THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 75

Author

Howard Hockin
December 04, 2025

Hello, and welcome to Issue 75 of the 93:20 Newsletter – mostly a thank you letter to Phil Foden.

As always, thanks for those that have supported me - you can donate via this link, and help the content keep flowing – every December seems more expensive than the previous one.  I know it’s not the best time to ask.

Xmas is almost here, so do please do check out my books on Amazon. Twelfth Man and the book of Newsletter articles are the best content I’ve ever scribed, so do give them a go, and remember – the Newsletters book is not a season review, but a look at the world of football, so don’t be put off. You’ve probably worked that out already, if you subscribe, but it’s nice to dip in to a rant in book form, be it sat on a toilet, bored in a departure lounge or squashed on a tram.

Let’s crack on.

So, as mentioned, it’s time to give thanks – I don’t feel I do that enough for the players that have brought me so much happiness. Doubt they’re reading this newsletter anyway to be honest. And last weekend, I had one player to thank more than any, as we all did. But there was an extra reason for me.

For long-suffering blues, we all know the saying, repeated a thousand times – “was a good day out, apart from the football”.  I grew up clinging to that phrase, a comfort blanket as I tried to cope with failure and failed to cope, many a Saturday evening spent sulking at a defeat that was wholly expected. Nowadays, the effect of failure is just as large, though less frequent. It still hits though, especially when it comes out of the blue and has you scratching your head in astonishment.

And so to last weekend, when something very unexpected and out of the blue almost happened. And the timing could not have been much worse. I’ve had league titles essentially decided on my birthday, along with Champions League semi-finals (three), but at the weekend, there was a different reason for me to need City to deliver, and it had nothing to do with football. Please indulge me in a rare moment of emotion and non-football-related soppiness.

The previous night, I got to see Wolf Alice at the AO Arena, without doubt my favourite current band, as they should be yours. As it turned out, it was one of the best gigs I have ever been to. I think of what could compete. James, my first gig after Covid lockdown, was seminal, a playlist that felt designed specifically for me (never a given with James), even if I had to walk home from Trafford Bar as the trams were down and my phone battery had died. Arcade Fire at the AO Arena, playing in a boxing ring in the centre of the floor. James at the Albert Hall, Max Richter at the Bridgewater Hall last year. Old Prodigy gigs, a Peter Kay charity gig just before City lost the Community Shield to Leicester City. Early Doors at the Lowry, Bill Bailey a good few times and a young Lee Mack.

I’ve been blown away by many gigs, but rarely have I felt emotional, and I did on Friday, which surprised me. I’ve followed the band since the start, and to hear music so good played so well live, with production levels to match, and Ellie Rowsell herself overcome by the end at playing an arena, their first UK gig of the tour, was everything. An evolution, and it felt like the end of a journey, and the start of a new one, with a major record label in tow. The band deserve it all, and it was a privilege to witness it. The new album came alive and it was just – perfect.
I didn’t expect to feel emotional, I simply expected a good gig. To be honest, I wasn’t really in the mood to go out. But about thirty minutes in, I realised I was watching something special.

So what? This is a football newsletter, and I am useless at writing music reviews.
Well, if City had failed to beat a quite terrible Leeds side, especially one we were cruising at home to, I would have woken up on Sunday morning with no thoughts about one of the best gigs of my life, but instead that familiar feeling in your stomach, one of dread for something that had already happened, that all sports fans know well waking up the morning after a poor performance. It sits in your soul, and I will never get used to it. I dread to think how the podcast would have played out, perhaps 90 minutes of funeral music and W.H. Auden poems. Or a podcast as long as Pep’s press conference on Monday, a solid three minutes or so. Football continues to control my mood far more than it should, so a late winner is always a godsend, irrespective of performance levels.

So thank you Phil Foden for rescuing the weekend. For letting me reminisce about the gig. I owe you big time.

