I am sure it's getting warmer :) Out they came at 1pm today the reserves first , then keepers and then the rest. Tough for the reserves as they only get a small area to work in on the far side of the underesoil heated pitch but they can do all sorts of routines and plenty of 5 a side stuff.
The first team squad were still missing Ireland/Bridge and Lescott but RSC was there today and also with the group were Boyata,Ibrahim and Weiss. Initial time was spent with Mancini leading the team around the field either with the ball in hand or passing it around to other coaches to get the team moving together. Clearly something he repeats to get it firmly into the heads about shape and moving as a team. Then a little playing in twos and threes to warm up a little more before they switched into 8 a side with 4 small nets set up. Tevez stayed out of this and just did some gentle work with 1 of the coaches.
After this half of the group went off to work on some touch routines whilst what I assume is tomorrow's team stayed on the main pitch to work exclusively with Mancini. Again a lot on movements and shape as the ball was switched around but also with the attacking players on their movements when we win the ball back and how the midfield should support the front players.Somehow I just forget what that team was but I might remember just in time to post before the match tomorrow :)
After a while of this a bunch of new players were brought in to go through some of the same things for a short while.Then Mancini brought in some of the reserves as he wanted them to provide the attacking threat so they could work on corners and free kicks. Not too many and mostly on the defensive roles for the players. Mancini personally speaking with players about the positions he wanted them in. A couple of funny moment in this were where Robinho took a free kick and hit it long over everyone's head.Mancini shouted across to ask if he was actually Brazilian!
Another cross which went too far was crossed back in for Micah to score what should have been a very easy goal but he hit Shay Given who was trying to get out of the way of the 4 yard attempt. Shay gave him a right mouthful , all in good fun.
As usual they finished with a number of them doing free kick and finishing practice. Garrido and Petrov doing free kicks on one side with weiss and Bellers on the other.The best today was Petrov with Garrido slightly off for a change. RSC,Vinnie and Micah ( yes Micah) were doing some finishing work and not surprisingly RSC was the best. Micah managed to hit the mannequins which actually stoppoed the ball going towards the corner flag!
Brian Kidd was collecting balls from the end I was at and asked me if I had heard anything on the radio about the match being on tomorrow. That suggests the decision isn't fully in the clubs hands.
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