A successful campaign.

[Blue Since 76]

Mr 68
I understand your enjoy it whilst it's happening principle, however at xmas, blackpool were around the top 4 and yet they could get relegated. We were in the lead after the first game of last year's semi but ultimately lost. Enjoying it on the way is fine, but surely the end product is also important, probably more so?
As for the 8th best season in terms of points, great. However it's our most expensive squad ever, even taking into account football inflation. Looking at that, you could also say it's been an abject failure, which would be harsh, but an equally subjective view of a statistic. As you speak of enjoyment, is it the 8th most enjoyable season ever?

[carl_feedthegoat]

Carl,
There are 2 possibilities at Wembley, we win, we lose. That's it, no draws or shared trophies. I understand fully that either is a possibility but based on the evidence at hand, we are the favourites to win, we have better players and a better playing record than Stoke. Stoke will also be missing 3 crucially important players. it is therefore reasonable to consider that City could or should be victorious. I'm pretty comfortable with that....so should you be.
Why are you so bent on looking for the nightmare scenario? When projecting City's chances, why do you always look at only the negative possibilities? Why do you never comment about any of the positive possibiliies that may happen to City?

Your banging on about a successful season when in all reality it hasn't been until it has been......as I have said , I am confident but I am not doing what you are doing and that's celebrating a season that has not been defined yet.

[john68]

"ET TU PADDY?"
Health beneficial my arse...Since when did being frightened of the future or focussing on possible but improbable nightmare scenarios actually benefit anyone's health?
Consider this...Our inconsistancy has at present been good enough to get into our present position, relative to the inconsistancy of those teams around us. In what way is it rational to consider that, with a few games to go, all that will change and suddenly our form will dip, whilst those teams around us will suddenly improve.
...and what fucling disaster???

When you go out on the piss Mate...Do you order a fire engine to sit outside your house just in case, in the unlikely but possible event of the kitchen table spontaneously combusting whilst you are out? Do you fucl...You'd be a idiot if you did. So why the fucl do you find it necessary to do similar with your emotions in the unlikely but possible event of the World opening up and City sliding into some bottomless abyss?

Gerrraovit yer soft tart!!!!!!

[john68]

Blue Since76,
1...What the fucl has money got to do with anything? You sound like those idiot sportswriters from the rag media who simplistically use that false equation as a tool to batter us with. I will tell you again....and again...Money is only a small factor in any success. there are far more factors in attaining success than the amount we have spent. Money simply buys buys a better class of player to work with and allow those other factors to come together. So fforget the comment about expensively assembled squad...it is nonsense.
2...Where did I suggest that 8th is th most enjoyable season ever? Your words not mine. I clearly posted that; at present, this was the 8th most successful season in the league, considering the nimber of seasons we had been in competition.
3...Yet another one who can consider only a negative outcome...Anyone with an ounce of sense would realise that Blackpool with their poor resources and poor squad quality were punching well above their weight. It was entirely reasonable to think that at some point they may start to fail. So no shocks there then?
What has our semi against the rags last season got to with it and why do you find it necessary to only dig up a negative scenario? Is it not more reasonable to take the evidence from this season, over all ther games we have played and consider that we have competed successfully enough to gain enough points to currently sit in 4th, with a chance of challenging for 3rd.

What are you lot so fuclin scared of?

[dazby]

They're scared of success John. They're just not used to it.

[tchumatu]

This may suprise some of you who seem so bloody hard to please.
When assessing whether this season is currently a success or not, it might be enlightening to look at it in the context of our club's history. The table below shows City's top 10 League seasons, based on the points per game average that we achieved. This season is currently the 8th best ever in our illustrious history. It may be worth noting that in that list of successful seasons, we only appeared in the Cup Final once before.

1....1968....2........1
2....1905....1.94....3
3....1972....1.9......4
4....1937....1.88....1
5....1920....1.86....2
6....1904....1.85....2....FA CUP WINNERS
7....1977....1.83....2
8....2011....1.78....4....FA CUP FINAL
9....2010....1.76....5
10...1978....1.71....4

Considering we are still a developing side, I reckon this season should at least satisfy even the hardest to please.

