BACK TO BUSINESS- CITY v. HULL AND BURNLEY AWAY AT WEST HAM

Got a bit distracted in last couple of weeks but now keenly anticpiating the visit of Hull to COMS and the visit of the Clarets to the Boleyn Ground to take on another team in claret and blue. When I was a kid, I used to listen out for the results of the other teams that played in claret and blue. It would be around 1970 so as I recall the league teams that used to divert me on a Saturday tea time were West Ham United, Aston Villa and Aldershot. Aldershot unfortunately went out of business in 1992 and dropped out of the league. The funny thing about the claret and blue kit attraction for me is that I must have read about Aldershot playing in claret and blue in some football history book because they actually stopped wearing the colours in 1939.

A long time before I was bothered about teams playing in claret and blue but obviously good enough for me at the time. More here on Aldershot's kit history should you wish to know more.

Anway the City match against Hull surely won't see a repeat of last seasons on-pitch half time bollocking of the team by manager Phil Brown.

Priceless really. His man management skills are hilarious. Each one of the players looks like he is thinking "what a cock this bloke is. I know we 're shit but at least we're not orange". Anyway, if you haven't seen it it's here...City were 4-0 up at this point by the way so the Hull players really needed a motivating 5 minute public bollocking in front of their own fans. I wonder what the fans thought of it . I bet they thought..."this Premiership lark is brilliant. You travel 150 miles to be 4-0 down at half time and instead of letting you go and get a balti pie at half time the orange headed manager subjects you to the vision of 11 grown men on £30k a week being treated as if they are naughty nine year olds at a primary school five-a-side tournament. We are in the big time now..."

My predictions for tomorrow, 4-0 to City and 1-1 for the Clarets.

IS ROBINHO A GENIUS OR AN ARSE? - OR BOTH?

Its hard to judge a man by what other people say he has said but if the press reports about Robhino's alleged comments on his position at Manchester City are true he is something of an ungrateful arse. If not then he is probably mis-represented and we should wait to see what he does, not what someone else says he is going to do.

If you haven't been following this he has allegedly spat his dummy out and wants away to Barca. Given that his return for the approximately £14 million in wages that City have paid him since he arrived in August 2008 has been bordering on f*** all we should probably be glad to see the back of him.

Given that he appears to be ready to play for Brazil on Saturday while he is still allegedly injured and hasn't turned out for the Blues since 27th August, then the calls for him to "do one" will surely grow.

On the flip side successful teams don't get successful by getting rid of players of the calibre of Robhino without a fight.

But if he wants away then it will be hard to keep him. We should make sure we get our money back though.

If you are in any doubt about how good he is watch this video : Robhino's Skills

ROBERT ENKE RIP

I know this site is about Burnley and Man City but it is also about football, and today football suffered a terrible personal tragedy with the suicide of German national keeper Robert Enke. Enke had suffered terrible personal tragedy in his life, the greatest of which was the loss of his 2 year old daughter in 2006. It appears this was something he never recovered from and yesterday he tragically and sadly took his own life. My thoughts are with his family. His current club Hanover 96 have cleared their website and replaced it with a black screen with the simple words "We are mourning Robert Enke". So very sad.

BILLY INGHAM RIP

This very sad news has been posted in various places in the last 24 hours.

This extract is from This Is Lancashire website:

CLARETS cult hero Billy Ingham - affectionately known as the Ginger Pele - has died following a long battle with illness. The tenacious midfielder, who played 266 times for Burnley between 1972 and 1980, scoring 31 goals, died on Saturday, aged 57. Yesterday tributes poured in from Clarets legends who played alongside Billy at the peak of his football career. And messages of support were sent to the Northumberland born player’s family, including his widow, Diane. According to those who played with Billy, he was a versatile player, who could fill a number of midfield roles. He etched his way into Burnley folklore when he scored an individual winning goal against Chelsea at Turf Moor in April 1977.

Former winger Leighton James said he shared digs with Billy for five years when the pair played for Burnley. He said: “I’ve never heard anybody say anything bad about Billy. He was a great bloke and a real top man who would do anything for you. “He was a very good professional and a very good player, better than he was given credit for.

“It’s a tragedy and a sad loss. I’ve lost a good friend and a man that I had nothing but the utmost love and respect for. “Burnley will be a a sad town, certainly amongst the football fraternity, this week.” Billy was admitted to hospital last year due to illness and was given the last rites. Despite returning home he never fully recovered. Ex-Burnley forward Pete Noble, who said he was shocked to hear the news, also paid tribute to Billy. He said: “Billy came from the North East like me and he was a right nice lad and a great little player as well. “He was one of the players who loved playing football and loved helping people. He wasn’t appreciated as much as he should have been.” After ending his footbball career at Bradford FC, Billy returned to Burnley to work as a driver for BCN buses. A spokesman for Burnley FC said: “Burnley Football Club is saddened to learn of the death of former midfielder Billy Ingham. “The thoughts of everyone at Turf Moor are with Billy's family and friends at this very sad time.”

TYPICAL CITY - UNTYPICAL BURNLEY

November 7th - Manchester City 3 v. Burnley 3

Well that went well!!

The match reports probably don't tell the full story. Anyone who has watched Manchester City over the last 3 decades would not be suprised either by the result or the manner in which it came. This is City after all. Burnley however demonstrated a resilient streak which will surely stand them in good stead in the months to come. I am not going to comment on the events of the match. They are part of football history now. I will however comment on what this result might mean for the two clubs. If City continue to throw points away like this then any dreams of a top four (or even top 6 ) finish will surely remain as dreams. I know it is early doors but 5 draws on the bounce is not top four form. Burnley on the other hand can take heart from the perfomance. Not just going 2-0 up but not crumbling when City drew back to 3-2. It's the first away point of the campaign and I suppose I could have predicted it would be at COMS.

Match reports here and here

THE BIG ONE

Tomorrow sees the first of the two scheduled Premier League meetings this year between City and the Clarets and the first at the City of Manchester Stadium. This will be the 91st meeting between the two clubs in all competitions and the first in the top flight since the 13th March 1976 when the two teams shared the points 0-0 at Turf Moor.

A particular meeting I remember attending was the 1973 Charity Shield Final at Maine Road when Colin Waldron scored the only goal to secure the trophy for the first and only time for the Clarets. Incidentally until a few weeks ago Colin Waldron the goalscorer in 1973 ran a bookies about a quarter of a mile from my mum and dads house. Colin Waldron was a key part of the Burnley team of the early '70s until he along with Jimmy Adamson the manager and other players left the club in 1976. An event which coincided with a very barren spell for the club which apart from the odd moment, arguably lasted for 33 years. Waldron left Burnely for Manchester United where he made 3 appearances before setting off on a tour of several clubs including some in North America. He finished his professional football career at Rochdale. More about him here

The picture shows Martin Dobson with the trophy.

If current Clarets away form is anything to go by the Blues can look forward to 3 points although last weeks victory over Hull has taken a bit of pressure off, but defeat would put it straight back on I think. City on the other hand can't really think past 3 points tomorrow. They should have the fire power to see off Burnley although I think my favoured result would be a City win here and a Burnely win at the Turf. 3 points each should aid both clubs respective different campaigns.