The magic of the cup - with Bradford the true winner

A cup fever has always been special, especially when little teams reach far due of strong guts and bravery. Yesterday was the most historical climax at Wembley when never-a-fouth-tire-team-reached-the-final side Bradford were paired with the Premier League fun package Swansea. Also to them is has been amazing – both teams in fact – had never reached a final of a major cup ever before. And it was Bradford's pride that was the genuine winner.

First of all I would like to state that it's a disgrace that the FA tried to charge Bradford City a sickening £2000 to 'permit them' to display a tribute banner in order to remember the 56 people who died on the 11^th of May 1985 during the Valley Parade Fire disaster. Seriously: how much did they charge to stage a minute silence for the Munich Air Disaster earlier this month? And why didn't the FA stage a minute silence this time for the other victims who died? This is highly controversial. Please STOP your 'respect campaign' now, dear FA. As I'm asking you to go back to the roots of sportsmanship.

The game itself went down the pan quite fast. Some brave faces of the northerners definitely got overwhelmed with the impact of the biggest game ever of their lives. It was however in the second half when the bitter taste stated to kick in at the score of 3-0 to Swansea when referee Not-A-Friend awarded a penalty and sent off the Bradford goalie. It was a foul, yes, but at that score with a team being outclassed, it was pathetic to show a red card. No dignity. That incident then got overshadowed by Canadian-born Dutch front man De Guzman, who refused to let Nathan Dyer to take it in order to secure being the first player in the cup history to score a hat-trick in the final. De Guzman using head-taller and bigger body in order to claim the spot kick, it reminded me of his behaviour back in the days he was still playing for Feyenoord – as he went through the youth ranks of the Dutch club. He has always been trouble – his arrogance doesn't reflect his talent.

I also point an angry finger towards Swans manager Laudrup, who should had stood up at the sideline but did not. Not only that, after the penalty all Dyer's team mates were non-stop passing the ball to him in order to 'make it up' for De Guzman's behaviour and to let him claim the big honour in history. But what did Laudrup do? Substitute him! So he let his bully remain on the pitch, giving him a double joy. To later claim that 'it was all his fault' because 'he forgot to appoint a number one to take the penalties' doesn't swallow well.

The score went to 4-0, but it were the Bradford fans who took over Wembley completely. It was actually a humiliation towards the Welsh as the Bantams fans sang their longs out and all of them were waving their special day flags in the air. It took about five minutes before one or two Swansea fans joined in with their flags, but the fact remains that to me there was only one winner. They have beaten Wigan and Arsenal, not just that, they outclassed Aston Villa in the semi finals. Yes, their end-of-season highlights DVD will be the one I shall purchase.

The discussion I wanted to unfold

I wanted to grab an issue last Monday, and I can say that my mission has accomplished. Therefore I now come with a special follow up edition.

This has been an issue many City fans have been speculating about – and I used my blog in order to open up a discussion. No need to remain in an 'if but and or maybe' position.

Some people told me I was being 'too harsh', as Marwood is 'only a footsoldier for his bosses'. I have to agree that it has been announced a year ago that the club wants to reduce the wage bill before doing any new investments, with also an eye to the Financial Fair Play. Thankfully several contracts are ready to expire upcoming summer and certain players might be sold as well. No need to speculate about who could be sold as this article is about something else.

So, am I taking back my question about Marwood regarding Cook? Yes. I basically only wondered as there has been three transfer windows since his departure – but of course never questioned his integrity. The Tevez saga should not be connected to Cook's dismissal, basically because we as fans can – and maybe may – not get involved into backroom staff affairs. And never forget that our owners have so far been very good to the club and to us as fans.

Do I still believe in a Mr Cook connection? No. I only opted one of many speculations with some great feedback in return. As mentioned, we could all remain in an 'if but and or maybe' position – in which all theories could, and so far did, snowball into many possible directions – resulting into 'wrong views' to cement. This is not fair towards Mr Marwood.

Important is that we're only at the beginning of our new era journey – with some great trophies already won and with a squad on the pitch you could have never dreamed of back in the old days. The club is fully right to keep internal issues behind closed doors, like potential transfer targets as well other matters which non-club related people should not get their hands onto.

However, when you sense that the fans are feeling unsettled and names are gossipping around, it would be wise to let that person – in this case Mr Marwood – have some publicity and talk about issues we are allowed to know more about – in order to ease the bubbling uproar. An easily to set up charm campaign can already put a storm to lay down, being a mild breeze only to remain. Just a thought. It would stop the press from writing rubbish, with one journo wanting to imporess the other one with an even more saucy story line. It can result in destablishment, which my Monday article tried to point out. A simple interview on the own website alone would do wonders.

Man City - The question I have to Brian Marwood

We as City fans are of course very grateful to where Roberto Mancini has brought us to. When he got appointed he stated very bravely: “in the first year top 4, the year after – Champions”. And indeed we did. Also he brought us an amazing FA Cup success, with glorious games at Wembley still fresh in our memories. And let's not forget the Community Shield back last summer – not really a big price as it's only a single game, however of course you do still have to win it.