While I totally agree with the fact that we should feel optimistic about this season as things stand at the moment, I think it's worth pointing out that if we compare this season to the last one after 33 games played, then 2010 would show a return of 1.87 points per game compared to 1.78 in 2011. That would place last season on 5th, according to the list above. What I'm saying is that these final 5 games in the Premier League are extremely important, and, as others said, there's no reason we should open the champagne (yet).

[john68]

Mr Tchumatu,
I will again reiterate that I am not celebrating anything yet, nor have i even considered buying the champagne, let alone opening it. I am well aware that season isn't over and I have even posted on here that there will be twists and turns before the last day. That point is quite clear and has been made many times.

The reason I posted that table was to show that in amidst all the talk of managers being clueless, players being hopeless, nightmare scenarios and a season of disaster, what we have actually experienced up til now in terms of league results has been up historically up there with some of the best. May I point out that the last 2 seasons have gained us more success in the league that all but 2 of the mercer/Allison seasons, which have been celebrated by city fans for the last 40 odd years.

These are good times....I think they'll get better...and talk of disaster and nightmare scenarios, reflect the fears within fans, rather than the reality of the times we are living through.

That's all.

[carl_feedthegoat]

Celebration licker.

[Patrick]

"ET TU PADDY?"
Health beneficial my arse...Since when did being frightened of the future or focussing on possible but improbable nightmare scenarios actually benefit anyone's health?
Consider this...Our inconsistancy has at present been good enough to get into our present position, relative to the inconsistancy of those teams around us. In what way is it rational to consider that, with a few games to go, all that will change and suddenly our form will dip, whilst those teams around us will suddenly improve.
...and what fucling disaster???

When you go out on the piss Mate...Do you order a fire engine to sit outside your house just in case, in the unlikely but possible event of the kitchen table spontaneously combusting whilst you are out? Do you fucl...You'd be a idiot if you did. So why the fucl do you find it necessary to do similar with your emotions in the unlikely but possible event of the World opening up and City sliding into some bottomless abyss?

Gerrraovit yer soft tart!!!!!!

My health? My fucling health? Since when have city been good for my health? Keeping a level Head, fearing the worst, yet hoping, neh praying for the best is prudence that city has taught me over the years.

[john68]

"ET TU PADDY?"
Health beneficial my arse...Since when did being frightened of the future or focussing on possible but improbable nightmare scenarios actually benefit anyone's health?
Consider this...Our inconsistancy has at present been good enough to get into our present position, relative to the inconsistancy of those teams around us. In what way is it rational to consider that, with a few games to go, all that will change and suddenly our form will dip, whilst those teams around us will suddenly improve.
...and what fucling disaster???

When you go out on the piss Mate...Do you order a fire engine to sit outside your house just in case, in the unlikely but possible event of the kitchen table spontaneously combusting whilst you are out? Do you fucl...You'd be a idiot if you did. So why the fucl do you find it necessary to do similar with your emotions in the unlikely but possible event of the World opening up and City sliding into some bottomless abyss?

Gerrraovit yer soft tart!!!!!!

My health? My fucling health? Since when have city been good for my health? Keeping a level Head, fearing the worst, yet hoping, neh praying for the best is prudence that city has taught me over the years.

Nurse...nurse...NURSE!!!!....More medication for Paddy....That last lot's wore off!!!....:-)

[Blue Since 76]

Blue Since76,

1...What the fucl has money got to do with anything? You sound like those idiot sportswriters from the rag media who simplistically use that false equation as a tool to batter us with. I will tell you again....and again...Money is only a small factor in any success. there are far more factors in attaining success than the amount we have spent. Money simply buys buys a better class of player to work with and allow those other factors to come together. So fforget the comment about expensively assembled squad...it is nonsense.

Money isn't everything, but tell me the last 'cheap' squad to win the league? I can't remember one, so the reason we've done badly until recently, is we've been relatively poor. Pre-premier league, we were up there with the big spenders, but still did rubbish, which proves your point that isn't everything, however, you need money and a talented manager - something we've not had in a long time.

2...Where did I suggest that 8th is th most enjoyable season ever? Your words not mine. I clearly posted that; at present, this was the 8th most successful season in the league, considering the nimber of seasons we had been in competition.

You didn't, but you were talking about enjoying the journey and I was merely pointing out that league position/points don't necessarily make for enjoyment, although enjoyment doesn't necessarily bring success either.

