THE 93:20 NEWSLETTER:- ISSUE 98

Hello, and welcome to Issue 98 of the 93:20 Newsletter, and no slow down in the stress that football provides at this time of year. Wembley calls once more, but there’s a ton of other stuff to discuss after another crazy and controversial week.

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. The century approaches, and to be honest that may be the final edition, but no doubt I will then think of something new to moan about.

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Let’s crack on.

We have to start, I am afraid, with THAT disallowed goal in London last weekend.

I'd rather believe the foul given against Raya was the right one, irrespective of the evidence. That's because it would linger with me longer if City missed out on the league due to an injustice. I'm sure many will not agree with me, but I'd move on and enjoy the summer if City simply fell short due to performances, rather than some miscarriage and asterisks being pointlessly placed next to Arsenal's name. Bad results may affect my mood, but I always move on before long. A controversy lingers, a feeling of being robbed. So I will try and think no more of last weekend, whatever one transpires this season.  Part of this is because the discourse around matches, especially in a title run-in, is so tedious, draining and at times demoralising. I've avoided social media even after good City performances because I know the discourse would be dominated by a certain incident or issue. And boy, I cannot take the views of Arsenal fans anymore. The paranoia, the forensic analysis, whataboutery, excuses and unearned bravado. Roll on the summer. The World Cup will be a disaster but I can watch it relaxed, and am definitely in need of a break. A time to put some fresh new pod content out, plan for a bright future and talk football hopefully without the angst.

That is until the 115 judgment drops.

Having said that, what a load of b******.  The fact it took five minutes to examine tells you whether a clear and obvious error had been made, and the idea that one foul out of five should be focused on is deeply flawed.

The ultimate irony after THAT decision at West Ham is that the Arsenal fanbase has an army of amateur demented sleuths that forensically analyse every City match to pinpoint numerous incidents that City have supposedly got away with, whilst themselves getting away with murder all season, to the extent that with consistent officiating, the type that was exercised at West Ham to determine there has been a clear and obvious error, City would have won the league by now, whilst in transition. But then, self-awareness is rarely in abundance in a cult.

I've always been willing to accept when City have been 2nd best, and beaten by the better team. Despite City's obvious flaws this season, this is a league title I'll find impossible to applaud would Arsenal get over the finishing line in 1st. Expect such interpretations of fouls on corners to be the norm now, which is generally bad news for Arsenal, but how helpful for a change of approach to be sworn in just in time to help them win a league title.

Tenuous link to VAR time. Andrew Madley was the referee for the Championship play off between Southampton and Middlesbrough, and whilst he had a tough job considering recent events, you soon saw the folly of using a Premier League referee to officiate this match without having VAR to fall back (hide behind) on. He was terrible, and felt out of his depth, because he actually had to make judgment calls on the spot, with no comeback. 

The furore over the location for the FA Youth Cup final rumbled on all week, and was hilarious to watch play out. Sorted and sussed reds from across the globe are incandescent with rage. There are rumours however that many will still travel for the game, and over half a million are expected to line the streets for the match, proving how bigger they are than City. United enlisted much of the press pack to fight a full campaign, incensed at the idea City play the game at home, as the rules have stated since 2019, with the Etihad not available for clear, logical reasons. Suddenly every United fan was a staunch follower of youth – it’s in their D.N.A. after all.

Poor United. A reminder they used to celebrate trebles too, but now, as it is confirmed that City will finish ahead of them in the league for the 13th consecutive season, they are reduced to analysing ticket sales for City matches and getting enraged over things like this, as it occupies them as another season dribbles to an anticlimactic end. This is the difference between the two sides now. City's manager not winning the league and finishing 2nd is considered for many a failure. United's manager guiding the team to 3rd is worth of a permanent contract. Night and day.

United youth Team > Checking City ticket sales > Kids > Wife. In that order.

But let United fans get in a tizzy over a youth game. What else have they got? Nothing, in a 40 game season. No cup glory, no title race, no anything. And no Youth Cup trophy either, as it transpired. Truth is, United's biggest game of the season was a youth game, which may explain Darren Fletcher’s hilarious meltdown post-match, decrying City for celebrating winning a trophy.

Suits?! If only that was allowed at the Joie Stadium.

Anyway, congratulations to the youth team on a fantastic achievement.

 Spygate

You will no doubt know about the Southampton spying scandal. But what stands out most for me, is that such actions may be the stupid, pointless, reckless acts ever. A huge risk for minimal reward. I know that football at a high level can often be about marginal gains, but ultimately how much was a man standing next to a tree really learning about the opposition ahead of a game? Rank stupidity, and they deserve all they get for that reason alone.

There are allegations that this has been a regular occurrence, and that credit card trails have been tracked across the country. Now City played Southampton recently of course, and my sources tell me that the credit card trail of a Southampton intern can be tracked from the City Chippy, Mary D’s and then to a number of establishments in Stockport.

 Final Thought

There may end up being a considerable irony in the press pack spending a decade forensically analysing Pep and his mannerisms, mood and attitude to elicit evidence that he was cracking up and that his time at City may be coming to an end, when in fact Pep may leave when at his most relaxed and convivial.

WHAT WE HAVE BEEN UP TO THIS WEEK

THE 93:20 REVIEW:- BUZZING

Ahsan and Adam purr over Jeremy Doku’s star turn against Brentford, discuss whether we are seeing green shoots of recovery from Phil Foden and much more.

THE MARKET SHOW

Ahsan and Lloyd dig into another week of big transfer stories. A new contract for Rodri? Snagging Eichorn from under Bayern’s nose? All covered, plus loads more.

THE 93:20 REVIEW – PHIL UP

Howard and Lloyd look back at another 3-0 win for City v Crystal Palace, what it may mean for the title race, purr once more over Phil, talk crazy line up, Josko and more.

THE CATCH UP – EPISODE 6

Howard and Ste chatted to Dan and Christer about another turbulent dew months at Chelsea ahead of the cup final, and the most disappointing of seasons for Burnley.

THE WEEKEND SHOW – FINAL STRETCH

Another packed show, looking back at another huge week, and previewing another Cup Final.

COMING UP

THE HUB:- EPISODE 61

Bailey and Sam discuss the merits and otherwise of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

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