city blog Blog #1

Posted: August 19th 2008
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A week is a long time in politics, so said Harold Wilson. A season seemingly an epoch in the comic world that is Manchester’s pale blue half. Consider the situation just twelve short months ago. Frankie Boy had billions more, stashed underneath his bedroom floor (Proclaimers) Sven had a plan – yes, a plan. Eight defenders, eight midfielders, four strikers, three goalkeepers – and a young improving squad. Blimey. And, hey, free Thai nosh in Piccadilly Gardens. Gone were the cast off days – Andrei Kanchelskis – winged messenger in red – shop mobility in blue. Gone were Genial Joe Royle’s pub signings – Andy Morrison, ‘Fat’ Bob Taylor – each seeking to emulate their manager’s expanding waistline. And in the balmy Autumn sunshine, with Elano pulling the strings, it really was like watching Brazil. But was it for real? ‘Football team eats synthetic cream’ (anag) 

The double over United was sweet enough, yet by May another media blackout was in place – Pre-Fergy television ruled. Even old episodes of The Liver Birds seemed palatable. And it wasn’t much consolation mocking the Mags for giving us five million for ‘Cigars In Their Eyes’ contestant Joey Barton.

Sven is now in South America (legitimately) Frankie Boy has a warrant out for his arrest. His wife is already in chokey for a three stretch. Given there’s an extradition treaty in place between the UK and Thailand, he may have to follow in the wake of the amorous Swede – Nazi war criminals – Great Train Robbers. 

The squad still looks tasty enough. Stephen ‘Superman’ Ireland, accepting the inevitable, has returned Elton’s rug – and looks all the better for it. Perhaps it was on the advice of his ‘late’ Grandmother? Michael Johnson does have something of the Colin Bell about him – and there’s the boy from Brazil to look forward to. But Sparky does not look a happy man. Boardroom interference – smoke and mirrors re the finances – and a pall of sleaze hanging over the Club

European football returned – a trip to the Faroe Islands, and a rain lashed night in Barnsley. Hey, this is glamour. Our last EUFA adventure pitted us against Total Network Solutions, with Robbie Fowler wheezing like a forty a day merchant who’s just climbed Blackpool tower. Comfortable victories until Midtyjlland pulled the plug on Sparky’s first competitive game in charge at Eastlands.

Some sexy stuff at Villa, it must be said – though not in the last third. And a much improved defensive performance. We did concede eight in our last Premier away fixture remember.

So, the Manchester ‘Forty Thousand’ much akin to the Birmingham ‘six’ or the Guildford ‘four’, will gather again this Sunday at Eastlands. West Ham the visitors, and traditional whipping boys over the years. Always nice to see old friends. Wonder if Stuart Hall will skip up the steps, wearing his salmon pink jacket, saying “What a day, what a day. I’ve come all the way from Abu Dabi to be here today” But Stuart, please don’t do the one about the hundred US marines entering Jordan. You’ve gotta not laugh.