A bit of a shame is that we're currently not enjoying a season of progress, we're even taking a step back. So, where has this all gone wrong? Several aspects we can point out for sure. However the most important one was last summer (and of course this January) in which none of Mancini's transfer targets were being recruited – all mainly being blocked by Brian Marwood.

Very interesting fact is that Marwood has worked alongside Garry Cook – who has been dismissed on the 9^th of September 2011 for 'sending an offensive email' to the mother of young starlet Onuoha. Both gentlemen have also worked together at Nike before heading to Manchester in 2008. They know each other very well. Now, I might be thinking a bit too deep here – but has Marwood's behaviour regarding blocking transfers been a plot of 'revenge' for his pal?

Another funny fact. Only three weeks after Cook was dismissed, Tevez suddenly 'refused' to warm up during the Champions League away game at Bayern Munchen. Now this could indeed be two separate incidents, but weird it surely is. I'm not going to speculate this Tevez issue – he had his punishment, he came back and is clearly feeling warmed about being accepted again by the fans and his team mates.

So in September 2011 our derailment began. Now let us roll on a season to this current campaign. Last August during a press conference Mancini was being asked about why he hadn't signed up anyone so far, in which he emotionally replied “ask Marwood!”. And let's be honest, how could he ever work properly while being hold against? The manager was trapped, pinned. Frustration began to bubble. Some deadline transfers did reach our squad, but simply the only interesting one of those is the arrival of young defender Matija Nastasić, who has been blooming brilliantly.

Apart from him I think no one has been an addition. Maicon is working hard, mind you, but we didn't need him. Rodwell, very injury prone and not worth the money the club has paid for him. And how about Javi Garcia? He tries to be efficient, but simply is not good enough for a top team as he's not capable of reading a game – sometimes standing still staring down and being clueless of what to do with that funny round shaped marble in front of his feet. Now I do am aware that Garcia is being liked by some of the fans, and I hope you will prove my criticism wrong. But we ain't an Aston Villa kind of club any longer, we need quality in to challenge the top.

Irritation boiling over, and Mancini started to publicly rubbish his own players. Yes, you need to sharp your players up by making certain comments, but he only became snappy during the last couple of months – always kept issues within the dressing room. Most recent he has repeatedly attacked Joe Hart, stating he would not mind dropping him. Also he has indicated he 'does not rate' the stopper. Yes, Hart made some errors recently, but that came down to the non stop negative talking by his manager. When he played against Brazil on Wednesday the 6^th of this month, he was simply showing some amazing skills again – this is the difference between giving confidence or giving stick.

So question again is: why has Marwood blocked 3 transfer windows? Revenge on the club for sacking his buddy? Or is there a new manager lined up and he has been ordered to wait with spending money until the new man is installed – in which means Mancini is on borrowed time? We City fans wish to know. This has cost the club millions of pounds due of a failed European campaign as well we've lost our chances of defending our league title due of the internal situation.

----------------------------

ADDED EDIT: I have to agree that Marwood is a footsoldier who is following orders for his bosses. The current disturbances on the pitch I have most likely placed into the wrong direction. However - there is always a right to ask questions. But thanks to a healthy discussion views can be brought into a more clearer perspective. If my direction of questions were wrong, I wish to apologize to Mr Marwood.

Why has the FA lost his objectivity?

I am planning to raise an issue here – asking a sincere question about objectivity. My point is clear, rivalry should not result in making any differences coming to casualties.

Last Wednesday, prior to the friendly match between England and Brazil at Wembley, there was a minute silence to remember the victims of the Munich Air Disaster which took place exactly 55 years ago. That was an important decision to stage that contribution of respect. You can have as much rivalry as you want, but when people their lives are being lost due of a tragedy then you should know where the line of hater lies – indeed, the death should not be taunted, nor should [serious] injuries be glorified.

However, it was the only tragedy the FA staged a minute silence for.

Last year, after 23 long and tearful years, the first part of justice towards the 96 victims of the Hillsborough Disaster got recognition. A powerful report cleared the Liverpool fans of any wrong doings and grilled officials who’s errors let to the horrifying tragedy. Not only those victims, but the whole city of Liverpool had been dragged through dirt by nationwide news corporations. Also the abusive songs ever since in the stadiums are unacceptable. It has nothing to do with football.

The same counts towards taunts like “Munich holiday”, also not justified. The whole Manchester community got affected by the disaster and that doesn't deserves to be joked about. The same counts towards people who try to make money by selling certain related goodies.

Back to the FA: they did nothing about staging a minute silence for those victims of Hillsborough. Nothing. Clubs themselves offered to play the “He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother” charity song during their half time breaks – not because the FA sent out a request to show some support. I assume a human life is a human life, equality.

