MAKE 'EM EAT THEIR WORDS BOYS!

With the season only just under way the expectation levels of every Premiership sides fans is either going to be realised or blown out of the water over the coming months. For some it will be deja vu, for others it will be hell, for some it will be 'well there's always next season'. What category us Blues fall into i'm not too sure. However, i do know that whatever happens to us we may well still end up disappointed. That's not to be seen as negative. If we finished fifth, that would be a fantastic achievement - but we would still be frustrated that we didn't break into the top four and qualify for the Champions League!

As I wrote in the August newsletter - that we would be the focus of everyones attention - this season is set to be a unique experience for all City fans, irrespective of age. I've seen this club win silverware, but i've never ever witnessed the level of intensity of interest in one club - Our City! I recall our former chairman, Peter Swales advocating the benefits of widespread media attention as it projected the profile of the club onwards and upwards. Unfortunately the focus at that time tended to be for all the wrong reasons. It was what was happening off the park that saw the newshounds camping outside Maine Road. But that has all changed now. Unless youv'e been to Mars for the past twelve months every one will be aware of our wealth and spending power. The influx of star names from here there and everywhere.

The 'ridiculous' fees and exorbitant salaries have raised eyebrows almost universally throughout the football world. Platini, Blatter, Wenger, Benitez, Moyes, Ferguson have all had their tuppence worth. The managers in question would be the first on their soap boxes if their own clubs were being castigated by an outsider. The perpertrators of any kind of critical statements would be branded as arrogant or plain jealous. Well now the tables have turned. Only this time it is a case of managers not liking the fact that their own clubs chances of success may be challenged by some upstart of a club with untold millions at their disposal. Chelsea's free spending days under the then new reign of Abramovich was met with contempt by those feeling most threatened. And nothings changed has it? Ferguson, the ogre from OT, should with haste return north, cross Hadrians Wall and stay on the side of that wall he should never have been allowed to cross in the first place. Ok, he's been tremendously succesful south of the border, that cannot be denied. But old red nose is arrogant to the point of distraction. And yes he's a canny old git. The method in his rants is to wind people up and he bleedin succeeds. And I like many before - and I'm sure with more too follow - will fall for it. I annoy meself for succumbing to his wily old ways but don't you just want to smack the ,sweaty sock' !!

So from kick-off at Blackburn it's time for the talking to stop and get down to the nitty gritty of winning football matches. Mark Hughes, the players, the owners and of course the paying fans will want to see the best of Manchester City. No more Jekll and Hyde performances. No more typical City performances. The mythical pot of gold at the end of the rainbow is as near as it's ever been to grasping. City must not let the opportunity run away from them. The players have a platform to elevate themselves into folk hero status. The clearest chance to rewrite the history books. The knowledge that they can join the elite hall of fame and once and for all displace the likes of Lee, Bell and Summerbee as the last players to help bring success to this club.

The mantle is theirs if they want it. Do the business boys and the worlds your oyster and you can force the Scots, Spanish, French and any other nationality of football people to eat their words. The silence would definitely be golden.

Geoff Stevenson

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