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As yesterday nearly a full squad training today.Tevez back home and MJ inside but the rest in full training.( not sure what the setback is for MJ as I think the MEN have said a toe injury but whatever it is he hasnt trained outside for 2 weeks now). Mancini started with them all behind fencing and giving them all the usual chat before splitting them into two teams to work on 2 pitches away from prying eyes.Mancini worked with what will probably be the Wolves team but after 10 minutes or so he switched to work with the others.He really is keen to get his consistent messages across to them all.

Back out for a few work outs and keep ball circles. The spirit amongst them all seemed really good to me and there was no signs today that Kolo or Zaba needed special treatment. Mancini then took the Wolves 11 (or 12 actually) away for some more work behind fencing and left the rest for a 6 a side game. Played on a small pitch it was pretty competitive stuff which ended with one hell of a physical tussle between Vieira and Lescott . They landed on top of each other with no real winner but it was Lescott that was limping most:)

The groups then switched and the next 6 a side game was even more competitive and I think with a little more quality. Some great battles and most notable to me was Joe v Mario.Mario won this time with some great quality and plenty of cheek thrown in. He loved it and so will we if he can repeat some of it in matches.

Apart from Mario my pick of the players was probably Milner who found the net regularly as a contrast to yesterday and Barry I thought was also quality. Kolarov was playing for both sides and seemed desperate to score which he did eventually. Having said that he stayed back at the end taking shots from just outside the area and he looked superb. Mario also stayed a while to continue his battle with Joe.They were about even in this part but Mario still beat him with some fierce stuff.Nigel, as ever in training, scored a few and was regularly heard moaning at the refereeing decisions.

Overall it was quite an entertaining session once they came from behind the fencing so the watching group will have enjoyed it.I left as Milner came back to do some finishing against Joe and again was looking good. Kolarov went off to the hill for his final work and some of the coaches had a go at the cross bar challenge. Lombardo was quite good.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:As yesterday nearly a full squad training today.Tevez back home and MJ inside but the rest in full training.( not sure what the setback is for MJ as I think the MEN have said a toe injury but whatever it is he hasnt trained outside for 2 weeks now). Mancini started with them all behind fencing and giving them all the usual chat before splitting them into two teams to work on 2 pitches away from prying eyes.Mancini worked with what will probably be the Wolves team but after 10 minutes or so he switched to work with the others.He really is keen to get his consistent messages across to them all.

Back out for a few work outs and keep ball circles. The spirit amongst them all seemed really good to me and there was no signs today that Kolo or Zaba needed special treatment. Mancini then took the Wolves 11 (or 12 actually) away for some more work behind fencing and left the rest for a 6 a side game. Played on a small pitch it was pretty competitive stuff which ended with one hell of a physical tussle between Vieira and Lescott . They landed on top of each other with no real winner but it was Lescott that was limping most:)

The groups then switched and the next 6 a side game was even more competitive and I think with a little more quality. Some great battles and most notable to me was Joe v Mario.Mario won this time with some great quality and plenty of cheek thrown in. He loved it and so will we if he can repeat some of it in matches.

Apart from Mario my pick of the players was probably Milner who found the net regularly as a contrast to yesterday and Barry I thought was also quality. Kolarov was playing for both sides and seemed desperate to score which he did eventually. Having said that he stayed back at the end taking shots from just outside the area and he looked superb. Mario also stayed a while to continue his battle with Joe.They were about even in this part but Mario still beat him with some fierce stuff.Nigel, as ever in training, scored a few and was regularly heard moaning at the refereeing decisions.

Overall it was quite an entertaining session once they came from behind the fencing so the watching group will have enjoyed it.I left as Milner came back to do some finishing against Joe and again was looking good. Kolarov went off to the hill for his final work and some of the coaches had a go at the cross bar challenge. Lombardo was quite good.

Music to my ears, Doug. I was worried about him not settling.
Cheers.

I can't wait to see Kolorov and Balotelli in the team, I reckon it will freshen things up as well as giving us some new options.

Forza Balo!

The comments regarding players on the verge of returning reminded me that as we presently sit within touching distance of the top of the Prem and are proceeding well in the Europa league, we have done so without ever being able to call upon a full strength team.

Boateng has still to get up to full speed, Kolarov looks likely to start in the near future and Ballotelli is almost teady to be unleashed. All very positive stuff for us.

Love your reports Doug, everyone down my local cant believe how I know so much about whats going on. I will give you the credit soon!!!

Great to hear we are nearly at full strength, onwards and upwards

Doug, in your 'opinion' do you think Kolarov and Balotelli will start on Saturday?

