolytes, because the club has done so much for us all.

FREE BOOK KLAXON!

Well no one is buying it, so may as well give it away – for one day only!

Yes, just on Thursday 24^th October, the book I am proudest of, Twelfth Man, is available for free on Kindle.

Here is the link:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Twelfth-Man-Being-Howard-Hockin-ebook/dp/B09ZYLHFH2/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.j4_O23952NMTdd4XSyPHsIkiGF9TQuocWUrgn-plDPAeGNRhTfsJBFXO4pTLUsS6byAtP-CeB3obdrUrn0L6ADLumipfgVBf44kRaovhjAKmp8jXzw5wJr_m01VsqY2JnqeeoXl5lvY_X5weg5wcN4-BhveU-H7yRP4Qc3OG-Vpf5ewpSRdaX_ERBRfIJZNT.CEzobnYYNSRi1vaK7vQDXttHoSF0Iz65b6JKNrC25iY&dib_tag=se&keywords=howard+hockin&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1729604385&sr=8-1

If you did miss the promotion, there is some consolation – it is available for half price, which is basically the same as a grab bag of crisps, for the next week.

And if you like the book, do give me a nice review on Amazon – it is crucial for writers.

Finally, I thought I would disgust you all. Don’t worry, it’s not THAT photo of Paul Scholes with his todger slipping out (sorry), or even said player sucking his daughter’s toes, but actually a disciplinary briefing. This week, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was again in the news, receiving a five-match stadium ban for "improper conduct", which came because of him spitting at the feet of referee Josh Smith. Marinakis denied the FA charge at his hearing. In his defence, said he coughed. This is how the defence played out.

I’d see a doctor about that.

SPARTA CUSS

Ok, I’m doing that Columbo thing again. Just one more thing. As you know, City beat Sparta Prague on Wednesday evening, to set a European record for an unbeaten run, previously set by United. Now no one cares about City of course, but this naturally attracted the ire of James Pearce, who is paid well for his opinions of football, but cannot comprehend, or chooses not to (delete as applicable), that a penalty shoot out does not decide the winner of a game, but who proceeds when the actual football could not provide a winner. As I have said already – please give me a break from this stupidity.

What We Have Done This Week

The Review - Clutch

Howard and Ahsan look back at the last-gasp win at Wolves, and a team still not gelling. Frailties, creativity and Pep solutions, plus the title race and Sparta.

The Hub- Episode 16

Fahd Ahmed joins Bailey to discuss Thomas Tuchel becoming England manager, look at the strengths and weaknesses of Mateo Kovacic as a number six, and the impact of Enzo Maresca at Chelsea.

The Review – Heeling Process

Howard and Ste look back at a comfortable win over Sparta Prague, and more records broken. Boring.

 What Is Coming Up

The Friday Show

You know the score. Another bumper episode, looking at the week that was, previewing the Southampton game, and more.

Premier League Show

Another staple, Ste and guests will be going around the grounds.

 Plus - the usual reviews, Hub shows and a whole lot more. There are also more competitions to follow so look out for them too.

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!

https://soundcloud.com/9320pod/tracks