Training Friday 7/1

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Filthy day today but training was on the open pitch so good news for those fans who turned up. Just a few missing, apart from the obvious Silva and Mario also Barry,Shay and Micah but no issues with them i don't think.19 players in total for the initial warm up,stretching and fun routines before they went into a passing game.

I watched Yaya quite closely in this bit. As much for the fitness as the football angles. He really does a have a great first touch and his ability to see and deliver the clever short pass is quality.On the fitness he seemed fine to me as he was almost always on the go looking for one twos ,creating good angles etc. Maybe it's just those sensational long runs which cause the odd problem.

Michael Johnson fully involved again and looking ok. He seems to think he might get a game next Tuesday in the Senior Cup v Rochdale ( if it's on) which would be really good.After the passing game they switched to something like 7 a side.The wednesday team went in at this point and a few reserves filled up the numbers,namely Guidetti,Nimley and Ibrahim.Nothing too special about this session although Vieira did finish early with Roberto Mancini filling in for him for 5 or 10 minutes.That plus one tackle on Guidetti just after he had released the ball. Glad it wasn't kolo on Ade!

I think Mancini's pass completion rate was 100% successful but I think his age caught up on him when it came to defensive duties:)

[Surrey Sky Blue]

Cheers Doug.

[King Kev]

Not impressed to learn that Mancini wasn't tracking back!

[brite blu sky]

Nice one Doug.
Hope the Rochdale game goes ahead.. its been a long time since they last played competitively... the rags i think. Also might be shown live again now it is at Hyde.. a chance to see MJ in action would be a nice treat. Guidetti back in the fold too.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Not impressed to learn that Mancini wasn't tracking back!

He was play making from the back.

[Mike J]

doug, id be interested to hear how assulin is getting on in the sessions. have seen videos of him (yeh i know) showing him to have alot of technical ability, pace and skill. has he shown any of this?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

doug, id be interested to hear how assulin is getting on in the sessions. have seen videos of him (yeh i know) showing him to have alot of technical ability, pace and skill. has he shown any of this?

Apart from that first session a week or so ago he hasnt trained with the first team.

[steveo_88]

Cheers Doug nice to hear Mancini is acclimatising to the English game, prefering to go all out and attack over defending rather than the ITi clean sheet at all costs and nick one.

[Dingus McDouchey]

based on today's report it looks like the depth chart at creative midfielder is

Silva
Mancini
Assulin

[Douglas Higginbottom]

based on today's report it looks like the depth chart at creative midfielder is

Silva
Mancini
Assulin

Depth chart?

[Blue Blood]

Cheers for that doug :D

[Biamp]

Cheers Doug, hope Johnno will get a run out soon.

[Whassat]

/... That plus one tackle on Guidetti just after he had released the ball. Glad it wasn't kolo on Ade!.../

Was he injured?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

/... That plus one tackle on Guidetti just after he had released the ball. Glad it wasn't kolo on Ade!.../

Was he injured?

No he seemed fine afterwards but it was quite a whack. That's what you get for doing step overs to ..........

[Mikhail Chigorin]

/... That plus one tackle on Guidetti just after he had released the ball. Glad it wasn't kolo on Ade!.../

Was he injured?

No he seemed fine afterwards but it was quite a whack. That's what you get for doing step overs to ..........

Once again, an erudite and informative report Mr H; many thanks but, just as a matter of interest, who was it who whacked Guidetti ??

[Dingus McDouchey]

based on today's report it looks like the depth chart at creative midfielder is

Silva
Mancini
Assulin

Depth chart?

is that a term I picked up in the states?

[citoeast]

Many thanks Doug.

[BadKompany]

Hi Doug,don't tell me you missed Edin's first session........??!!

Reckon you're forgiven if so..........(wink)

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Hi Doug,don't tell me you missed Edin's first session........??!!

Reckon you're forgiven if so..........(wink)

Quite possible.Went along at 11 and there were no players there and nobody seemed to know when they would be there or if they would train at all.Things to do so I didn't hang around and will wait for the treat on Tuesday.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Cheers or that Doug