So, what is it then? We do remember a Mancunian related disaster but not a Liverpudlian one? Oh, and how about the one at Valley Parade, will the FA stage a minute silence during the upcoming League Cup final due of the horrible fire that took place back in 1985? Killing 56 innocent spectators. I've got a funny feeling it won't happen. And no, I don't want to hear the excuse that it can't be done at the end of February as the tragedy took place on the 11^th of May. That's no excuse. This League Cup final game is the biggest achievement by the club, and especially than there should be flowers, a minute silence and a lot of balloons to fly up the sky.

So, my question is strong: how come if you're promoting a 'fair play' and a 'respect' campaign you're not staging a memorial for all football related victims? To me, the commission members who are making the final decision should always remember that a good Karma gives a good Karma back.

Why Feyenoord fans love Manchester City

Some people might remember me making a reference towards the Dutch glory hunters from Feyenoord who suddenly came crawling towards us – Manchester City – after we got blessed with our ownership by Sheikh Mansour since 2008. I am going to tell you a story of something that not only happened to me, but also contains some background history regarding Feyenoord's support. It's funny how certain people can become hateful if you're having a different point of view. Read on.

Let me start by telling you that I used to live in the Netherlands. An error by birth so to say, as I've always had my heart belonging to England. It wasn't that long after I started to like football that I began to follow the Premiership, trying to watch as many highlights (and games) as possible. Arsenal and Liverpool were then the two main teams, with Man United suddenly buying players for mind blowing transfer fees. I can remember that £8m was an over-the-top amount back in the early 90s.

It was in 1994, at the age of 13, I discovered Oasis. I was an early bird coming to them, as not only English football but also the music fascinated me – the whole culture. I read an interview in which they mentioned the Gallagher brothers were supporting City. I was curious, who were City, where did they play and so on.

I only started to use the internet from 2000 onwards, but managed to find some football magazines at car boot sales during holidays as well some – but very rarely – in the Netherlands. I already noticed the huge attendances while checking the BBC ceefax scores/results, and it impressed me big times how many fans turned up at every City (home)game. That loyalty, the Manchester accent, the pride: I felt very certain to devote my heart to the club and follow it no matter where, which league or position. I learned quite fast that the club culture is that one of a family spirit.

But while still living in the Netherlands, I wanted to see some live football as well. I wanted to smell the grass and feel the excitement. It was in the summer of 2000 when I bought my first season ticket at Feyenoord, where I stayed for 5 full seasons. I went for Feyenoord as their fan base have – like Man City – got a very loyal nature. However, that is the only thing you can compare the two clubs with. Inside of the ground I always have noticed a lot of Liverpool and some Celtic jerseys and scarves, with “You'll Never Walk Alone” being sang prior to every single game. Something they're still doing nowadays by the way. On YouTube you can actually find a lot of clear videos.

It was 2003 when influential midfielder Paul Bosvelt moved from Feyenoord to Manchester, and I couldn't believe my delight: he went to my City! After first a struggling start, he finally gained a cemented position into the first team.

I knew what he was capable of, and on the stands in Rotterdam I already told some people about my pride of City and tried to educate them a bit about the background. They weren't that impressed, to say the least. Things like “nice he plays in the English Premier, but it's only at a little club” were some of the snubbing replies I received. The crowd was more proud of goal keeper Jerzy Dudek, who had joined the Merseysiders back in January 2002.

The problems really started around 2005, after Bosvelt had left City when his two year contract expired – to finish his career off in the Netherlands. On a main Feyenoord forum I 'dared' to state that City were like the Feyenoord of England (again, based on to loyalty only), in which someone replied “City are City, we got nothing to do with them” and he was immediately backed by others. I was then 'kindly asked' to 'get lost and never come back' with my 'annoying talk about City'. That was the final straw for me, that aggression. I cancelled my season ticket and let them all be. I was due to move to England anyway in 2006 on a permanent base, but would had enjoyed one more final year of normal live football action.

Oh, but how things have changed ever since. No need to explain our current wealth and Liverpool's decline. Suddenly Liverpool are not playing Champions League football any longer and we took over their place. Not only have we took over their place, we also took over their Dutch glory hunters – who 'suddenly realised how much we have in common'. Of course they knew it, from during the Paul Bosvelt era they no doubt heard some stories [not just from me] as they weekly checked on their former player his matches. Fact is that when you're doing well, you gain a lot of new 'fans', that's unavoidable. But with them, I simply have so much first hand knowledge – I'm a front row witness indeed – that I wish to stand guard and at least speak my heart out towards my fellow Citizens.

Very simple: what would happen if our owners would suddenly leave us and we'd slip back into poverty and as well into a lower league? The Dutch would just simply walk away from us as easily as they've came over – most likely digging up their old Liverpool jerseys and state “hey mate, long time no see, how's it going?” while crawling back towards Anfield.