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Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:31 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
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.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:36 pm
by Kladze
Great report Doug - thanks :-)

Happy City players eh? Who'd have thought it possible?

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:38 pm
by saulman
Excellent report, Doug. Thanks.

Sounds like the team spirit is going to become a major problem with the press.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:46 pm
by Mark (Blue Army)
Top report Doug, cheers

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 12:49 pm
by Thai
Thanks Doug - as always a great read.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:36 pm
by brite blu sky
Really good report Doug especially as you were dodging the midges.
interesting line up you put down. I was thinking about who may start tomorrow and like Sat it is almost impossible to second guess who may play and where. The only player i cant see missing is deJong, as Zabba, Vinnie or PV sound like weak options compared to the kung-fu king in his position.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:47 pm
by lets all have a disco
Doug and BBL head off for training.

Image

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:51 pm
by london blue 2
Cheers Doug, sound like Robinho actually gets on with someof the staff... I know it's been asked but from what you've witnessed/heard do you think there could be a future for him here?

I know I shouldn't like him but I just do. Bit like Josie from BB.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 1:51 pm
by brite blu sky
is that Chuckle 1 in the bushes ?

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:01 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
london blue 2 wrote:Cheers Doug, sound like Robinho actually gets on with someof the staff... I know it's been asked but from what you've witnessed/heard do you think there could be a future for him here?

I know I shouldn't like him but I just do. Bit like Josie from BB.



I have only seen Robinho out training once this year so there's no way I could say from that. I do see it as possible that nobody will come in with a serious offer for him so he might stay.Whether he would be in the 25 though is a different question.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:27 pm
by dazby
Doug, can I get you to check out what sort of role PV is playing in the training sessions please? Are there signs he is moving into coaching? Are there signs he's right on the outer? How do the other players respond to him?

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:33 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
dazby wrote:Doug, can I get you to check out what sort of role PV is playing in the training sessions please? Are there signs he is moving into coaching? Are there signs he's right on the outer? How do the other players respond to him?


He is just one of the players and I havent seen a hint of anything else. Can't say I have seen anything special eitherin how they respond to him although from interviews people like Ibrahim have said how great it is to have him there to learn from.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 2:36 pm
by london blue 2
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
london blue 2 wrote:Cheers Doug, sound like Robinho actually gets on with someof the staff... I know it's been asked but from what you've witnessed/heard do you think there could be a future for him here?

I know I shouldn't like him but I just do. Bit like Josie from BB.



I have only seen Robinho out training once this year so there's no way I could say from that. I do see it as possible that nobody will come in with a serious offer for him so he might stay.Whether he would be in the 25 though is a different question.



Cheers Doug, if you bump into him tell him I said hello.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:25 pm
by Burt
Cheers Doug mate. These "happy players" reports are avin me laffin my nadgers orf after watchin that sky thingy on Sunday morning.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 3:30 pm
by steveo_88
Thanks for the report Doug and sorry about the midges and the human sized bluebottle.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:47 pm
by Murph
Cheers Doug, any news if Boateng is likely to be fit for Sunday?

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 8:51 pm
by Green & Blue
Good stuff Doug, really appreciate the effort you put in.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:21 pm
by carolina-blue
Top Top stuff Doug ..... Hhmmm Robinho really torn with this one great player on his day no doubt , But does he deserve a 25 spot over Bellers , different thread I suppose .

Thanks again Doug

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 9:46 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
Murph wrote:Cheers Doug, any news if Boateng is likely to be fit for Sunday?


Last I heard there was no chance of Sunday but maybe a fortnight after that.

Re: Training Wednesday 25/8

PostPosted: Wed Aug 25, 2010 10:25 pm
by trout man
Brilliant post Doug, it's great to read the honest version of club life, always interesting to read.