THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 49

Author

Howard Hockin
July 18, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 49 of the 93:20 Newsletter. Loads to talk about as always, never a dull moment in the football sphere.

As for the 93:20 Newsletter Book – it will hopefully be out within two weeks!

So, the Club World Cup is over, and we can get back to normal football. Chelsea made £100m, so won’t have to sell themselves anything for a few months. A sigh of relief from the canteen staff.

Naturally, broad conclusions are being taken from a tournament that most thought was pointless before it began. It certainly is pointless in predicting the upcoming season, and let us not forget that prior to the final, PSG were the greatest team the world has ever seen in the eyes of some. By the end of the final, their manager was punching Chelsea players. Luis Enrique is the darling of world football right now, so the incident was almost immediately forgotten. Chelsea only had one true test in the tournament, and passed it with flying colours, and it didn’t tell us anything we should not already know. They will be a threat next season, because they have spent billions of pounds and have a lot of excellent players. They are an outlier in the odds, 4th favourites for the Premier League at 9/1, with City 3rd favourites. We wait to see how the schedule affects them, but they have a very kind fixture list in the opening month, and plenty of players to utilise. They have no excuse not to be competing for titles. That competition for the title looks fiercer than it has ever been – and if Pep does not win any titles in future, it will be deemed failure, but I would argue we are at a point where as blues we cannot naturally expect City to prevail. We do not have the advantage we once did, and that is the cyclical nature of football, and City are up against clubs who also have brilliant managers and huge resources. A title may be decided by little more than a key moment or a key injury. It also reminds me how weak the argument the likes of Delaney trumpeted about City making football anti-competitive. City’s domination was never going to last forever. It never does, not in the English game.

As for Chelsea, they are officially the best team in the land and all the world, despite in the last 3 seasons finishing 12th , 6th and 4th . Infantino said the competition was necessary to tell us the best team in the world, and it turned out that said team was one who haven't won their domestic league in 8 years. That’s the nature of cup competitions, and there is no true way to ascertain definitively the best team in the world. You would need a global Super League for that, and I’d rather that never happened, thank you very much.

And so to the “Americanization” of the tournament. Is it a z or an s? Was it a thing, really? Does it matter?

I appreciate that 50% of those reading this are probably from the US, so relax, this is not some lazy stereotyping that is about to hit these pages. Though it has to be said, your cheese sucks. With that out of the way, I will say that a 24-minute half-time break in a football match is unacceptable, wherever the match is. The introduction of players was an embarrassment. It would be easy to suggest that this was a result of “when in Rome”, adapting the tournament to local sensibilities. But I can say with confidence that all these gimmicks would have taken place wherever the tournament was held. It’s the sort of stuff that will creep into the game, but I will not lose any sleep until it affects the domestic game. Having said that, we’re already looking at half-time player interviews and more, so buckle up. When will those who run the game realise no one cares? Player interviews post-match are boring enough anyway, 99% of players media-trained to the point that all personality has been sucked out of them, and half-time chats will be even worse, as shown by the Tosin interview at the Club World Cup, his longest answer approximately four words.
I debated the player introductions on a pod with Ahsan a few weeks ago. He was not arsed about it all, I was, especially when it is delaying kick-offs further. If something is crap, I will say so. Introducing players individually is crap. Bringing a music interlude to any football match is crap. Half-time interviews are crap. Sucking up to a [post removed for legal reasons] is not a great look either.

Oasis and Pep

My main concern over my club’s manager is how good he is at managing. How many games we win, that sort of thing. But once you have considered that, there are other things that can make a difference to how you feel about the man in charge, who is essentially a figurehead for your club. It’s not that important – United fans were not too bothered that Alex Ferguson wasn’t a bundle of joy when he was winning stuff, as is fair. And there have been times during Pep’s reign when I have had the odd doubt over his connection to the club. Berating atmospheres, fawning over Barcelona, not calling it a BARM.

But hey, not only has he integrated into Manchester life more than I could ever have believed, he is, to a ridiculous level, uber cool. Turning up to an Oasis gig in a retro City top takes cojones, and it was bound to resonate.

Now, it will surprise no one that knows me that I couldn't care less about coolness, as I have been ably demonstrating for 51 years and counting.  What’s more, I realise much of the previous 48 newsletters have been me frustrated, whinging about stuff, as is my way. So I'm going to celebrate this coolness. 

Let’s cut to the chase by repeating myself. Our manager is fucking cool. Events like this, and the obvious Oasis ties to City, mean the football club right now is fucking cool. The club was front and centre during the biggest band reunion of our lifetimes. The swearing is thus justified. Many of the players are outright cool too. Embrace it, because everyone outside the club despises this fact. It's really got to them, hasn't it? United fans hated it. When they were successful, naturally that brought with it being cooler too. A perk of being bigger AND better. And boy has the last week triggered the precious souls.

Their latest desperate angle was that Pep wouldn't even know who City were if they hadn't been taken over. The man who almost played for City under Stuart Pearce, but managed to dodge that particular bullet. United fans are seriously trying to suggest that Pep would not be aware of a Premier League team with a rich history. Laughable, but the act of desperation we have come to suggest. City – hated, adored, never ignored. Unlike their quiet neighbours in recent times.

You've got to wonder if Pep threw the Club World Cup so he could go to Heaton Park. Couldn't blame him to be honest. 

