This week we have teamed up with Paul at Bert Trautmann’s neck to share thoughts on Sunday’s game.  To see my answers to his questions click here.

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How did you come to follow Man City?

My Mum and Dad signed me up for City’s Junior Blues before I was born, so I guess I’d blame the parents! I was born in Longsight and most kids in our street were City fans.

My First City Game was in the 60s and away (sort off), just down the road at Stockport, where City played Stockport County and I could barely see over the concrete wall at the edge of the pitch. My Mum lifted me up and a nice copper gave me a wink and turned a blind eye to me dangling my legs over the top of it.

I remember Jonny Price, a County winger, dramatically rolling around as I think Tommy Booth put in a crunching tackle. Hearing thousands of travelling City fans singing throughout the game and seeing players like Franny Lee, Colin Bell and Mike Summerbee up close was pure magic and I spent the next weeks nagging my mum for a Franny Lee poster and to go to Maine Road.

That Christmas the poster was up in my bedroom and I saw City play Everton at Maine Road. My cousin tried to persuade me to support a certain red team, tempting me with a George Best card, but I forcefully declined and so the roller coaster started – it’s definitely on the up now.

What’s been your favourite game / most significant memory in supporting the club?

So many memories, highs and lows in supporting City, the 76 League Cup final and Dennis Tueart’s overhead goal, Dickov and the emotion of our play off final and promotion from League 1, Bananamania, a new manager every week at times and always living in the shadows of illustrious neighbors.

How do you feel about Manchester City’s current squad / management / owner?

If you had told me 5 years ago, we’d be on the edge of the Champions League, have more money than any other club in the world, have players like Adebayor, Tevez, Barry, Given in the team – I would have thought you’d seriously had a few too many Easter Eggs. I’m still expecting to wake up and find it all a dream. Honestly I think the owner is incredibly supportive and investing everywhere not just the first team, but infrastructure and giving plenty back to the fans. Perish the thought we could have the Glazers.

I’m fully behind whoever is in charge. I felt Hughes should have been given more time and now hope that we stick with a manager for 3 seasons with the full support of the owners. Mancini is a proven winner and has what it takes to build a real solid team – I want him to have a longer shot than Hughes, but with so much money behind the club I fear he might be another Avram Grant if we don’t get 4th spot.

Do you worry that a lot of your players are just there for the money and don’t really care too much about playing for City?

The only people who truly care about clubs these days are you and me – fans! It is sad that loyalty from players has pretty much gone, but so long as they work hard and give it everything when they pull on the shirt (like Mr Tevez) then I’m happy at that.

Hopes for the rest of the season and for next?

I hope that we can scrape that 4th spot as it opens up even more doors. Top players want to play for clubs in high profile competitions and games and Champions League qualification, will undoubtedly see City going in for 1-2 more top names. Well for next season, I’d like to see us win something and challenge even more strongly in the top 4, but heck I’ve supported City over 40 years – I can wait.

How did you get into blogging about Manchester City?

I always used to read fanzines like Chips n Gravy and King of the Kippax outside Maine Road, so those had some influence, but I guess we’re all referees, we’re all managers and everyone one of us has kicked a ball. Football is a game of passion and opinion and I thought I’d share them on the blog rather than forums.

What are your thoughts / expectations of the game against Birmingham?

I would expect a very difficult 2-1 home victory, but Birmingham are doing well, have had great results at St Andrews against all the top teams and are sure to be well organised and difficult to break down – in fact this game could easily be a banana skin for us..

Any views on England at the World Cup?

Well England are a little bit like that red shower down the road – a bit too dependent upon Rooney, but if he stays fit and given the draw we should be good to reach the quarters or semis and then probably get knocked out on penalties. Here’s hoping this time football does come home.