Steve wrote:Doug, in your 'opinion' do you think Kolarov and Balotelli will start on Saturday?

Maybe but maybe only 1of them

I'd wager Kolarov starts, we go 4-5-1 with Adebayor up top and Balotelli on the bench getting on 2nd half.

This again is a game we must have to repair the damage of last week.

i reckon mario on one of the flanks, ade up top.

think it would be very unfair on adebayor not to start after the hatrick.

Great report, from Dougs insight I would imagine Mario will start. He and Joe Hart were playing in the same 5/6 aside which would imply Mario being part of the first 11. I would stretch Wolves and try and use width so a 4 man midfield with Mario and Ade uptop would be ideal. Maybe Johnson, Toure, De Jong and Milner as a farily solid midfield.

Thanks Doug, tip top report again..

john68 wrote:The comments regarding players on the verge of returning reminded me that as we presently sit within touching distance of the top of the Prem and are proceeding well in the Europa league, we have done so without ever being able to call upon a full strength team.

Boateng has still to get up to full speed, Kolarov looks likely to start in the near future and Ballotelli is almost teady to be unleashed. All very positive stuff for us.

That's the reality for all teams, though, and also the reason why squad depth is so important.

"Lombardo was quite good." Hope Italian copy of Popeye could clearly teach the best he did in his carrier to SWP, Milner, AJ and Silva!

mr_nool wrote:

john68 wrote:The comments regarding players on the verge of returning reminded me that as we presently sit within touching distance of the top of the Prem and are proceeding well in the Europa league, we have done so without ever being able to call upon a full strength team.

Boateng has still to get up to full speed, Kolarov looks likely to start in the near future and Ballotelli is almost teady to be unleashed. All very positive stuff for us.

That's the reality for all teams, though, and also the reason why squad depth is so important.

While definitely still unknown quantities, both Kolarov and Balotelli are two of the most interesting summer buys and along with Silva they spark a lot of interest and imagination as to what they will be like and what they will add to the dynamic of the team due to the positions they play and tendency to be explosive.. so the anticipation is justified, not sure all teams have got that right now to add to their squads.

A side note is that Boateng may already have had an effect with the way his arrival seems to have awoken Micah.

brite blu sky wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

john68 wrote:The comments regarding players on the verge of returning reminded me that as we presently sit within touching distance of the top of the Prem and are proceeding well in the Europa league, we have done so without ever being able to call upon a full strength team.

Boateng has still to get up to full speed, Kolarov looks likely to start in the near future and Ballotelli is almost teady to be unleashed. All very positive stuff for us.

That's the reality for all teams, though, and also the reason why squad depth is so important.

While definitely still unknown quantities, both Kolarov and Balotelli are two of the most interesting summer buys and along with Silva they spark a lot of interest and imagination as to what they will be like and what they will add to the dynamic of the team due to the positions they play and tendency to be explosive.. so the anticipation is justified, not sure all teams have got that right now to add to their squads.

A side note is that Boateng may already have had an effect with the way his arrival seems to have awoken Micah.

Of course you're right, but all teams struggle with injuries. Having your whole squad available for selection is a luxury no prem manager enjoys apart from very occasionally. That's why I don't really like "what if discussions".

yaba daba do wrote:Great report, from Dougs insight I would imagine Mario will start. He and Joe Hart were playing in the same 5/6 aside which would imply Mario being part of the first 11. I would stretch Wolves and try and use width so a 4 man midfield with Mario and Ade uptop would be ideal. Maybe Johnson, Toure, De Jong and Milner as a farily solid midfield.

Think Johnson has peed on his chips again. Doubt you will see much of him in the coming weeks unless we get more injuries. Doesn't seem to learn, the lad had it put on a plate for him & he went the way of Richards before him and read the papers about how good he was. Got to climb the mountain again now with Mancini

Doubtless, countless people have asked you this, but anything to add on the Carlos rumours? Surely just that. Press hungry to invent anti-City nonsense.

Didn't think I could ever feel so encouraged and positive and encouraged after a 3-0 home defeat to Arsenal. This only adds to it! Quality to hear about good banter between our new and 'old' players.

play like we dream wrote:Doubtless, countless people have asked you this, but anything to add on the Carlos rumours? Surely just that. Press hungry to invent anti-City nonsense.

Correct about the press being hungry for anything they can to have a go at City. Nothing I see suggests he is unhappy at City but of course having his family so far away isn't ideal and letting him go back from time to time when it fits with the schedule sounds like good management to me.

The joy on his face when he scored those 2 goals a few matches back plus watching him interacting with Nigel in training said to me all is fine.But what do I know!!