By Mark Deeks
January 22 2003

MAN CITY
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SATURDAY 18th JANUARY.

Kevin Keegan's return. The first in the Premiership. The fans' reaction a matter for discussion. I missed the 5th round FA cup tie last year, so this was the first time I'd has my chance to see the guy who gave us such an exhilirating ride in the 90s.

I know that I am probably in the minority of NUFC fans, but I've had a fall out with KK. "I'll never manage another English club" etc. I believed him, I really did. There was a special connection between him and the club, one which I didn't think would be broken. But as far as I'm concerned, it has. Yes I'm still grateful for the fun we had, the games we won, the goals we scored, the way we played. But for once, was it impossible to expect some loyalty in football? Apparently so.

What makes it worse is, I don't care much for the blue half of Manchester, never mind the red half. They're just a bunch of cocky upstarts with a seemingly irresistable urge to portray themselves as the club of the people etc, so we should all love them, just cos they're not Man U. Well no, sorry. Don't buy it.

I was there in plenty of time. Just as well. Super Al chased it down, and got the luck you sometimes earn when you don't give up the cause. Brilliant. Well done Super Al. And as the guys who sit just along from us started to chase each other in formation, along the concourse, with arms aloft, singing "Let's all copy Shearer", the laughs I laughed were long and loud. At last, thinks I, the hammering we've been threatening to dish out all season.

Well not exactly. In flashes there was brilliance. And on three or four occasions, I remember saying out loud "What a goal that would've been" as superb moves came to nothing at the last. But the goals never flowed, and we had to make do with Little Craig getting on the end of an excellent Robert cross (and we haven't been able to thank one of those enough this season!).

JJ gave another immense performance. He really is one of the star performers in the Premier League at the moment. His potential for turning into a top drawer all round midfielder has been well documented in these columns and he continues to get better. Super Al and Little Craig were excellent again up front, and decent performances from Bernard and Hughes were also valuable.

Another much appreciated three points, an above average performance, a bunch of upstarts sent packing (along with a guy I worshipped who really has gone down a bit in my estimations), and up to third in the table (still with a game in hand), and...... oh yeh.... the Mackems got beat again!

Keep the faith