3...Yet another one who can consider only a negative outcome...Anyone with an ounce of sense would realise that Blackpool with their poor resources and poor squad quality were punching well above their weight. It was entirely reasonable to think that at some point they may start to fail. So no shocks there then?

Blackpool were clearly doing better than expected till xmas, as Hull did previously and we did under Sven. It was an example regarding a snapshot of the season doesn't mean anything until the last game has been played. Therefore, at the moment, sitting clear in 4th and in an FA Cup final would look a pretty good season. Losing finalists and 5th would be a comparative disaster, especially 5th with the FFP rules coming.

What has our semi against the rags last season got to with it and why do you find it necessary to only dig up a negative scenario? Is it not more reasonable to take the evidence from this season, over all ther games we have played and consider that we have competed successfully enough to gain enough points to currently sit in 4th, with a chance of challenging for 3rd.

Correct, we have enough points to be sitting clear 4th with only a handful of games to go, a position I'm sure most of us would have taken last July. My initial responses were really in relation to the original thread which seemed a bit premature.

What are you lot so fuclin scared of?

City. Not really surprising is it, when, for most of us, every time we've seen the shoots of something positive, it goes wrong. Last season's carling cup semi was a prime example, or Everton this year, when win a home game and you're top for Xmas and we don't turn up till we're 2-0 down. I actually think spurs will lose this weekend and we'll then win, putting us 7 points and a better goal difference clear. We'll then lose to Everton whilst Spurs win (4 points), draw at home with Spurs (4 points, 6 left to play for) and they will then fail to beat Liverpool, meaning a point against Stoke or Bolton and we've definitely made it. So I'm quietly confident at the moment, but football's never predictable. Whether you look on the bright side or not is down to personality, but I think we're all in agreement that getting the Champions League Winners 2012 tattoo is perhaps premature.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

John, our wisdom is almost beyond doubt and then you go and say summat bloody stupid,like that the money is only a small part of it.
Funny how successful sides all seem to have a ton of cash these days. Must be a coincidence.

[john68]

John, our wisdom is almost beyond doubt and then you go and say summat bloody stupid,like that the money is only a small part of it.
Funny how successful sides all seem to have a ton of cash these days. Must be a coincidence.

Piccs,
I apologise if I failed to make my point clear enough.
You are correct to say that all successful clubs have money, I never suggested otherwise...But it is NOT true to say that all sides with money are successful. There are many other factors that need to be in place before a side can be successful mate. The higher you go, the less that money is a factor, simply because all your rivals will have lots of it in abundance. Therefore as you go higher, money becomes even less of a factor in success. It is those other factors that make the difference between ultimate success or ultimate failure.

.....and me???...stupid????....How very dare you....:-)

[john68]

Blue Since 76,

1...I refer you to my reply to Piccs above. Your reply however seems to agrree with my point though.
2...You are right, I never said that.
3...Your answer, whilst factually correct proves the point I am making. My criticism was that you are only considering negative outcomes. I don't deny they exist. To prove your point, you did exactly what I accused you of...You only considered negative outcomes.
4...You agree with me...thanks.
5...You prove a point I have made many times. You admit to being scared of City due to the failures of the past and your view of City's immediate future is purely down to your own personality traits. I genuinely thank you for your honesty about that.

My whole point has been that our failures of the past were for reasons that no longer exist. Take away that personal fear and all you have is the evidence that our form has taken us to 4th with a possible challenge for 4th and a Cup Final. Which bit of that is disaster or nightmare?

[DoomMerchant]

@ Doomie,

Life, as are most things in it, is a journey where the ultimate destination is death. Do you wait until the point of death until you judge whether you have enjoyed or are satisfied with your life? Or do sometimes take a little time out during that life to assess your satisfaction or enjoyment?
As with life, so with football. It is quite in order to look at the point we have reached, take a little time out and assess its progress. It would be rather silly not to enjoy our life as it happens...and so with football. Why should we need to wait until the season has died before saying "That was good?" Is is not better to look at the moment and say "This is good?" Enjoying the journey is important. Fearing the future and looking for carl's nightmare scenarios is friuitless.

