End of Season Blues

Just one more home fixture to go this season and thank Christ for that !

Yesterday's dismal performance was yet another in a catalogue of excruciatingly painful displays from a team who know they have just scraped to Premiership safety for another season and seemed to have very little motivation to entertain their home fans, let alone treat them to the rarest of sights, namely a home goal.

It says a lot about the current state of City that we obviously missed Michael Johnson, just a young academy kid who for the last few games had held our under-performing midfield together.

Joey had a shocker yesterday, but before the knives go in on him, we ought to remember that over the course of the season, he's been one of our better performers; yesterday was just one of those days where he was totally out of sorts. All of us sitting in our section of the ground predicted he'd miss the penalty, which he duly did; nothing went right for Joey yesterday and the kindest thing would have been to bring him off at half time.

Yesterday reminded me very much of the Wigan game a few weeks ago, where were just outplayed and outsmarted by a well organised team who came with a game-plan and stuck to it. City, by contrast looked pedestrian and clueless.

It seemed a bit off to me that we didn't have a striker on the bench, given the probability that whoever started up front were unlikely to score. It's tactics like this that worry the fans and cast increasing doubts over Pearce's tactical ability.

After yesterday's comeback by the Rags, I'm fearful that we'll be humiliated in the derby next Saturday, although you can never quite tell with derbies. Hopefully our lads will be up for it and delay what seems to be another inevitable United title. That at least would give the fans a little something to temporarily lift the gloom

With all the speculation about Allardyce, it's going to be tough for the players to focus on next weeks match, especially those that are making their own plans for next season. Don't know about the rest of you, but I'll be pleased to see the back of this season and hopefully we'll be playing under new stewardship next season.

Former City Boss Passes Away

Sad news today of the unexpected and untimely death of England World Cup hero and former City boss Alan Ball.

It came as quite a shock that Alan died at the young age of just 61 from a suspected heart attack. There are reports that he collapsed in his garden whilst trying to put out a bonfire.

Alan will forever be remembered for his outstanding performance in the 1966 World Cup Final victory over the Germans; an incredible display given that he was at 21, the youngster in that legendary side.

As a player, Ball was arguable ahead of his time, playing with unbelieveable drive and energy compared with most of his fellow players of the same era. Undoubtedly, Alan's best years were at Everton and Arsenal where he assumed legendary status as a player.

Unfortunately, Alan, like so may other top players was unable to emulate his on-field successes as a manager and in a dismal spell as City boss in the mid 90s which saw City relegated and winning less than 25% of the League games.

Nevertheless, we have lost a footballing hero who will be remembered as one of the 20th centuries great England players and one of only a few that have won the highest honour in the game.

Season Ticket Renewal / Purchase Advice

Like a lot of City fans, I've been holding back renewing my season ticket. Like Joey Barton said himself, " I wouldn't pay money to watch City", and I've been feeling the same given the awful performances and serious lack of goals and overall entertainment.

However, much against my better judgment and like a masochist, I've renewed for another season - I must be barking mad !

Anyway, the reason for this post is to warn the rest of you who are thinking of either renewing season tickets before the Friday deadline or just considering buying for the first time, to watch out for the hidden "booking fee" if you pay using credit or debit cards.

Although City will claim it's carefully stated, there is no mention of this on season ticket renewal main page on their website, where all the pricing information is listed. You have to delve into the FAQs to find it which I pointed out to City's Customer Services was a tad misleading as it should be prominent on the main season ticket page with the rst of the pricing information.

Just to be clear about this, you will be charged and extra £10 for each ticket if you pay electronically, which for me would have been and extra £30.

To avoid these charges, you can pay by cheque, cash or postal order.

What A Difference A Month Makes

It wasn't so long ago that we were being mercilessly taunted that City's fate would be sealed in the up coming derby game at Eastlands where a United victory would send City down to the Championship whilst at the same time clinching the Premiership.

Well, it's given us all great pleasure to see Mourinho reeling Ferguson' back in, although Chelsea did slip up badly at Newcastle this afternoon. In parallel, City have at last put a decent run together that has seen us pull away from the relegation zone and Premiership safety for another year.

I have to say that I've no real desire to see Chelsea buy another League title, but wouldn't it now be the ultimate irony if it were City who decided United's Premiership fate having had talk of the treble and City being relegated shoved down our throats for most of the season.

What greater motivation do City need when both teams take to the pitch on the 5th May then lobbing a massive spanner in the works to deny United the Premiership title. It couldn't have been better scripted. Another 3 - 1 would do very nicely !