THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 84

Author

Howard Hockin
February 06, 2026

Hello, and welcome to Issue 84 of the 93:20 Newsletter. City back at Wembley, empty seats talk, weather crap – it’s just your average week, basically.

Remember, you can help me sustain this newsletter by making a donation, if that’s agreeable to you. Do not worry, if not. And it may allow me to do more football-centric bonus newsletters – and the return of fake WhatsApp chats at United of course!

Lots of random topics to fly through, so let’s crack on.

Pep speaking out on human rights issues

Pep has had a lot to say recently, and naturally that has led to a reaction. Don’t worry, I’m not about to put forward any geopolitics opinions, this is not the place. But whenever Pep speaks out, or sports a yellow ribbon, there is an inevitable reaction from some that he is a hypocrite for doing so.

Is the preferable alternative that he never speaks out? That seems to be the argument – that unless you condemn ALL bad things, including what your owner may or may not be up to, then you should not say anything. Well it’s an opinion I guess, and an easy “in” for those always eager to criticise Pep. That aside, I hope he is candid with Sheikh Mansour and Khaldoon Al Mubarak to be honest when he chats. There’s no harm in that. But that’s his look out, and a private matter. When Pep speaks, people listen, and it is rare that a manager has used that to such effect, and the basic points were impossible to argue against. If you think otherwise, then well done, you’ve exposed your own bias and hypocrisy.

Oh, and just in case you were not aware of this fact – we’re all hypocrites at one time or another. Many of us even excel at it.

Naturally, some have taken his feisty and open nature recently as a sign he is letting loose as the end is near. The amateur psychologists are out in force again. Reminds me of the internet medical experts who can diagnose an injury every time a City player limps off.
“Yeah, he’s done his ACL by the looks of things.”
Thanks.For.That.

 It’s A Game Of Two Halves

The chasm between City’s 1st and 2nd halves is truly baffling. They are always from a point of winning, so perhaps Sunday will show how much relevance that has, as there’s a fair chance this time City will not be ahead at the break. what is concerning is for me is Pep’s failure to react, or him not knowing how to, to opposition managers’ half-time changes. City’s press stops working when other managers adapt and change their team;s shape, and Pep seems powerless to combat it with his own changes. It is concerning.

We have to wonder what on earth is going on in the dressing room at half-time however. Well, wonder no more, as I have an EXCLUSIVE. A source has told me that the routine is as follows:

Pep Lijnders insists every player has a pint of mild as reward for a solid 1st half. The English players are also prone to a packet of pork scratchings and some Scampi Fries.

Once full, it is time for that week’s guest speaker. Not Eddie Large anymore, more’s the pity, but recently Keir Starmer popped in at half-time to rouse the troops.

There have also been fondue nights for midweek games, food challenges and cognac for senior players.

No wonder they're often late out for the 2nd half.

 Small Mercies

One of the greatest pluses of the last couple of years in modern football has been the waning of the Ronaldo v Messi debate, a debate that became more boring than an Arsenal v Chelsea semi-final 2nd leg match. They're still playing of course, but away from the spotlight, which has given us all something of a breather.

This week however, Ronaldo was back in the news, as he has had another strop. And this was a timely reminder that what is overlooked in the Messi v Ronaldo debate, is that the debate should never just be about football. On character, there can only be one winner, as this week showed, as Ronaldo's ego, still as sprightly as ever at the age of 40, came to the fore as more toys were thrown out of more prams. The poor thing has to watch his team show a lack of ambition, with only £500K A DAY to fall back on. Thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.

Rodri Needs To Keep His Mouth Shut

Sorry, what?!

We all secretly love watching a footballer letting rip in a post match press conference, the only time they are remotely interesting, in the same way we love a good scrap on the pitch. 
"Nobody wants to see that". Yes,we absolutely do, as long as it doesn't result in our star player picking up a three match suspension.

Emotions are still high after a match, and when Rodri spoke out against match officials earlier this week, he was simply saying what many City fans think. But it still didn't sit right with me, mainly because it makes him look like a bit of a d**k. Maybe he thinks it will lead to City getting better treatment in future, but that's highly unlikely. Referees and VAR are not deliberately picking on City, they're just not very good sometimes, and inconsistent. Rodri himself could easily have picked up an extra red card in recent weeks, so is hardly the ideal person to speak out. City have had some terrible decisions in recent times - in fact a penalty awarded on-pitch by the referee is virtually unheard of. I just don't think Rodri speaking out helps anyone, and makes him look arrogant, and he has form for his words (very occasionally) painting him that way. Look, I am no doubt overthinking matters. I doubt he cares what people think, and footballers live in a bubble. He is a Ballon d'Or winner, he's entitled to speak his mind. Moaning about referees is just pointless. Leave it to us professionals!

I can understand the frustration, however. Refereeing decisions are not an acceptable excuse for some of City’s 2nd half collapses, but such decisions have cost City points, and changed momentum in games. It’s been unacceptable.

A reminder to read articles before dissing then

EMPTY SEATS!

Yay!

I’m not going down that road again. Me and Lloyd said a few words on the Weekend Show.

Just one thing, though. When discussing attendances, one aspect is often overlooked – there is simply too much football. Not a problem for Manchester United fans this season of course, with 40 games easily manageable, but City may touch 60 games this season. You can be super-passionate about football, and your team, as many of us are, but a game every three/four days is just overkill. A relentless tsunami of football, and even the social aspect of attending games is tiring. My latest cholesterol readings are proof of that.

CHEATS NEVER PROSPER

News broke yesterday that Leicester City have been docked six points.

I’ll say it again – I really hate cheats, knocks me sick. Shame on them.

And Finally….

I’ve been trying to organise a 93:20 night out to raise morale, but seem to be experiencing a lack of enthusiasm for my suggestion on what to do. Am baffled.

Meet and greet tickets are available for £151.00, for the record. There’s plenty left, so no rush.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE REVIEW:- FADING

Howard and Ahsan carry out more bone-picking after another poor 2nd half. What is happening in the dressing room? A search for answers.

IT’S LB:- THE REVIEW

LB is joined by Ahsan to chat Newcastle and the wider issues around the side at present. A feisty pod!

THE CATCH UP:- EPISODE 2

Ste chatted to Ash from The Wednesday Week podcast about a terrible year for Sheffield Wednesday, and Thomas about the rise and rise of Wrexham.

THE WEEKEND SHOW:- ANFIELD RAP

Howard and Lloyd talk Ortega, youth, reaching Wembley once more, preview a huge match at Anfield, and 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!