Back to a "normal" training session at Carrington today all behind the fences. Also back was Robinho and he was welcomed onto the field with a round of applause from all the players and Mancini and co as well. This in front of a host of photographers invited in for any pictures they wanted for 20 minutes or so.
I was left behind the fencing with a lone cameraman and about a zillion midges.It really wasn't the most pleasant situation and the cameraman being a scum fan was miserable as well.After a bit of jogging and stretching they went in to the usual keep ball circles and I have to say they were having a little bit too much fun which must have annoyed Mancini intensely:) Yaya seemed to get a knock in this session but after a little treatment ran it off.
He then took 10 away to another pitch behing different fencing but it was possibly the 10 for Thursday and only included 3 of the team from the Pool match;
Richards,Boyata,Vinnie,Zaba
SWP,Nigel,Patrick,Silva
Jo,Ade
Maybe though lining up as a 4.4.1.1 with Silva behind Ade and Jo on the left side.All they did was pass the ball around a la Monday night for 5 minutes before Mancini gathered them in all in a penalty area to confirm the positions they will take.
After that it was back to the rest of the players and they had a game of hand ball where goals could only be scored with a header.The only goals I can recall were from Jo , who wheeled away in delight and an equaliser from Carlos but yet again they had a lot of fun in this exercise so it's a growing problem. Yaya missed one clear chance by heading the ball miles over and he screamed in anguish followed by everyone else screaming laughing.
Then it was onto a one or two touch pass and move game with 2 five a side goals each to score in.At half time in this Vinnie was adamant that his side were 4 nil up and not at all happy that Mancini and scorekeeper Lombardo decided it was 1.1 and some of the goals Vinnie's lot had scored were deemed not valid.He wanst a happy bunny but most of the others thought it was a great laugh.Robinho scored his first training goal on his return right near the end after a quick one two.
During this exercise the most vocal coach was clearly Kiddo, encouraging first time passing where possible but also to keep the ball moving quickly at all times as well as switching the play.
It wasn't a long session today and after just under an hour the players who started Monday did some warmimg down jogs before most went in whilst the rest played a 5 a side game. One or two stayed out just to watch this and Mancini took Richards aside to chat with him and point out some tactical defensive stuff and Kidd was having a little chat with Yaya.
The highpoint of this last work out was David Silva. As it was just 5 a side with some space to work in he looked great and scored some top goals much to Shay's annoyance.I think it would be fair to say I have seen Shay happier.
Last thoughts were no sign of MJ , Robi looked and trained fine and I hope I don't get dengue fever.
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