http://baltimore.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/2010/05/10/daily18.html
They are coming to town. Lots to do. Lots of bandwagons to burn and then rebuild and embrace. I have a feeling the dynamic at the pub next year will be a bit different — I have to honestly say that I miss the days when there were just 3 or less City fans. I don’t think I can take a slew of dozens more that I’ve never seen…
But as MiniMourinho would say – [sic] “I saw the same thing happen with Chelsea. Just embrace it…”
With that said – I am almost glad we didn’t reach the Champions League in our first attempt. Why? Well… it may be a bit selfish and even a small sign of insecurity but I don’t think we are ready. I don’t think we were ready as fans or as a team. Watching the Chelsea boys (and ladies) sing to their beloved Blues on Sunday made me realize that if this had happened to City it would have been a disaster. It would have been hodge-podged at best and I would have been totally annoyed by anything that wasn’t organized or well done. I would have been upset that we all didn’t know the same songs, that we only had 3 songs, and that Roscoe, Johnny from Karate Kid, and Mini would all make fun of us for such… Anyway – it’s time to up our game as fans. Else – I’ll just recluse back to the days when I was the only die hard fan and leave the kids to play by themselves on the other side of the bar.
I want the songs. I want the history. But – you CAN’T get it NOW – all the time. I like that we get another year to a) play a full season under 1 manager and b) let him have HIS own transfer window and c) play in Europe on a 2 game per week schedule.
Let’s face it – if City had made the Champions League we would have been THE MOST HATED team on Earth. We would have bought Torres, possibly Gerrard, Joe Cole, Huddlestone, Modric, Buffon, the Area 51 Alien, Cindy Crawford, and President Obama to play left back… and you know what? We would have been hated -
Being hated is not what City has ever been about. Although I may be one of the most “acquired tastes” of fans to accept – a real City fan and a City mentality have always been one of underdog tones. It’s always been scrappy and background. Now that has all changed… And don’t get me wrong… I welcome that change. But like with everything that is radical – it’s best to give it time to grow.
I think this next year is exactly what we needed in our natural maturation.
That brings us back to the game here on July 31st. 3 years ago this game would have developed mild success – but today – and I think this is something we should all be proud of… today – this game is a MUST for City fans, United, Chelsea, Scouse, Arsenal and the like – because we want to see it all – and the good news is — especially in Baltimore — we actually DO get to see it all together.
World Cup next though —…
