Well Well Well Well

Well what can I say 40 mill of new talent,a new billionaire chairman,and one of the most succesful managers in club management.Could you have seen the future so bright 2 months ago ?? I think not,I am now starting to believe this is a "new era" and the club can finally for 31 years start pushing for honours everyones ready and eager for the start of the new season now lets make sven and thaksin aware of why we really are the best and loyal fans in the country...

Some interesting thoughts on here - and displays of common sense. Let's not fall into the trap of "typical City". If one party thinks that the club is ripe for a takeover, then it's perfectly reasonable that another party will have the same view. And it's more than likely that different parties will have different motivations/plans. If a non-football investor comes in, then somebody like Ranson will have lost his chance with this club - similarly, if Ranson succeeds in buying the club, then an investor looking for a quick killing will have lost their chance. All of this means that it's likely to get a bit grubby IF a deal is looking like it might happen. That's pretty much what happened at Liverpool - but I doubt most of us were living that saga minute by minute (or cared so much) and so it wasn't quite as painful! And look at what is happening at Arsenal - so this is not a "City" thing. I for one do believe that Wardle is motivated by the best interests of the club. His personal stake in the club doing well is more than most of us could ever imagine and it seems to me that the relationship between him getting his money back, the way the club performs and whether or not he readily agrees to sell his stake is more complex than most of us give him credit for. Bear in mind that more than 70% of the club is NOT owned by Wardle and Makin, which is quite a lot to aim at if you're intent on buying up some of the club - if, perhaps, an expensive way. I think we need to have a bit of faith that's he's got the club's interests at heart.
Thicko, La-la-land

City takeover Ransons bid rejected

Blues sceptical over Ray offer Chris Bailey 25/ 4/2007
CITY'S takeover saga took a new twist today with the Blues blasting back at Ray Ranson's 'indicative offer' as they unveiled one of the 'mystery' Americans.In a statement to the Stock Exchange this morning, City confirmed that they have received two offers from Ranson, though they say neither is for £90m.Ex-player Ranson, meanwhile, has made it clear that the Blues can expect a fresh proposal in the next few days as the race to own the club hots up.He may face competition from Jerome Simon, a USA financier who is looking to get into the English game and has previously been linked with Millwall.Although he has been reported to have made a visit to the Carrington training ground, 47-year-old Simon - whose company is Lonestar Partners - is still not considered a front runner by the Blues.They are sceptical, too, about Ranson, and have clearly been irritated that his `indicative offer' became public knowledge after a period of time without contact. "The board can confirm it received, and responded promptly to, a highly conditional indicative proposal from Ray Ranson and his advisers on March 12, 2007," read their statement. "For the avoidance of doubt, since March 12, 2007, contrary to media speculation, neither the purported '£90m bid', nor further proposals of any sort, have been received by the company or its advisers from Ray Ranson." Meanwhile, Ranson's own statement released to the Stock Exchange last night hinted strongly that he was about to launch another offer.

City1-Watford1-Same old story

Yet another Pearce inspired inept performance.Playing one up front against the worst team in the league then having fluked a goal courtesy of their rag goalkeeper sitting back and inviting them to equalise summed up this season. Yet again Beasley goes off after an innocuous tackle.Miller comes on as sub and has his usual useless game -what does Pearce see in him ? The only bright spots were the performances of Johnson and Hamann who held us together in the middle and another steady game from Dunnie. Pearce must go at the end of the season.We've competed in the past against the rags,Liverpool and Chelsea and beaten them all - now we capitulate against the likes of Watford.

City v Watford Preview

We are playing well, but we are still in that position where we have no preditor in front of goal. You can tell the difference when Mpenza is playing. You always feel you are going to score. Without any help Mpenza have done brilliantly, but needs a partner. Beasley, is only just starting to blend in after a miserable season with injury and brings that balance to the side. Ireland needs room and is at his best in Midfield. The free kick have got better since JB gave them up. Not expecting anything other than a win at Watford. Still need a goalie to command area
Buzz Lightyear, Anglesey

City takeover "more likely"

