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Thought I would do an hour today when they switched training to a 2pm start. I got there at 2 on the dot and no signs until SWP/Ade and Lescott came out and started doing some exercises but it was easily another 5 minutes before the rest started to come out.Missing today were Micah, Yaya and Boateng( not good with Zaba suspended for Saturday) and it didn't get better when Vinnie left early with what looked like a thigh problem. It's only Wednesday though so he will probably be ok.

Some very simple exercises were done in groups of 3 before they had a keep ball game in a big square area.Nothing intense at all but really " keep it ticking over" kind of stuff.Bridge didn't play in this but did 1 to 1 work but MJ was fully involved.Then it was Mancini taking an 11 away for some work leaving about 6 just passing time in a keep ball circle.It wasn't the Stoke team as it didn't include Carlos,Mario,Silva or Kolarov.Maybe it was the Europa side with Ade and Jo up top and SWP,Milner,Vieira and AJ in the middle. They didn't seem to do very much apart from just move the ball around the middle of the park with quick crisp passing but never tried to get into the box to create anything. Joe and Shay were in there anyway giving each other something to do.

After that team had finished a few changes were made and it looked closer to the Stoke side even though Zaba was still at full back.Again it was all about passing around the middle just seeming to focus on the player on the ball having passing options at all times.By now I was freezing my nuts off and with a bad cold streaming from most orifices so I went home.

Don't say your turning into a wimp Doug, ha ha ha.

Informative as always, don't like this players picking up minor injuries in training, never know if they will recover for the next match. Always seems to be the more important players involved, Vinnie today, Carlos a week or so ago, NDJ the other week, they must train as hard as they play, whereas some others stroll about!

thx doug

whats balo like in training? does he train hard? does he look like he feels at home and happy and who is his best mates?

I know most of the players will be fine against Stoke but I fear if Silva plays they're going to kick him off the park and do some serious damage to a player who has been on top form recently in both the league and Europe. I just wonder if Mancini will stick with the Fulham outfit or twist and go more defensive, maybe stick some more height up front to battle their defenders' height?

Thanks as always Doug.

blue wine wrote:thx doug

whats balo like in training? does he train hard? does he look like he feels at home and happy and who is his best mates?

Quiet is the word I would use.I have seen him acting the goat in the past but mostly he does what he does. As for training hard I wouldnt say anyone is training hard at the moment.It really does seem to be about ticking over because they are fit already. No signs of best mates on the training pitch from what I see.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:with a bad cold streaming from most orifices...

A tad too much information there but many thanks once again for the report!

One of the biggest things I took from your report was that Ade, Shaun and Jolean were out early. Any reply?

Beefymcfc wrote:One of the biggest things I took from your report was that Ade, Shaun and Jolean were out early. Any reply?

haha good spot. They are good mates but I think it might also say a little about their situation. I hope Lescott is seriously up for it though if he has to deputise on saturday.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:One of the biggest things I took from your report was that Ade, Shaun and Jolean were out early. Any reply?

haha good spot. They are good mates but I think it might also say a little about their situation. I hope Lescott is seriously up for it though if he has to deputise on saturday.

Cab I quote you on that?

Cheers Doug, much appreciated ;-)

With Micah and Boateng struggling and Zab suspended . It looks like Boyata will play at right back on Saturday . Which wont be a bad thing consideing his height .

mcfc/wire wrote:With Micah and Boateng struggling and Zab suspended . It looks like Boyata will play at right back on Saturday . Which wont be a bad thing consideing his height .

It won't be a bad thing except that he is not a full back.

mcfc/wire wrote:With Micah and Boateng struggling and Zab suspended . It looks like Boyata will play at right back on Saturday . Which wont be a bad thing consideing his height .

I'm sure we all would agree with Dedryk taking up the mantle, the only worry is the pace.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

mcfc/wire wrote:With Micah and Boateng struggling and Zab suspended . It looks like Boyata will play at right back on Saturday . Which wont be a bad thing consideing his height .

It won't be a bad thing except that he is not a full back.

Kolo can play at RB. Seen him do it a couple of times for Arse. Considering he likes to go forward, I don't think that's a bad option.
Lescott can fill in but if Vinnie is also absent, which will be a big worry, then its Boyatta in the middle I guess.

I'm sure DeJong or Milner can play right back. The midfield wont be needed.