Jack Grealish was at the gig too, obviously.  Jack Grealish saying nice things whilst clearly having had a drink will only endear him even more to many blues (me included) off the pitch and do nothing to improve his chances on it. It just makes it all the more frustrating that we never saw him kick on after the Treble season. Unless he is impossible to sell, we're past the point of him getting to prove himself on the pitch. And even if he stays another season, that point probably remains. 

As is my want, a completely random thought to consider – well, more one that follows on from the previous newsletter.

In simple terms, it is this - scapegoating Ederson reduces the chances of his form improving. He knows about the criticism, his wife certainly does, and there is clear evidence that he has felt undervalued in the past, as shown by how he reacted to the crucial Ortega same from Son. 

Look, none of us can prevent the online abuse, and footballers live in a world where sadly it's probably best to avoid social media, however good form may be. He also deserves some criticism. But for those at matches, there is a role to play in helping players. So, show your support. He's here for another season, so whinging about it once the season begins solves nothing. 

If he still ends up leaving, as the latest rumours grow, forget everything I just said.

Match of the Day

To a topic that will periodically capture the zeitgeist despite not being remotely important in the scheme of things, and news reached us all recently that Wayne Rooney has snagged an £800K “deal” to appear on the programme.

Now, take away the usual Rag bias that will have some blues frothing at the mouth, incapable of accepting he could possibly provide good analysis, because on the rare occasion I have heard his punditry, he has spoken well and impartially. It may well be a good hire. 

It's the £800k wage I don't get. I'm not coming from it from the angle of my license fee being wasted, though I guess it is, because my main point is this - Match of the Day's main function is to provide highlights of the day's games. Is that not the primary reason people tune in? Personally, I watch the next day, and pick out the games of interest. I don't watch any analysis. That's not to say therefore no one does, and it is not of merit, but does the studio section of the show really require so much money thrown at it? Pay peanuts for a presenter and guests, I doubt the ratings would drop much, as long as it continues to show the matches. Seems a waste of money to me. Did Rooney demand that much? If so, offer him half, and say take it out leave it. There's plenty more who would take it. 

The BBC is under huge pressure financially in a changing world, where streaming is often king. As I said, I am not being personal in my criticism here, or judging the quality of the product, I just am baffled why so much money would be thrown at this. A flagship programme for sure, but they are not fighting for advertisers, and would do well to remember the star of the show has always been, and always will be, the football itself.

As sure as night follows day, Manchester City have been dragged into the controversy over Crystal Palace being kicked out of the Europa League. Because there is always a City angle when someone else is “wronged”. To recap, City played by the rules (as always, ahem), and resolved an issue, whilst Crystal Palace messed up. Now don’t get me wrong, this is totally unfair on Palace fans, and I hope they win their appeal, as it really is an issue over paperwork, that really does not require such a punishment. Yes, rules are rules blah blah, but come on. Though if they are so intent on justice, they would also accept that they should have played the majority of the FA Cup final with 10 men, and probably wouldn’t be in Europe at all as a result. The furore over the UEFA decision naturally has led to Palace fans hitting out and dragging other owners and clubs into the argument – but then Forest’s owner (ex-owner?) hardly helps himself. Natural for fans to lash out, I am sure we would be the same. But I rather lose sympathy when the “what about City?” argument is dragged out once more. A five-second Google search would answer that for you. Bore off. 

Even when there is no football, City know how to antagonise, and this week was no different. A billion pound deal with Puma was perfect fodder for the frothing masses. Great stuff. Naturally there was more suspicion at how City could secure such a deal, because no doubt Puma were forced at gunpoint to sign on the dotted line. The problem with relentlessly calling City a small club is that it does not project into real life, and every example of City being a big deal (and thus having big deals) makes the cynics look that little bit more pathetic with their utterances. If United can be a big deal after twelve years of abject failure, then City can certainly be one after a single disappointing season. They are marketable as hell right now, and Puma recognise that. Lickle old City, who Pep once didn’t know existed, and who taxi drivers in Barcelona still haven’t heard off, have just signed a £1bn kit deal. Time for others to wake up and recognise what City are now, and recognise that it will not change any time soon, whatever happens in dusty rooms with lawyers. Speaking of which…

Exclusive time – and it relates to what I've heard about the City charges. Don't claim to be ITK, so don't shoot the messenger. 

City have got off all charges, apart from non-cooperation, failure to enter the pitch on 347 separate occasions, and an additional charge for next season's 3rd kit. 

The Premier League offered a three-point penalty. City are willing to accept the punishment, but only if the following conditions are met:

Richard Masters has a City crest tattooed onto his forehead, Arsenal change their home kit to blue, and Liverpool release an official statement stating that they think City are ace, and would never cheat.

As I said, just what I have heard, been collaborated by a rich guy off Bluevibe forum.

Woke up this morning feeling a bit down. Then I realised that Manchester United will be in the 2nd round draw of the Carabao Cup.
I wonder – if they had been in the 1st round draw, would they have been in the Northern or Southern section of the draw?

Anyway, I am off to Old Trafford to donate blood (big up the B- massive), and laugh at the ground, have a great weekend everyone.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE LATE SHOW

Ste and Howard look back at all of City’s late goal under Pep Guardiola – and the odd one before it too, and pick out their favourites.

FROM THE ARCHIVES – ICONIC SCORELINES

Released on Soundcloud for all - Howard, Ste and Lloyd pick out a City match (or five) for every possible scoreline. Buckle up!

SQUAD COMPARISON

Ste, Howard and Lloyd compare the squads of all the title contenders next season. Who is strongest as the start rapidly approaches?

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!