THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 45

Hello, and welcome to Issue 45 of the 93:20 Newsletter, and plenty to talk about as always. Crazily, City are playing football again. And unless you’re a fan of tennis, this can only be a good thing, with a not a lot else going on for sport lovers. Kabaddi, anyone?

The fixtures are out, always a big day in the calendar, and also one of the worst, as the conspiracy theories flow, as to why Arsenal or Liverpool have got tough games after a Champions League fixture. What about the game before the fixture, eh? Does that not count? The checklist is simple, and should last under a minute – opening day, United games, other big games, Xmas schedule and the run-in. Then back to doom-scrolling on Twitter.

City fans need not worry, as we actually have something else to talk about, due to past successes. And so, it has arrived. Rejoice, as the Club World Cup, the competition taking America by storm, has begun. Marvel at dull draws and ridiculous mismatches. Sweat at home as players toil in 90% humidity. Swoon at the new kits made specially for the tournament, and the marketing opportunities they present. Be standing, as each player is individually introduced onto the pitch.

OK, enough of the sarcasm.

Let's cut to the chase here. Gianni Infantino did not wake up one morning with a burning desire to do something selfless, to bring about change for good in the world's most popular sport, all without a thought of personal gain. A bigger, shinier Club World Cup is his legacy, what he wants to be remembered for, as every President, power-hungry and narcissistic as they are, has to leave their own mark and imprint from their reign. It's a vanity project, and Infantino is in many respects perfect for his role, with his willingness to get in bed with anyone. This was never a role that came with a high moral bar, like many in the sport.

Still, not the greatest of starts, is it? It's not Infantino's fault that America is hardly an attractive place for tourists right now, but he could have envisaged hot weather in stadia without a roof, not helped by ridiculous kick off times. Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the midday sun - and quite a few footballers it seems also. But the tourists were never really coming anyway – or more to the point, the European fans from their native countries – it just wasn’t that attractive a proposition – and all the PR in the world is not going to dupe a football fan into spending thousands of pounds for whatever this is.

After all, I could list a hundred things wrong with this tournament. Shoe-horning a domestic tournament at what is, for many of the teams, at the end of a long season, the delusion of thinking the lure of the tournament would allow disgraceful ticket prices, the make up of teams, the deals with the devil to make it all feasible, and more. I’m just thankful the City squad weren’t pictured in the White House stood behind Donald Trump.

However. It may just work, kind of. Eventually. 

After the disappointing season, I am ready to see City play again. And it’s an excuse to go to the pub in blazing sunshine, if an excuse was needed. I may struggle for the 2am fixture, however. There is, in theory, a space in football for this concept. In theory. Maybe, over time it will develop, and grow. This will be a 48-team competition by the time it next swings around, however. Too many big European teams have been left out, and the danger is it becomes a summer Champions League in all but name in the future. 

As for quality, there’s not been a lot yet. Let's wait until the quarter final line up has dropped. Let's see how many European teams make up the eight remaining teams. Results so far, with PSG losing soon before I type, suggests it may be more eclectic than I first expected. But that may be down more to climate and how serious teams are really taking this. The difference with a national World Cup is that the best of South America can fully compete with Europe's best. Some Asian and African countries can be competitive too. The same is not true with the club version, and the disparity is crystal clear, and don’t let the odd result fool you. The difference in the appeal of the tournaments could not be starker either. Hey, they've got to start somewhere, but it doesn't bode well. It would have been better served being hosted in Europe, in a more compact area, with some more compact stadia.

Still, here we are, and City can seek some advantages from it. After a huge overhaul on and off the pitch in recent weeks, this is a time to bond. To learn, adapt and prepare. Better to have too big a squad in the oppressive American heat. A whole new team awaits for City’s second game. Pep should absolutely treat this tournament like a pre-season tour, and thus, as he stated, the start of a new season. City do not need this trophy to succeed, and nor do the players. What will be will be – the most important thing is not the trophy itself, but that the tournament does not put City at a disadvantage for next season. Anyway, the bean counters will be happy, with another £50m plus on the way. Put it in the Livramento pot. 

And despite everything I have said, however, I still don't know what to think about the tournament. Even as the first game progressed, I couldn't decide if I was watching a competitive match or a glorified friendly. It played out like the latter. If City were to go out, I would be over it instantly. The worse they perform, the longer a break and preseason everyone gets, and we learn little about how next season will pan out. The longer they stay in, the more opportunities for a plan for next season to develop. Pros and cons. So I may as well enjoy the ride, as it comes without the stress of domestic football, and three new signings and a returning Rodri makes it all worthwhile. 

