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Not likely to see much today but when I arrived 5 of yesterday's team were already out.Boateng,Silva,Vinnie,Yaya and Kolarov were just doing gentle warm down stuff , whilst Kolo was working 1 to 1 with a physio. Probably not ready for tomorrow was Kolo's expectation. I didn't see the rest of yesterday's team at all so probably they all needed a little treatment and would have been inside.

There were 18 out for "full" training of which 9 or 10 could be deemed real first team squad players. Bridge,AJ,Patrick,Boyata,Zaba,Micah,Jo,Mario amongst them with the rest EDS players plus Juan Roman.No MJ today.After a few exercises it was just one game of football played and one or two nice goals from Nimley,Jo and AJ. Assulin was there and once I worked out who he was I kept my eye on him a bit more.Can't assess from a session like this.He was playing wide for a while but as it's a small playing area, it's not easy to shine.He did get better when he moved more central and it was an interesting comparison watching him and Patrick perform.

PV knows how to receive the ball under pressure. He uses his body expertly and knows where the challenge is coming from. Assulin hasn't got the strength to use and is less aware so it was hard for him to get into the game much. But he does have a touch and some quality.

A fairly short session but as they were all going in Mancini stopped Mario and they stayed out for a while. Mario's brief was to watch,listen and learn as the boss talked through a variety of small situations and showed the odd move. I was 50 yards or so away but I got the impression Mario was taking it all in.

Roll on the Villa.

Cheers Doug,hopefully the extra,needed,effort with Balo will be worth it.....

Cheers Doug

Thanks Doug.

I guess one of the best ways to learn the skill for Assulin would be to take on a master like Vieira so he can appreciate the level he's going to come up against in the prem.

Nice work again Doug, thanks. I hope they gave you a bit of leftover turkey & a mince pie.

Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

Fidel Castro wrote:Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Fidel Castro wrote:Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

That's how I see it Doug, Mancini also stated that when he brought him in. He's just to big to be a FB, especially the kind of FB we are looking for to get up and down the wing's. And as Mancini and Jerome also stated, 'he has the potential to be the best', it's just about nurturing the talent.

Beefymcfc wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Fidel Castro wrote:Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

That's how I see it Doug, Mancini also stated that when he brought him in. He's just to big to be a FB, especially the kind of FB we are looking for to get up and down the wing's. And as Mancini and Jerome also stated, 'he has the potential to be the best', it's just about nurturing the talent.

If we play him centre half against just about anybody, we stand a decent chance of losing. Anyone with designs on a centre back job, no matter how inexperienced, who can completely fail to spot Andy Carroll jogging away from them to nod a corner kick unnopposed into the net, isn't even on the bottom rung of the ladder for that job imo. That's not something you can learn, even in a year or two. He's been caught out like that for his previous club, for Germany & for City.

Ted Hughes wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Fidel Castro wrote:Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

That's how I see it Doug, Mancini also stated that when he brought him in. He's just to big to be a FB, especially the kind of FB we are looking for to get up and down the wing's. And as Mancini and Jerome also stated, 'he has the potential to be the best', it's just about nurturing the talent.

If we play him centre half against just about anybody, we stand a decent chance of losing. Anyone with designs on a centre back job, no matter how inexperienced, who can completely fail to spot Andy Carroll jogging away from them to nod a corner kick unnopposed into the net, isn't even on the bottom rung of the ladder for that job imo. That's not something you can learn, even in a year or two. He's been caught out like that for his previous club, for Germany & for City.

As I said Ted, potential. And when you look at out defensive set-up, all the player's have set positions and set player's to take on, dependant on those positions, and that's where we can get problem's - not just Jerome. Take Vince for example for the Everton game, his job was to mark the area where Cahill nodded the ball in but decided to take a punt and pushed out; does that take Vinnie to the bottom rung, and moreso seeing that he himself didn't see the same run from Carroll?

I'm not defending Jerome but merely stating what his percieved future role would be, and it's definately not FB.

Beefymcfc wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Fidel Castro wrote:Nice one Doug. JUst wondering, is Boateng shit in training as well? Or does he look like he does actually have some ability, but it's not coming out just yet?

He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

That's how I see it Doug, Mancini also stated that when he brought him in. He's just to big to be a FB, especially the kind of FB we are looking for to get up and down the wing's. And as Mancini and Jerome also stated, 'he has the potential to be the best', it's just about nurturing the talent.

If we play him centre half against just about anybody, we stand a decent chance of losing. Anyone with designs on a centre back job, no matter how inexperienced, who can completely fail to spot Andy Carroll jogging away from them to nod a corner kick unnopposed into the net, isn't even on the bottom rung of the ladder for that job imo. That's not something you can learn, even in a year or two. He's been caught out like that for his previous club, for Germany & for City.

As I said Ted, potential. And when you look at out defensive set-up, all the player's have set positions and set player's to take on, dependant on those positions, and that's where we can get problem's - not just Jerome. Take Vince for example for the Everton game, his job was to mark the area where Cahill nodded the ball in but decided to take a punt and pushed out; does that take Vinnie to the bottom rung, and moreso seeing that he himself didn't see the same run from Carroll?

I'm not defending Jerome but merely stating what his percieved future role would be, and it's definately not FB.

Vince doesn't do it game after game though mate........Boateng can learn in the reserves as far as I'm concerned..we cannot afford to fucking train him to do the job during our matches...its doing my head in watching him fuck up time after time.

