THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 93

Author

Howard Hockin
April 10, 2026

Hello, and welcome to Issue 93 of the 93:20 Newsletter, the issue that has burnt its forehead after two days of better weather in Manchester. Don’t worry, it’s cloudy again now. Got plenty to chat about as always.

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On with the football chat.

It’s nice to feel good about your football team, isn’t it? Stating the blindingly obvious, but it’s hard to quantify how the last two results that bookended a tedious international break have improved my general mood. I made a commitment a couple of years ago to not let football shape my mood so much, and yet here we are. And whatever happens over the rest of the season, it was nice to be reminded what it feels like, similar to that first blast of warm sunshine hitting your face over recent weeks. Both won’t last, but the moments are worth it.

And following the Salford City match, one of the most unfulfilling matches I have ever attended, a tough tie for City proved to be a huge plus. What a joy that 90 minutes was (or the last hour, at least), as City tick off another season of not losing an FA Cup match outside Wembley since 2018, when Will Greig was on fire, and Fabian Delph most definitely was not.

Also - a reminder that since City’s “rivalry” with Liverpool began a good few years ago, and with the acceptance that they have easily been City’s toughest opponents across that period, City have still managed to beat their rivals 5-0, 4-0 twice, 4-1 twice, and 3-0, all preceded by a Cup final victory. So not bad, really.

Recent form has almost proved what I long suspected. Namely, that City were moving in the right direction, with the hope that they start next season as a real contender again. That should be the expectation for everyone at the club. Perhaps Pep has found a formula of sorts over the past month, bit the team is far from complete, and as I watched Bayern Munich triumph in Madrid this week, I think the exit of City may ultimately have been a blessing. 

The problem with legends leaving every summer is that City have to invest well just to stand still. Some old-timers will leave with little effect as they have struggled to contribute in recent times anyway. Stones, Ake and Kovacic leaving would not set the team back, despite the brilliance they once displayed. Well, Stones and Ake at least. 

Bernardo will be harder to replace, and with him leaving, it is even more imperative that Rodri remains for at least one season. Either way, I expect to go into next season with confidence. As for this season, a double cup win would be a good season (have City ever done it before?). I don't share the confidence of others that a league title could still be won. I think that race is run, average as Arsenal often are. I guess this weekend will help answer that question. 

Supporters Trust

You may or may not have seen this week the launch of the Manchester City Supporters Trust – a.k.a The Citizens Trust. I spoke to co-founders Nick Clarke and Alex Howell last week, the link to which is at the bottom. They and others have put in a staggering amount of work, all in their own time, to make the Trust a reality, and they will continue to make sacrifices to make the Trust a success. It exists to represent all fans, so support it. And if you can afford the slight membership fee, all the better. Get involved where you can.

The Trust can be found on X as @MCFCtrust, and the website is https://thecitizenstrust.org/

And credit to Liverpool’s Union too, spirit of Shankly, who continue to fight for fans and are planning huge protests over their club’s latest price rises for next season. I saw someone on a message board say “it pains me to say it, but” when talking about the work of the Spirit of Shankly. It shouldn’t pain any blue. It’s essential that tribalism is ignored when fans need to work together for their own betterment and self-protection. It is our sport, we share the passion and the same objectives. We are no different, apart from the accents, and perhaps the odd other thing or two. You get the idea, though. And such support from other Trusts and supporters groups will be welcomed and helpful when our club inevitably announces season ticket price rises some time soon.

GIVE & TAKE

So, it seems the James Trafford discourse has reached the Julian Alvarez stage of the debate, with the increasing feeling that he will leave the club this summer. It has been the most divisive discourse I have seen in recent times.

The obvious solution is that he remains, but I can understand why he would not be prepared to be a back-up goalkeeper. It does not need explaining. Some of the arguments on both sides have been rather disingenuous in my opinion, cherry-picking at his finest. The bottom line is that Donnarumma, baring an unlikely fall-off of form, will be City’s Number 1 goalkeeper for as long as he is at the club, whether you like it or not. What is also true is that when James Trafford has played, he has performed to the same level as Donnarumma. But that does not mean he is as good, or will consistently match him. Personally, I think he may, but we are using a small sample size in cup competitions to assess him, and that’s not enough. On the flips ide, a nerve-wracked debut is not evidence either, in the same way Khusanov’s debut is not either.

Ultimately, City need to know Donnarumma is happy to stay at City for at least five years, if that means letting go a home-grown academy keeper who clearly has the potential to fill that spot for a decade. The club will know the answer better than us, with little to suggest he would not be happy to do so. The club won’t be swayed by throw-away comments from his agent and skew what he said as some blues are all too happy to do. Not that any team in Italy could afford his wages anyway. He will no doubt return to Italy one day, but there’s little reason to suggest that is any time soon. He has no history of agitating for moves, and it was Luis Enrique who ended his PSG reign, not the player himself. 