As for that red card for Rico Lewis – it fits into a nice little genre that accounts for hundreds of red cards each year. Which is basically this: yes, according to the laws of the game, you could argue that the red was justified, under the auspice of dangerous play, but at the same time, such decisions are, for me at least, a damning indication of where modern football is when red cards are being handed out for things like that, and are then justified afterwards. With every passing year, matches will be decided less and less by the actual football on display, but more down to who can keep 11 men on the pitch, and win the most soft penalties for accidental handballs and “initiating” contact in the box. Game’s gone and all that.

Look, mocking Rio Ferdinand for his football knowledge or bias is like taking candy off a child, or three points off Burnley. But for him to allow this clip to be aired is rather revealing. For a Manchester United fan to question how City can spend so much money is naturally hilarious, Alanis Morissette levels of ironic. So was Rio just asking so that Kieran Maguire, a friend of the podcast, could give an honest answer? I’m cynical. It wouldn’t need to be discussed if Ferdinand had a grasp of facts, even a loose one. So there are only two reasons that remain: firstly, Rio is genuinely mystified that England’s most successful side, that has finished above United every season since Alex Ferguson retired, won seven league titles in that time, the Champions League (and qualified for it every season, unlike every other English team), multiple other cups and is currently earning at least £50m for a glorified pre-season tour, which tells you all you need to know. Or he does know, understands it perfectly, but needs to maintain his United persona, because this is truly reflective of the standard of coverage we get nowadays. It’s like rain, on your wedding day.

Finally, I have been working on a few fictional football books, inspired by the infamous Steve Bruce trilogy, books that now cost thousands of pounds to obtain. Problem is, I can formulate a plot and first line or paragraph at most, but after that, the writer’s block sets in. Below are some examples of the issues I am facing. Suggestions welcome.

IDEA 1

A VAR system becomes sentient, and starts handing out sensible decisions.

First line:
“Last night I dreamt I went to Stockley Park again. But this time was different. This time, something quite amazing happened. You may call me Ishmael, and this is my story.”

IDEA 2

A craggy, belligerent manager brought up on the tough streets of Govan, Glasgow. A brown envelope or ten. A succession of favourable decisions for his team. A lone man with nothing to lose suspects foul play. But his investigations put not only his own safety at risk, but all those around him.

First line:
“The sweat wis lashing oafay the boy; he wis trembling. He had taken on more than he could chew, nae doubt about that.”

IDEA 3

Similar to my existing thriller script (see elsewhere), this book revolves around conspiracy theories. A man is lured into the depths of QAnon message boards, and begins to believe some wild conspiracy theories. That the earth is flat, JFK was killed by Stanley Matthews, and that Rodri didn’t handball against Everton.

First line:
It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen. Typical bias towards Liverpool. Check complete – goal.”

IDEA 4

A Tale of Two Cities

The book runs parallel as it follows the fortunes of two clubs, after Manchester City beat Leicester City with a very soft penalty in the 93^rd minute. Manchester City go on to win the league for the 45^th consecutive season. Leicester City ultimately end up in the National League (North).

First paragraph:

It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Life, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way-in short, the period was so far the like present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only. And as always, Man Citeh* were cheats.

Finally, a present….

I have updated a chart I have worked in the past, so take a look at a chronological guide to Premier League points won since 2000. Hopefully we will pass United at some point soon.

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/1230495/

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

https://ninetythreetwenty.com/9320-player/

CLUB WORLD CUP PREVIEW

Howard and Ahsan have a leisurely chat as they preview the Club World Cup – whether it is a force for good or bad, how Pep will approach it, new personnel and a whole lot more.

THE REVIEW – FATHER’S DAY

Ahsan and Dom discuss the Club World Cup, the opening game against Wydad, and various other City-related bits.

THE WEEKEND SHOW

Howard, Lloyd and Bailey discuss the Club World Cup, City’s opening game, fixtures, club captains and more! A huge show as always.

NO HISTORY – KITS

In the next few days, we will be putting out this show on Soundcloud, free for all. Howard and Joe take a look at City’s kit history, from good to very bad.

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

And as always - please support the podcast wherever you can. Have a great weekend.