THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 68

Author

Howard Hockin
October 24, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 68 of the 93:20 Newsletter

This newsletter is dedicated to Scott Carson, and with the news that he has retired. I'll be ranking his greatest City performances at the end of this newsletter. 

And it’s one I can find the time to do, because of the generosity of others who have donated. Thank you as always, it keeps me hopeful about humanity after all, at least for a few minutes until I go on Twitter.

You can donate via this link, and help the content keep flowing, and it’s really needed right now:

I'm not going to wade into the debate (too much) over the announcement over the new stand, and the accompanying news that some season ticket holders are being forced to relocate. I'm not of the concrete opinion that every fan should expect never to have to move, as they do not own the seat, they rent it (so I am told) but in this instance I understand the outrage. Firstly, it's never nice to have to move from what if essentially a home from home. There are ramifications being moved from where you sit, because it's also about who you sit with. Secondly, the forced move is for hospitality, as per usual, and I don't even have the energy to give my thoughts on more creeping corporate seating, especially when the new stand presented a once in a generation opportunity to improve the atmosphere. Add to that the fact that no notice was given to those unfortunate enough to lose their seats, and it's another example of a club detached from reality and the soul of the club, its fans. One step forward, two steps back, as shown by no normal season tickets being available. Why would the club do that, when they can make more money with flexi tickets instead? Expect another slice of legacy fans to decide that this is the last season for them as a regular match-goer. 

Good to see that Arne Slot has gone full Jurgen Klopp this week, though he hasn't yet blamed the length of the grass at opposition grounds, but give him time. All he needs is a wig and to tippex his teeth, and the transformation will be complete. Other clubs have been picking different players to what he expected, and not keeping the ball on the ground as he would prefer. Why are other teams making life difficult for him? It's just not fair! Nice of him to give Brentford a head's up for the weekend too on how his team struggles. 

Thing is, last season went rather smoothly for Slot. But it's when the chips are down and times are tough that you really learn about someone, and for Slot, the signs are not good. 

In this week’s edition of me moaning about people moaning, I’d like a shout out to those moaning over the resurgence of long throws - very weird. It's not illegal, never has been, never will be, so just accept it. It's a skill just like a good cross is. Yet here we are, led by Jamie Carragher, who by pure chance is frustrated by a tactic his side do not use.

We discussed this on the Hot Potatoes show, out this week, so check that out subscribers for further details. And, if long throws are a sign of football “regressing” and going back 20 years, isn’t that what everyone wanted? So many have pretended to despise what Pep Guardiola has done to football, so now you have your wishes granted. You should be ecstatic. Football changes, evolves, exists in cycles and is fluid. This is an old tactic back in vogue. It’s not a sign of anything, it’s not good news or bad news, it’s just a snapshot of the here and now. Such a strange thing to get worked up over.

Last week, I included in the newsletter the infrequent section where I list a few things I have been watching and listening to. I mentioned a great comedian Matt Bragg, but noted that he lumped Manchester City in with crap things about Dubai at the end of his routine.

It got me thinking old thoughts this week. I’m repeating myself, as I often do on this newsletter, but if seemingly intelligent people can’t work out where City’s owner(s) are from, or understand the concept of the UAE, then we are wasting our time trying to explain the 115 charges, whatever the final decision.

We’ve all seen or heard it before. City are owned by Dubai, Saudi or any other number of Middle Eastern states. All the same, after all, eh?

Some good news to report. As Paul Merson has proclaimed that City “aren’t all that”, which pretty much means City are nailed on for another Treble. Within minutes of his bombshell, bookies slashed City’s odds for all competitions. Still, considering how much money Merson has taken off the bookies down the years, perhaps we shouldn’t be so dismissive of his opinions so quickly, eh?

I know I am repeating myself AGAIN, but it remains one of life’s great mysteries how this man is employed and rewarded so richly for so little. And I am happy to reiterate this point on a weekly basis.

It feels like a recurring theme that I am speaking another tragic occurrence, and as always I have no words to add, but to say that another life has been taken far too young, and as football fans it is one of our worst fears, to go to a football game and never return.

R.I.P. blue.

Room 101

Last week, to help fill the international break, we did a non-football pod (kind of), when we put our pet hates into Room 101. I now realise that my long list at the end of what didn’t quite make the cut was still missing a few things. So here’s the rest of the list.

People who send WhatsApp messages one line at a time.
People who chose to stand in the audience for an episode of Top Gear. 
Yellow cars.
Revolving doors.
YouTube Ads
Piers Morgan.

AND FINALLY

With news that Scott Carson has announced his retirement, I would like to take a moment, time permitting, to rank Scott’s performances for City.

So, without further ado…

In 2nd place – substitute v Sporting Lisbon, March 2022 0-0 FT.
In 1st place, the 4-3 win at Newcastle in May 2021.

Legend.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- SWEET SUCCESS

Howard, Lloyd and Ahsan look back on the professional win against Everton, talk players, title races, Liverpool and more.

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- SEA OF GREEN

Ahsan and Lloyd look back on a satisfying win over Villareal in the Champions League. They discuss Pep’s tactics, the overall performance & some bright individual performances.

HOT POTATOES:- EPISODE 6

Howard and Ste tackle some hot topics, from the FIFA fiefdom, managerial pressure, Arteta and more.

THE WEEKEND SHOW:- REAL VILLA

Ben, Howard and Ahsan look back on the week that was, and preview a tricky trip to Villa Park on Sunday.

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!