Whilst we’re at it, I may as well thank Phil for Tuesday night as well. I’m too old for all of this. I would rather have been watching Hans Zimmer at the Coop Arena than the stress of that second half, though I imagine receiving score updates whilst at a gig would have been even more distressing.

Either way, Phil is back to his best. The Arsenal fanbase love to diminish his output, as they are so welded to Saka being superior. I love Saka, so feel no need to pile in, but was astonished to note that his league assist last weekend was his first in precisely a year. Make of that what you will. Meanwhile, Phil Foden has scored four goals in a four-day period, and kept City’s league season alive. Still shit at corners though – and in the process, scored as many Premier League goals in his last two games as in the previous 22.

Lucas Paqueta

Have you ever seen a player try and get himself sent off more than Paqueta at the weekend? Cue the obvious jokes. He later apologised, and attributed his hissy fit to the strain he has been under following two years of investigations over alleged betting irregularities.

I am sensitive to the burden this has put on him, effectively ruining a big move to City and affecting his performances ever since, seriously curtailing his career trajectory and legacy. Nevertheless, I do not think he can hide behind his troubles when excusing how he behaved at the weekend. It was unacceptable to be honest, and killed off any chance of his side getting a result. Whatever he has been through, he is capable of shutting up, and must have been aware of the consequences. What’s more, it all started after an innocuous refereeing decision, not some huge moment of controversy. Quite simply, he let his team down. I’m glad he never turned up at City either – I’ll never be convinced he is quite of the standard required.

Or maybe – I don’t know what is going on in his head, and I should not judge. But if I was a West Ham fan, I’d struggle to find much sympathy for his actions.

Classic sitting on the fence there.

FIFA

It will come as no surprise that the World Cup, (mostly) in America, essentially run by Donald Trump, is shaping into exactly what we thought it would. Like most things in the world nowadays, I just have to let it all wash over me, or else I would probably be balder than Pep. At the draw on Friday, Donald Trump will be awarded a peace prize, so let’s just hope he can stay awake, as he scuttles off to bomb another country. I had to laugh at Rio Ferdinand refusing to commit to criticising the pricing at the World Cup when asked, a man who just happens to be involved in the draw. He called himself a man of the people, because which of us has not emigrated to Dubai to avoid tax. I know I have.

As Lloyd will attest with England, the cost goes far beyond the ticket price for the game(s) at the finals. Before that there is a long process of attending games and time dedicated to following the team just to be in a position to get tickets, as we all know. Many of us have been to games we don't really want to, because it's the only way to get a ticket should the team go all the way. Many clubs have essentially forced fans to attend cup games if they want to attend future fixtures. Fans give up everything to follow their team, at club and national level. Rio Ferdinand wouldn't have a clue about that. And that's fine, if he kept his mouth shut, I wouldn't expect him to. But to portray himself as being at one with the common man (and woman) is patronising and offensive, especially as he is clearly compromised by his official duties. 

It's nothing new. We've all seen the moral guardians of the game change their tune when the dollars are sent their way, from Jürgen Klopp to Arsene Wenger and even Lionel Messi himself, who isn't short of a bob or two. Guess we should be used to it by now. There are desperately few people with power in the game willing to stand up for fans, as it is probably bad for their career.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

OPPOSITION FAN:- FULHAM

Howard caught up with Ste McGovern, to talk fandom, a good weekend, Fulham, Silva and more. Well worth a listen even after the match.

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- LIFE SAVER

Howard, Lloyd and Ahsan look back on the weirdest of Saturday afternoons. What, why and how, ramifications, Fulham, title races and more.

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- PALPITATIONS

Ahsan and Lloyd try and make sense of last night’s mad game. Beware the faint of heart, this may not be the podcast for you!

THE WEEKEND SHOW:- BLACK CATS

The usual bumper show, as Ste, Howard and George look back at a nervy week, and another tough weekend match.

THE MARKET:- EPISODE 47

Ahsan and Lloyd take a deep-dive as the popular show returns. From Semenyo, Anderson and other potential targets, to potential exits, squad needs and much, much more.

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!