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Still no Nigel and also Milner today but Micah was back along with Silva. Bridge was doing some 1 to 1 stuff , Kolarov I was told was also around and in kit so probably doing the same as Bridge but inside and today no Balotelli at all.

All the usual warm up type bits and pieces followed by a kind of game without keepers but 3 sets of posts at each end to score through and extra points for scoring through the middle ones. That's what it looked like anyway and it was quite competitive.AJ and Tevez scoring the ones I saw.Mancini then took all the defenders away to work with. 7 of them today and the first 4 he used were Zaba,Vinnie,Lescott and Boateng. Maybe the 4 for Thursday and Mancini as ever worked personally with them mostly on positional play.

Then he switched this group for all the attack and midfield players. The initial set up was Yaya,Vieira,Barry with a front 3 of AJ/Ade and Tevez. Again who knows as he did change that to involve Jo and SWP but again Mancini worked on how he wants the ball moving around with emphasis on the striker dropping in a little to link play and spinning into the box to join others already making runs.

After about 10 minutes it was all back together for a final match of 10 a side on half a pitch. Micah wasnt involved in this as he was working separately. Just before this Les Chapman came out with some new socks for Carlos. Clearly a favourite amongst the players and a fun moment when he got onto a ball and set off for goal shouting something about scoring at Wembley.

Nothing too much in the match apart from a dodgy moment when SWP made a great run behind the defence but just as he realised he wouldnt get the ball he put the brakes on but lost his footing.He slid straight into Shay and cleaned him out.It could have been nasty but after a brief limp they were both fine.Plenty of situations in the game where players had to draw out of tackles they would have nailed in a game I am sure but still competitive nonetheless and even towards the end I felt there was an edge to it.

Barry scored one neat goal past Joe but it seemed nothing could beat Shay.Right at the end a brilliant run by Tevez with fantastic feet to get past 2 players on the run finished with a shot just over. He wasn't happy as shown when he booted the post in frustration. The only one left when they went in was RSC practicing finishing.

Was MJ out today Doug? If so, how did he look?

Sounds like the injury situation is a little better (touch wood)

Great report Doug once again.

It is interesting that Mancini always does a lot of work one to one and in groups on positional play and considerations. i have to say that i think it is obvious that has paid off since he has been here, as we are far and away better in that department all over the pitch. Interesting also that he continues to do that week in week out, as though he knows it can never be taken for granted and must be worked at every day to maintain the standards.

RSC spending extra time practising his finishing?! I'm amazed lol

Cheers Doug.

brite blu sky wrote:Great report Doug once again.

It is interesting that Mancini always does a lot of work one to one and in groups on positional play and considerations. i have to say that i think it is obvious that has paid off since he has been here, as we are far and away better in that department all over the pitch. Interesting also that he continues to do that week in week out, as though he knows it can never be taken for granted and must be worked at every day to maintain the standards.

Exactly that.Whatever the group of players he has he seems to work similar routines,movements,positional play so that it really gets home. It shouldnt matter much whoever is in the team as they all should know what he expects.

Thai wrote:Was MJ out today Doug? If so, how did he look?

Yes he was there taking a full part which is a good sign. He looked alright ,nothing special today.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

brite blu sky wrote:Great report Doug once again.

It is interesting that Mancini always does a lot of work one to one and in groups on positional play and considerations. i have to say that i think it is obvious that has paid off since he has been here, as we are far and away better in that department all over the pitch. Interesting also that he continues to do that week in week out, as though he knows it can never be taken for granted and must be worked at every day to maintain the standards.

Exactly that.Whatever the group of players he has he seems to work similar routines,movements,positional play so that it really gets home. It shouldnt matter much whoever is in the team as they all should know what he expects.

I cant help but think this is a very good technique and as you point out everyone then gets used to it.. full squad and EDS. Bodes well for the future in my book. Will help players like Micah and may be one reason Boyata slots in so seamlessly.

Thanks Doug - as always.

I assume the team spirit was on a high after the weekend?

Cheers Doug, could you tell what positions the back four were in when Mancini worked with them? I take it Lescott was central, Was Boateng or Zabba on the right?

Thanks for the report as always:-)

What the hell is going on with Balotelli? He not even in England anymore? Last I heard he was in contention for Chelsea-match and now he has not been at carrington for like a week:-(

Fesan wrote:Thanks for the report as always:-)

What the hell is going on with Balotelli? He not even in England anymore? Last I heard he was in contention for Chelsea-match and now he has not been at carrington for like a week:-(

Sounding like 2 months maybe before he is back.

Murph wrote:Cheers Doug, could you tell what positions the back four were in when Mancini worked with them? I take it Lescott was central, Was Boateng or Zabba on the right?

Zaba right

Good report, gutted to hear about Balotelli though. Miserable memories of Bojinov the unlucky, spring to mind again.

Cheers Doug, that sounds like a nice line up for Juve at home