Training 25/8

[Douglas Higginbottom]

A sunny day for a change and I counted 25 players involved in the training this morning , including Silvinho. Quite a few regular reserves involved but notable inclusions were Alex Nimley and Robbie Mak. The first warm up routine had a number of players creating a large circle with all the rest jogging around receiving balls from the outside crew and heading or volleying the balls back.
At one time the person throwing the ball had to nominate whether it should be headed or caught and thrown back and the recieving player had to do the opposite.

All about fun and coordination and at times it was a great laugh to see them almost like kids in a playground having fun and winding each other up. The same with other routines and especially the keep ball circle which had been made smaller to try to get the passing sharper which seemed to be working. NDJ really seems to enjoy himself but to be fair the whole squad were in fantastic spirits and that includes Rigsby.

Talking to Eddie N early on there was clearly some tiredness on saturday after the Barca trip which was not at all helped by a delay on the runway coming home. In 45 degree temperatures they were held up for an 90 minutes! Part of the football work today was on patience when confronted by a wall of defenders, something they know they will face a lot and perhaps we were not good at against Wolves in the 2nd half. One or two knocks during training but nothing looked remotely serious

The best goal scored in this part was by Toure who headed home from a Ben Mee cross.He does like to break forward and won't it be great to see that somewhere this year. Shay made a some great saves ( of course) to frustrate the strikers and generally all looked well

Whilst all this was going on Michael Johnson and RSC were working close by with physios and watching longingly when they took breathers. MJ is looking pretty fit and might be slightly ahead of RSC in terms of making a comeback. RSC probably is 2 weeks still before making it to full training with the main group but looking fine. As they dispersed some came to the watching fans and signed autographs and last but not least Hughes came and did the same.I was trying to get a quick word with MB whilst this was going on and MH then joined us but it really was a very quick hello how's it going chat. In fact on reflection maybe MH was making sure MB didn't say anything he shouldnt and moved him on quickly. As if.Or maybe they just left quickly when Lewis made some sarki comment about at least you didn't slip over on Saturday. I might have to gag Lewis in future

[Surrey Sky Blue]

Cheers Doglas a good read as always. Good to hear Johnno is looking fitter.

[john@staustell]

25th Doug innit? Maybe you ought to add the day in to stop all this confusion?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Already changed. My proof reader has been sacked though

[Blueboylewis]

Hey Roy, Hughes deserved the comment. He shouldent have fallen over. I will haunt Hughes over that for the rest of his career here! only joking. He has got his own things to concentrate on. But yes a very good session today and the boys look very very happy.

Lewis

[DoomMerchant]

Dougie and BBL at training...you guys are quite a crew:

[steveo_88]

Thanks alot Doug, i've been going crazy in Valencia, the rolling blackouts mean little access to any info on city!

[Blue Blood]

cheers for the report doug, class as usual :D

any word on whether lescott will be finalised today?

[BmoreBlue]

cheers doug, read of the day as always - any news on kompany, and when he might be back training?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

No news on Lescott but I am sure it will be done v v soon.
Re Kompany we haven't seen him outside yet but they did say last week he was quite a bit ahead of schedule. Seeing as it was to be 2 months it was probably down to one which means 3 weeks at least to go.

[BmoreBlue]

so 3 weeks until he starts training or 3 weeks until he's ready to be used as a sub in a game?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

so 3 weeks until he starts training or 3 weeks until he's ready to be used as a sub in a game?

Full training I would say as the plan but then it's aweek from there. But as he is recovering quicker than expected plus mad keen to play I am sure he will try to get back quicker.

[craigmcfc]

Thanks again Doug, really hoping a fit again MJ is just around the corner

[carolina-blue]

Thanks Doug & BBL , Great to hear Rigsby in good spirits .

[Twobob]

Thanks Doug and your Little Elf! ;-)

So how did Silvinho Look in training?

[citytillidiematt]

Thanks for that Doug good to here that all the players are fit. How did Silvinho look?

[10.Goater_Legend]

Nice one Doug.

[Piccsnumberoneblue]

Rubbish report as always Doug.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Thanks for that Doug good to here that all the players are fit. How did Silvinho look?

I think he looked like a little pixie! Absolutely fine.
He fitted in instantly as we have plenty in the team that speak his lingo and no doubt knows quite a few already. How fit he is wasn't easy to see and he didn't stay for the football practice after the warm ups which might indicate he isn't ready for a game yet.