Cheers for usual great report DH.
What do You make of MJ situation? I tought from recent past reports and papers bollox that he was phisically ready, or quite so.
I mean, Bob have never been shy with top quality prospects, and I tought he could have been given a place to warm on the bench at St. James. The pitch apperead fine from the tv, and given the circumstances, it could have been the right chance when the boss decided to save some minutes to Yaya...
Do You think that concerns may also be rised because of the freeze?

I wanna see Michael settled into the passing game, ffs...

carl_feedthegoat wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:He has ability don't worry. Maybe he is a centre half though.

That's how I see it Doug, Mancini also stated that when he brought him in. He's just to big to be a FB, especially the kind of FB we are looking for to get up and down the wing's. And as Mancini and Jerome also stated, 'he has the potential to be the best', it's just about nurturing the talent.

If we play him centre half against just about anybody, we stand a decent chance of losing. Anyone with designs on a centre back job, no matter how inexperienced, who can completely fail to spot Andy Carroll jogging away from them to nod a corner kick unnopposed into the net, isn't even on the bottom rung of the ladder for that job imo. That's not something you can learn, even in a year or two. He's been caught out like that for his previous club, for Germany & for City.

As I said Ted, potential. And when you look at out defensive set-up, all the player's have set positions and set player's to take on, dependant on those positions, and that's where we can get problem's - not just Jerome. Take Vince for example for the Everton game, his job was to mark the area where Cahill nodded the ball in but decided to take a punt and pushed out; does that take Vinnie to the bottom rung, and moreso seeing that he himself didn't see the same run from Carroll?

I'm not defending Jerome but merely stating what his percieved future role would be, and it's definately not FB.

Vince doesn't do it game after game though mate........Boateng can learn in the reserves as far as I'm concerned..we cannot afford to fucking train him to do the job during our matches...its doing my head in watching him fuck up time after time.

I totally agree Carl and I don't quite understand why the manager throws players in when there's no need. I can understand that player's like Jerome, Dedryk and Mario need game time, but when he is leaving more experienced player's on the side-lines, it becomes increasingly frustrating. When the game is won then give them the time, not before in my book.

Thet's the thing; we got a 2 goal start in that game. Imagine what the talk would be about on here if Carroll's goal had been the 1st? It was some of the worst defending by anyone all season. Just not worth the gamble playing Boateng in games like that.

Great report as usual Doug.

IF Boateng was marking Carroll it was shocking but he doesnt/wasnt marking Carroll. We play a zonal system and whilst I don't fully understand that system it sure as hell doesnt include man marking.Maybe just a flaw in the system as much as anything.


Re MJ I doubt if he will get to the bench before he plays in a reserve game or something. I still think a loan is most likely.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:IF Boateng was marking Carroll it was shocking but he doesnt/wasnt marking Carroll. We play a zonal system and whilst I don't fully understand that system it sure as hell doesnt include man marking.Maybe just a flaw in the system as much as anything.


Re MJ I doubt if he will get to the bench before he plays in a reserve game or something. I still think a loan is most likely.

Didnt I read he wants to go to Leeds on loan? That'd be a good move for him and Leeds.

Fucking Michael Johnson love again. It's everywhere.

I seriously have to doubt those that are desperate to see him back. Not only is there slim chance of him ever being fit for a fll season, but some lad that looked good in 06/07 next to the likes of Barton, Trabelsi and Dabo is not exactly nailed on to steal a spot from either Gaz Baz, De Jong or Yaya is he?

Theres probably more chance of him never making it into our current side than being a star. Yes I can undertsand people hoping that he makes it, but it's more like a blind faith on this board.

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking Michael Johnson love again. It's everywhere.

I seriously have to doubt those that are desperate to see him back. Not only is there slim chance of him ever being fit for a fll season, but some lad that looked good in 06/07 next to the likes of Barton, Trabelsi and Dabo is not exactly nailed on to steal a spot from either Gaz Baz, De Jong or Yaya is he?

Theres probably more chance of him never making it into our current side than being a star. Yes I can undertsand people hoping that he makes it, but it's more like a blind faith on this board.

I seem to remember him linking up with the 'likes' of Elano quite well...... Obviously people have a right to be cautious given his injury history,however,don't underestimate his talent.

Pretty Boy Lee wrote:Fucking Michael Johnson love again. It's everywhere.

I seriously have to doubt those that are desperate to see him back. Not only is there slim chance of him ever being fit for a fll season, but some lad that looked good in 06/07 next to the likes of Barton, Trabelsi and Dabo is not exactly nailed on to steal a spot from either Gaz Baz, De Jong or Yaya is he?

Theres probably more chance of him never making it into our current side than being a star. Yes I can undertsand people hoping that he makes it, but it's more like a blind faith on this board.

Fancy that - City fans wanting to see a City player do well. Fucking amazing. Who'd have thought it? I see no reason to criticise anyone who hopes an injured City player comes back from injury and does well other than that it appears to be a bit trendy round here to do so. For what little my opinion is worth, it's my belief that Johnson will look even better with better players. The only question mark for me is his fitness. And as for getting into the team, that is the manager's job to decide. But I am sure he will appreciate more options in midfield. Being able to rest one of the three you mention when required will help him.

Cheers once again, Doug. Always a pleasure to read.