This season so far is the 8th best ever in our history. Seeking to diminish your perception of it by saying it is only slightly better than last season, is ridiculous. Last season was the 9th best ever in our history and as such, was not as bad a season as many would have us think.

....and Carl, I'm not jumping up and down with delight mate. I am merely pointing out that as it stands, we are doing ok and there is no real reason why we should be looking for nightmare scenarios or a collapse of form or any other fuclin tragedy that might beset us. It is quite reasonable to suppose that the season will continue in a similar vein and we shall probably lift the Cup, finish well clear of Spurs and hopefully challenge Arsenal for 3rd.

John,

i've enjoyed a shitload of stuff in the last couple seasons, and feel really fortunate about the position we are in from a macro perspective as a City fan.

However, i'd be delusional if i said that i felt this season was "already" a success based on what we've done so far. it has been 'successful' but we could, literally, shit the bed at the 11th hour. Will we? i doubt we will fucl up on both fronts -- the Cup and the League -- but you just never know. Life is funny.

I expect, and i mean that, i *expect* us to win the FA Cup and finish *at least* 4th. Anything less than that and i'll honestly be disappointed right now. Might sound spoiled, but the reality is we've done the hard work to put ourselves in this position, let's not lose focus now.

Also, i do enjoy a lot of moments in my personal life as well John....i'm not just wired up to be a nabob of negativity. In fact, you might say i have a slightly hedonistic streak. I can do existential as an excuse for a lot of things that make me happy, which don't hurt others. Allegedly.

City have a tough row to hoe. And i feel quietly confident, but don't want to seem arrogant.

[john68]

Doomie
We have played 33 games of a 38 game season, (I understand that it is not yet over), we now sit in 4th with a possibility of a challenge for 3rd and we have beaten (eventually) those teams put in front of us to get to the FA Cup Final. In the League, we have earned and won the right to mix it with the big boys at the top and on the way to the final, we beat the team currently sat at the top and likely to be competing for the title of European champions...We have earned that Mate.

But...God Bless yer Doomie...despite what we have already achieved...yerv gone and done it again. Yes, we could still shit the bed at the 1th hour and you are right to note this...but...it is NOT the only possibility is it? So why do you point out out the negative but exclude the positive possibility?

Despite what City seem to do, there is a group on here who constantly only accentuate the negative possibilities. they diminish their enjoyment of the moment by their fear of the future.

[Tokyo Blue]

"A successful campaign"?

Success is relative.

[DoomMerchant]

Doomie
We have played 33 games of a 38 game season, (I understand that it is not yet over), we now sit in 4th with a possibility of a challenge for 3rd and we have beaten (eventually) those teams put in front of us to get to the FA Cup Final. In the League, we have earned and won the right to mix it with the big boys at the top and on the way to the final, we beat the team currently sat at the top and likely to be competing for the title of European champions...We have earned that Mate.

But...God Bless yer Doomie...despite what we have already achieved...yerv gone and done it again. Yes, we could still shit the bed at the 1th hour and you are right to note this...but...it is NOT the only possibility is it? So why do you point out out the negative but exclude the positive possibility?

Despite what City seem to do, there is a group on here who constantly only accentuate the negative possibilities. they diminish their enjoyment of the moment by their fear of the future.

dude, read what i wrote I expect, fuclin expect us to win the FA Cup. I expect us to be in the CL. That's about as positive as a person can be i think. I'm not going to be satisfied if we don't achieve both really. I am not focused on the negative...but just pointing out that i don't believe this season can be called a "success" when it's, wait for it, NOT FUCLIN OVER. :)

also, spurs. that is all.

cheers

[john68]

So...if yer not being negative, it doesn't fuclin apply to you does it?...Daft Septic!!!

But if yer not being negative, why the fucl did you flag up that the "shit could still hit the fan"...whilst ignoring that we might go ion a wonderful end of season run and batter the living daylights our of everyone?...Just as possible....miserable git!!!

[carl_feedthegoat]

So...if yer not being negative, it doesn't fuclin apply to you does it?...Daft Septic!!!

But if yer not being negative, why the fucl did you flag up that the "shit could still hit the fan"...whilst ignoring that we might go ion a wonderful end of season run and batter the living daylights our of everyone?...Just as possible....miserable git!!!

Are you a premature celebrationary licker?..I think we should be told..just for the record like.