Thankfully, Trafford has not wasted this year. In fact, his reputation appears to have been enhanced as a back-up. When he first expressed his frustrations post-match his season was looking rather barren. Now, he could get possibly go on to win two trophies (compared to Donnarumma effectively winning none).

I have no problem with the current hierarchy. I understand that Trafford deserves to play football at a high-level week-in, week-out, so may have to leave. What I don't understand is any blue being blasé about it. We have England's future number 1 at our club, and he's a blue. Watching him leave without emotion seems alien to me. But that does not mean I think he should oust Donnarumma either. Sometimes, difficult choices have to be made. This will be one of them. And like with Julian Alvarez, I'll take no joy from it. At least that was a move that suited all parties. I'm not sure h ow Trafford leaving suits City - not just because of his potential, and his connection to the club, but by definition, if we assume he's too good to be a Number 2, then his replacement will be inferior. How does that suit City? City tried to make Alvarez work in other positions, and it failed, but I can’t see James Trafford popping up as left-back any time soon. Though this is Pep we’re talking about, so don’t totally rule it out.

A loan deal seems on the surface like a compromise of sorts for those concerned at losing Trafford, but in reality it is unworkable. It would require sourcing an inferior back-up who would know he was a stop-gap. And that inferior back-up may suddenly be called upon to play for months.

So after all those words, I have no solution to the situation. It ends for me personally with regret. He’ll do brilliantly somewhere else, and that will hurt. To reiterate, a player going on to do well after leaving City, which is rare, is not proof that City made a mistake. You can regret a necessary decision. There are, after all, limited spaces in a football team, none more so when discussing goalkeepers. Let’s be honest though, if a player leaves your club, and you have doubts about whether it was a wise decision, you secretly want them to fail at their next club. So every wonderful free kick, sublime finish or good performance from the likes of Julian Alvarez can feel like a kick in the guts, though he is impossible to dislike. As it happens, some Atletico fans have not been happy with Alvarez this season. He has 8 league goals, and they're have been plenty of rumours of him leaving, though he has sparkled in the Champions League.

And note that PSG bought in Lucas Chevalier, the great young hope, to replace Donnarumma, and he’s been dropped due to poor performances. Not sure what point I am making, but worth reiterating that City have Donnarumma, as a fully-established keeper who has been there, done it and bought the T-shirt, a keeper many PSG fans would have back in a heartbeat. To cut to the chase, in the same way City obviously weren’t going to sell Erling Haaland to help accommodate Julian Alvarez, they likewise won’t sell Gianluigi Donnarumma to accommodate James Trafford. It’s the easier decision – if Donnarumma’s form fell off a cliff next season, no one would sanely blame City’s recruitment for that. But if the path was cleared for James Trafford and he did not replicate his recent form once installed as Number 1, then questions would be asked. Ultimately, whilst it’s obvious how this all plays out, it’s nuanced when discussing the merits of both players. Donnarumma is one of the world’s best shot-stoppers, but modern goalkeepers need to have more than that – certainly under Pep. City won it all with a keeper who wasn’t particularly good at it. Trafford is quite simply superior in other aspects, I don’t need any sample size to know that, and Donnarumma has areas of his game to work on, though is perhaps at an age where what you see is what you will always get. There’s always give and take with a keeper, they are never perfect, as we saw with Ederson, who occasionally had to fight for his place. Some of the pro-Trafford camp are swayed by sentiment, but there is evidence to back it up. I retain a slim hope that a double cup triumph would be enough to keep Trafford at City for at least one more year, but I doubt it.

So, in conclusion - what a shame.

AND FINALLY

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

IT’S ALL IN THE APP

THE 93:20 REVIEW - MOMENTUM

Ahsan is joined by Adam for a comprehensive review of City’s win over Liverpool. They discuss tactics, individuals, and all the major talking points.

THE MARKET SHOW:- EPISODE 52

Ahsan and Lloyd talk transfers. Rodri extension incoming, Bernardo leaving, a new attacker plus midfield options!

THE KNOCK OUTS:- EPISODE 3

Ahsan and Lloyd look back on last night’s champions league action. Are Bayern favourites or can Madrid cause an upset in Munich next week? Are Arsenal running out of steam? Plus they preview tonight’s ties.

THE CITIZENS SUPPORTERS TRUST

Howard chatted to Nick Clarke and Alex Howell last week, about the launch of the Manchester City Supporters Trust on Tuesday. Why it has been set up, its goals, how all blues can be involved and more. A must-listen.

Free to listen, for all.

THE WEEKEND SHOW

Another free show, as always!
Ahsan, Dom and Ste look back at the thrashing of Liverpool, preview a pivotal match at Stamford Bridge, and more!