THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 96

Hello, and welcome to Issue 96 of the 93:20 Newsletter, with another big few days on the horizon. Sun is out, shorts are on, so let’s do this.

Remember, you can help me sustain this newsletter by making a donation, if that’s agreeable to you. And if it is not, read on – but every donation, however small, helps me keep going.

https://donorbox.org/embed/newsletter-donations-805652

Lots of random stuff to discuss this week.

There was no emotion from me with the official news that John Stones would be leaving the club this summer - namely because I knew it was happening anyway. The video that accompanied the news however raised the pollen count to new levels, didn’t really prepare myself properly for that. It's the natural consequence of phenomenal success, but do I really have to go through this semi-grieving process every summer?! It doesn't get any easier. The brittle nature of Stones' body perhaps makes this one slightly easier, as I have become accustomed to his absence, like a long-distant relationship. But in one respect it's as hard a goodbye as any other, as when fit, Stones was as good as any defender I have seen in a blue shirt. And like a few others, he wove himself into legendary status during the treble season and its Istanbul denouement. A giant. We will of course dedicate a podcast to him at season-end. His goal-line clearance v Liverpool deserves a show of its own. 

These painful goodbyes are down to a lot more than good players wanting to remain at a successful club. They are testament to the support behind the scenes that have made so many players feel so welcome and so at home at the club, players from across the globe. John Stones is just one of many. And as always, we can now playfully debate whether he deserves a lifelong season ticket, a mosaic or a statue. 

As football fans, we tend to root for the underdog, so it will be of little surprise that I am team Hearts for the Scottish Premier League title race, though ultimately I feel they will fall short. Unlike many blues, I have no allegiance to Celtic or Rangers and am always happy to see them fail due to petty grudges and sectarianism.

Anyway, I thought I would check in on their game v Hibs last weekend as they struggled to break down the home team's nine men. Finally, with time running out, they made the breakthrough - cue some amazing limbs in the away end. And then there was a rare, rare moment that stopped me in my tracks. A man and woman hugged, what appeared to be mother and son.

Her face. All the emotions, but stood still. Shock, joy, almost weeping, a face that told a story, of a momentous moment. The sort of moment all football fans hope for, at least once in their life. That moment was the most beautiful thing I had seen this season, not even Rayan Cherki could match it. Football's amazing, isn't it?*

*This opinion is subject to change in the coming weeks

Another week of pitiful faux outrage online from the internet’s most rancid online fanbase. It is of course, perfectly normal for City to request fixture changes, for fixtures we should remember had not yet been allocated. PSG get title-deciding fixtures postponed, other big clubs regularly get games moved, as their football federations understand the importance of them representing the country in European football, and want them to do well. I don’t fully support these changes, but I understand the reasoning. This is a domestic matter, but to not have some understanding from those that run the game is pitiful, and feels like a grudge – can’t think why.

I’m not angry – I’m just so tired of it all. Someone has given Ollie Holt some crayons again.

For the record, Gray has started half of spurs’ games this season.

The usual group of sore losers came out to belittle City after Southampton lost the semi-final, though as always it's a tiny representation of the fanbase. More pertinent for Southampton fans is their club hiring Matt Le Tissier as an adviser, a man who spent one late night last week arguing with X's AI Assistant Grok over chemtrails.

Southampton haven't sold out a league game all season, and got 17000 for their FA Cup game v Leicester. I only mention this as I had to laugh at one Saints fan' s excuse for the low attendance on X, namely that it was Valentine's Night.

PSG v Bayern was the classic I had hoped for, but never expected. It delivered on every front, no arguments, and it was nice to see two teams and their managers believe in their own strengths and not compromise. Nevertheless, PSG and Bayern Munich have the freedom to play that way, competing in leagues where they have far greater resources than any other team, and where a league title is close to guaranteed, or certainly should be, playing every week against teams who don’t believe in low blocks or spoiling tactics. Imagine how more interesting City games would be if the opposition always came out to play. I fully understand why they don’t.
Bayern Munich have scored 113 goals in 31 league games. They have a goal difference of +81. Their average game saw a victory by more than a 2.5 goal margin. Do you think City would be praised if they produced a league campaign like that? I wonder what followers of the Premier League actually want it to look like? The narrative pedalled repeatedly in recent years that the Premier League title race is anti-competitive is a myth, a lie. City won four successive titles not because of anti-competitiveness and their resources alone, but because of a generational manager. Unlike in other leagues, the Premier League winners rarely get to cruise over the line and put their eggs in other baskets at the business end of the season. Many of City’s title wins have seen the finest of lines, as John Stones can attest, and the number of titles could easily have been a few shorter if circumstances had decided so.

Is there too much at stake in the Premier League? Stakes that mean results are more important than entertainment? The riches that the Premier League offers means that it is imperative to remain in the league, or get that European spot, riches that means every league position is worth additional millions of pounds. The level of coaching that has been attracted to the league has seen the gap between obscenely wealthy and wealthy clubs narrow, but the uneven playing field that has always existed since 1992 has led to the underdogs understandably not rocking up to Old Trafford, Anfield or the Etihad to be thrashed in the name of entertainment.

Just enjoy the football, accept the sport moves in cycles, and everything will have changed again in a few months. I’m not here to criticise. You can shape arguments however you wish. When PSG self-combusted every year in the Champions League, the lack of competition in their domestic league was often parroted as a major reason. Now it’s being used as a reason for their relative dominance in the competition recently. Nuance, as always.

FINAL THOUGHT

As suspected, City will only be offering flexi season tickets next season, a complete cop out, to counter the good news over pricing. Some fans have already been switched to them for lack of attendance this season. So, it seems the only way to obtain a normal season ticket at City is to play 300+ games for the club and win multiple trophies.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE 93:20 REVIEW – LONDON CALLING

Howard and Dom look pick the bones out of the victory over Southampton, talking familiarity, Pep madness, failed auditions, difference makers and a whole lot more.

THE MARKET SHOW:- EPISODE 55

Lloyd and Tom discuss potential outgoings, reflect on John Stones’ City career and legacy, plus talk through the latest transfer rumours and answer listener questions.

OPPOSITION FAN – EVERTON

Howard caught up with Everton fan Andy Smith to talk all things Everton. A new stadium, a solid season, and a brighter future?

THE WEEKEND SHOW – HEART OF STONE

Another packed show, looking back at the week that was. Talking John Stones, Arsenal, the Champions League and previewing Monday night’s huge game.