Pearce has confirmed a major investment into Manchester City is looking more likely.John Wardle has been in intense negotiations with an un-named buyer for his stake in the Eastlands outfit, which could deliver some much-needed funds for Pearce to strengthen his squad in the summer.Strange story: 1 comment, 1 question. Comment - who can blame Wardle for thinking "sod it!" and being willing to sell his shares to anybody who will buy them at the market price and will help resolve the "loan" situation? He's a City fan and I can imagine that every now and then he wonders if this was what he expected for rescuing the club and "living the dream". (By "this" I mean other fans calling for his head.) Question - those people who reckon this is a scam to generate season ticket sales - are you "allowed" to make public claims about potential takeovers, investment, etc when you are running a plc? It seems a bit dodgy to me because when this was first announced, the share price went up - I just wonder if there are rules about that sort of thing.
John Devon

City 1 Arsenal 3

City v Arsenal

City started brightly on the bowling green of a pitch at the Emirates and had Darius Vassell running at pace onto the Arsenal backline within the opening few minutes.
His pull back from the left found DaMarcus Beasley, but a good blocking tackle prevented Pearce's men from shocking the home crowd and taking the lead.
Despite City holding their own in the early stages it was the home side who went in front after 12 minutes.
Diaby won the ball back in midfield and fed Eboue down the right wing, his cross found Nedum Onuoha sleeping at the back post and Tomas Rosicky stole in to blast the ball through Isaksson's legs.
The Blues kept to their task in hand despite the early blow and it wasn't until the 27th minute that the Gunners threatened again - a fantastic sliding challenge in the area from Richard Dunne prevented further damage.
After half an hour, Arsenal's Abou Diaby couldn't carry on after an innocuous-looking collision left him with a cut to the head. Julio 'the beast' Baptista replaced him.
Isaksson was called into action after 33 minutes as he made a good parry out from a long rang Fabregas effort. Arsenal, with the added firepower of Baptista now on the pitch, threatened to double the advantage sooner rather than later.
The nice football Arsenal played hadn't turned to goals and the Blues were still in the game 10 minutes before the break.
City then had a chance on 37 minutes as Vassell again provided a decent ball into the box. Jihai Sun lost his footing but still managed to fire goalwards - Gallas though blocked before the ball was cleared to safety.
The Blues didn't have to wait long for their next chance and they made Arsenal pay this time. Jens Lehmann made a hash of a clearance, Joey Barton picked the ball up and found Michael Johnson, he rode a couple of challenges before slipping the ball on to DaMarcus Beasley.
The American stayed calm and placed the ball beyond Lehmann and send the City fans into raptures just five minutes before the break. Arsene Wenger's men had not learnt their lessons.
City could even have gone in at half time 2-1 up. Barton's 20-yard drive forced an unsure Lehmann to turn the ball behind for a corner.
HALF TIME: Arsenal 1-1 City
No changes by either manager ahead of the second half.
Pearce's men looked fresh and ready after the late leveller. Beasley was again making the Arsenal fans sit uncomfortably in their padded seats with a dangerous ball in, which Jihai Sun could bounce goalwards, Lehmann this time made no mistakes.
Arsenal pressed and pressed during the second half, but too many times they continued to overcomplicate matters, playing too many passes. The home fans became increasingly edgy and ran the risk of being caught by City again.
When the Gunners cottoned on, halfway through the second 45, City held firm. A flowing move involving Rosicky, Adebayor and Hleb brought a fine block from Distin.
Then Isaksson produced an amazing save to deny Adebayor a certain goal. The former Monaco striker rose well to meet Hleb's cross, but the Swede stretched full-length and even managed to hold the ball.
Typically it was a strike from nothing that eventually saw the Gunners retake the lead. It was Cesc Fabregas with an unstoppable drive from some 20-yards out to break City's hearts. Nothing Isaksson could do about that one.
Pearce made an attacking double substitution with Corradi and Samaras introduced - but it got worse as Arsenal scored again.
Alex Hleb bundled his way into the box with 10 minutes left before the ball fell to Baptista who turned it home to surely seal the points for Arsenal. Another cruel blow for City to take despite playing some good football and troubling Wenger's men.
The Blues had a good chance on 87 minutes as the two subs combined, but Samaras' shot was well saved by a relieved Lehmann following his first half blunder.
City can count themselves unlucky to have lost here tonight having given a good account of themselves.
Leon Collins.