Unless you've had your head buried in the sands of Dubai, news of City's audacious bid for A C Milans Kaka, is that it has failed. City have ceased negotiations following statements by the Milanese clubs representatives that the deal was dead and buried. Much rhetoric has followed the failed bid but Gary Cooke's assessment that the Italians 'bottled it' is probably closer to the mark than anything else you may hear. Don't be fooled into believing that Kaka is 100% loyal to the Milan, I firmly believe that he just couldn't face the flak and heat any move to City may have generated. (See how he would react to a similar bid from Real Madrid.)

For those of you who read this months newsletter you will be aware that I had my reservations about the deal but nevertheless the prospective move had to be applauded as it confirmed that City were thinking big and indoing so were determined to bring the biggest and the best to Eastlands, irrespective of the cost. The moves failure leaves me with mixed feelings. Yes I am disappointed it didn't come to fruition and somewhat relieved that we didn't succeed in smashing the world transfer record to smithereens.

The crap that has been written and spoken about City, Kaka and the new owners has bordered on hysterical. Borne I'm convinced of petty jealousy and envy. If Manchester United, Chelsea, Madrid or Barcelona had bid for Kaka on a level playing field with City, would the frenzy have been so intense? I doubt it. If United had sold Ronaldo to Madrid last year for £90m would they have been applauded for the astute nature of the business concluded or attacked for encouraging the Spaniards to spend so much money on one player? I suspect the former would apply! Many people in football may see City as small fry in terms of Premiership pedigree and of course we City fans are well aware of our failings but for goodness sake give us a bit of slack. The bleating of the rags fans has been pitiful. Not being able to criticise the undoubted ability of Kaka they have jumped on the band wagon in condemning the size of the fee! Well tough on you. Get a life and take a step back into your armchairs and look at the millions you have spent over the years and the amount of times you have broken the transfer record. The only difference is that we were opting to spend a fraction of what you have spent over the years in one chunk! You'll be telling us you've never bought the title, next!

Manchester City have an unenviable record when it comes to dropped bollocks, but we bounce back, sometimes stronger for it and sometimes weaker and may even repeat the error but that is how it has been. The media have a field day when anything happens at City. They applaud you one day and berate you the next. Maybe thats the nature of the beast. But we live with it. The problem with football - both domestic and international - is that the recognised big clubs/countries don't like to see their dominance threatened and the media are as guilty as the football side of it in pursuing this witch hunt.

I desperately want to see my club do well. I want them to progress. I want them to be recognised as a credible force in football both on and off the field but more importantly I want to see them challenging for silverware and hopefully winning some as well. Whether that day ever materialises only time will tell. The rebuilding and restructuring of the club continues and will do so for a long time to come. The hierarchy believe the way forward is stability on the managerial front and investment in players. The two go cap in hand. For now, the owners have enough confidence in the manager to allow him to spend money on new players. The signings of Bridge, Bellamy and possibly De Jong are proof of this. Mark Hughes may not be everybodies favourite person but again let's not ridicule the man for endeavouring to make his team and Manchester City a team and a club to be feared. Don't slag the rag fans off for slating City over the Kaka move when you slag Hughes off because he happened to play for United. Give Hughes a chance and for heavens sake.Forget his links to Man United!! It's time for the supporters to grow up rid yourselves of any petty prejudices they have about the rags.

 
Geoff Stevenson

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