THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 97

Hello, and welcome to Issue 97 of the 93:20 Newsletter, and there is no slow down in the stress that football provides at this time of year. City semi-ruined another birthday for me, but I’m used to it by now. We used to get relegated on my birthday, so I should be thankful.

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The usual mixed bag to discuss this week, in a shorter edition.

Normally this newsletter is cursed with timing, a topic I discuss becoming outdated within hours as further news emerges just after I press the submit button. But last week, like a stopped clock, I got something timed just right. When commenting on a decade of John Stones (and others), I noted the importance of support that is provided to all players (and Pep), a factor rarely mentioned. John Stones, Pep, Sergio, Erling and many more do not commit to play at Manchester City for many years just because they think they will win multiple trophies. They do so because they feel settled, supported and “at home”. And last week, Aymeric Laporte talked of his regret at leaving, because only after he had departed did he realise how special and far from the norm that support had been. Pep then said very similar over the weekend. There is a team of unsung heroes who have contributed to City’s success, but whose names you will almost certainly not know.

The uncertainty over Pep’s future has reached fever pitch, and the rumours seem far more genuine than previously. Many blues got the “I know a guy at the club who has said…” message stating that Pep is leaving in the summer, Enzo Maresca is a done deal and the North Stand would be named after the departing manager. If true (and it may not be), the timing baffles me as much as ever, when he is looking relaxed and has a year left on his current contract- and he has never previously broken a contract. It was always my assumption that his decision to leave would be made mid-season, and would be known, not done in the shadows, with City having someone on standby whilst he decided whether to stay or go. What other factors are we missing here? Time to take a national role post-World Cup? It’s all I think of, though far more likely is that Pep will follow the City job with a sabbatical.

The news that Pep’s successor would be Enzo Maresca has been met with a lukewarm reaction, to put it mildly. It actually makes sense, but is also underwhelming at the same time. Where can you go from Pep? Well, for many blues, the only way to deal with the grief that will accompany the departure of the club’s greatest ever manager is to be bold, exciting, and go for razzmatazz. Not another Pep clone with a short CV that plays in a similar fashion. But that’s probably what is actually best for the team - Maresca clearly offers continuity, is tactically aware and seemed very popular with the Chelsea players – and any manager that leaves Chelsea relatively unscarred should be applauded, perhaps even knighted.

I wonder how much of the discontent at the prospect of Maresca is fuelled by the clique in the fanbase that felt Pep’s ways were now outdated, or at least that the team was ready for a new way. If so, continuity is that last thing they want. They want sexy PSG-type football, they have these ideals of what could play out on the pitch every week – sadly a pipe dream in the Premier League, with its different challenges and constraints. Some fans – and I get it – want to use the change of manager as an opportunity for a new type of football, risky as that may be. But ultimately, those that run the club and make such decisions will not be thinking that way – they will want the man that best continues Pep’s legacy. Ultimately, we will have to suffer as succeeding Pep is a poisoned chalice – and considering how United crumbled after Alex Ferguson left, I can understand the desire for seeking continuity. Perhaps Maresca, should he end up at City, is the Pellegrini that bridges the gap between Pep and someone like Vinny. Perhaps if Arsenal win the league the poisoned chalice is lessened, following on from two “underwhelming” seasons.

As an aside, if you do not subscribe to the 93:20 Player, now would be a great time to do so. The Market Show on Pep this week with Lloyd and Ahsan cannot be missed, and we have will some huge news to share in the summer. It’s almost as if a huge anniversary will be reached at the club – can’t think what though. Oh, and if you want the lowdown on Maresca – there’s a podcast for that too (see below).

There was uproar this week, as all blues saw how Manchester United still have the pulling power to bend and shape media narratives when it suits them. There was absolute OUTRAGE from United fans, journalists and more at City playing the FA Youth Cup final at the same venue they have played all the other games. Yeah I get it, it would have been good to play at a larger ground, but logistics did not allow it. The idea that City should therefore give up home advantage is preposterous, and fuelled by one fanbase and their media acolytes. These fans showed little or no interest in the team in previous rounds, so don’t cry foul now. Whatever the rights and wrongs, how it has played out in the media has been fascinating, and also highly predictable. MUST have even written to the FA demanding the venue be switched. Do one.

It will surprise no one on social media that some thought my tweet above was serious.

And as always, Samuel never disappoints.

Club suits?! OMG! If only that was allowed at the Joie Stadium, and not just at big stadia. I’m writing to the FA as we speak to demand this archaic rule is changed.

Sad to report another Overlap clip has landed on my social media feeds, this time consisting of Ian Wright spouting drivel about Arsenal, the plucky underdogs, and City’s 115 charges. It’s another example of punditry and fan tribalism merging into one. Coverage is just not done by serous people anymore, on the whole. As for this latest clip, if you have not seen it. don’t check it out. It’s all part of how the masses shape narratives that a team that has splurged hundreds and hundreds of millions of pounds can be considered underdogs, and how City’s unproven charges can be used to boost the achievements of other clubs, the insinuation clear that other clubs played fair and could not compete with cheats. The claim is often made on a regular basis from Arsenal fans about how cleaner they are, how classier they are as an organisation. We could delve into the distant pass for evidence that suggests otherwise, or note their support and regular selection of a footballer with horrific charges hanging over his head, but perhaps instead we should mention the sponsors of their stadium, and their willingness to take money from a corrupt Rwandan regime for many years – that partnership finally ends this summer, and Private Eye have reported it was not for moral reasons, but merely a business decision. Other clubs such as PSG and those great moral guardians Bayern Munich are happy to continue the same partnership. As for Ian Wright -the “nice” guys always show their true colours and prejudices in the end.

As an aside, Gary Neville is getting all giddy again about United challenging for titles in the near future. He once popped open a bottle of champagne and photoed himself doing it to celebrate United being joint top (they were 2^nd on goal difference) at the turn of the year. It was interesting that one of his arguments for United being a contender again was City being found guilty of the 115 charges. How telling – since the charges became known, every rival fanbase have been praying for City to have their wings clipped, rather than concentrate on their own team naturally becoming the best. A loser mentality. But ultimately they know the real leveller – Pep leaving.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE REVIEW – PASSED BACK

Ahsan and Adam dive into a mad game v Everton. So much to unpack, and the boys get through all of it. Individual performances, the collapse, Pep’s subs and more.

THE HUB – EPISODE 58

Bailey is joined by Jon Mackenzie to discuss the evolution of the Premier League and how Pep Guardiola has navigated that this season.

THE MARKET – EPISODE 56

Lloyd and Ahsan deep dive into the season-long rumours around Pep’s summer exit. Is he leaving? Is he staying? Could he even sign a contract extension? So many questions, so much conjecture, so little real reporting. We get into it all!

THE HUB - EPISODE 59

Conor joins Bailey to discuss the development of Abdukodir Khusanov this season and the importance of the World Cup for Uzbekistan.

THE MARKET – EPISODE 60

Fahd Ahmed joins Bailey to discuss where it’s gone wrong for Chelsea this season, preview the FA Cup final and the links to Enzo Maresca.

THE WEEKEND SHOW

Another packed show, looking back at the week that was, and previewing the weekend game v Brentford – and much more besides.