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Good news to start the day was seeing David Silva out with the rest at the start of training. Although he didnt stay for the contact stuff it probably means he has a chance for Saturday. Micah and Nigel missing as well, the latter sent home with a temperature. A few added to the group today but no MJ with the EDS playing tonight. Shaleum Logan ,Mancini's son and I think Abdul Razzak were involved.( at least I heard players shout Abdul even though somebody else said it was Mohamed Abu.)

Initial warm ups in 2 groups before a pass and move session. Always intersting to watch to get a flavour of a players touch and ability to move the ball quickly and accurately under pressure as well as having the right sort of movement to create angles to receive a pass.Naturally I watched Dzeko quite a lot and although not high profile in the session he seemed to do most things right. Not easy for him either as Vinnie was marking him and it didn't suprise me at all as it looked like Vinnie was in no mood to give him an easy ride.

Then Mancini took the defenders away for some work whilst the rest stayed for some finishing practice.I decided to watch the finishing but I think Mancini was working mostly on shape again. I didn't see any emphasis on corners/crosses but he might well have done some. The finishing was all about meeting crosses from 2 coaches with Stu Taylor and Shay in net. The banter was fun as we were very close behind the goal.My first chance to see Dzeko in this kind of situation and his first effort was perfect as he met Platt's cross with a header accross the keeper into the corner.Not everything went in of course but he did look a natural header of a ball.

In a brief break before the final game SWP announced that he was going to be in goal for the match. He borrowed Shay's gloves and immediately threw him self to his right a couple of great saves. He even held onto the ball unlike the modern day keeper but then they found a weak spot which was anything to his left.Great fun for a short while as he was peppered with shots and he was disappointed when he wasnt allowed to carry on in the game.Not a lot to shout about in the game .I would have made Barry MotM for his overall play. Great effort as ever from Milner and chances missed by almost everyone.

Cheers Doug! A little warmer today but still pretty foul out there! Should be warmer still later this week but lots of rain too! As ever your contribution is much appreciated.

Thanks Doug.

Cheers Doug, did Balotelli train and take a full part?

Rammy Blue wrote:Cheers Doug, did Balotelli train and take a full part?

Eh, what's that all about; do we have more than 1 Rammy Blue?

Beefymcfc wrote:

Rammy Blue wrote:Cheers Doug, did Balotelli train and take a full part?

Eh, what's that all about; do we have more than 1 Rammy Blue?

Yes. Loads of Blues in Rammy.

Tokyo Blue wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:

Rammy Blue wrote:Cheers Doug, did Balotelli train and take a full part?

Eh, what's that all about; do we have more than 1 Rammy Blue?

Yes. Loads of Blues in Rammy.

They must love it up the 'bottom.

Rammy Blue wrote:Cheers Doug, did Balotelli train and take a full part?

Hmm how could I forget Mario but no he didnt appear at all today.

Thanks as ever Doug. I notice that the club are flogging off the last few tickets for Wolves on the back of Dzeko whilst on the other hand Mancini was cautious about whether he would play on Saturday because of the German mid season break. How fit did he look? I must say I will be gobsmacked if he doesn't play some part on Saturday. No Jo starting FFS. Also, as others have asked, any news on Mario? If he wasn't there any word on timescale for his return?

blues2win wrote:Thanks as ever Doug. I notice that the club are flogging off the last few tickets for Wolves on the back of Dzeko whilst on the other hand Mancini was cautious about whether he would play on Saturday because of the German mid season break. How fit did he look? I must say I will be gobsmacked if he doesn't play some part on Saturday. No Jo starting FFS. Also, as others have asked, any news on Mario? If he wasn't there any word on timescale for his return?

Didnt hear anything about Mario. I too would be staggered if Dzeko didnt play a part in fact I would expect him to start. He looked fully fit to me but it is impossible to gauge stamina from what they do in training.He is a strong looking lad.

Cheers DH ... how did the man of the moment, Jo, look/perform today?

Chinners wrote:Cheers DH ... how did the man of the moment, Jo, look/perform today?

I would rather not answer that as I want to stay feeling positive before I go off to see Michael Johnson play tonight.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Chinners wrote:Cheers DH ... how did the man of the moment, Jo, look/perform today?

I would rather not answer that as I want to stay feeling positive before I go off to see Michael Johnson play tonight.

Awesome,glad you're going Doug,i know it's not entirely the MJ show but i look forward to your honest assessment of the lad.

BadKompany wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Chinners wrote:Cheers DH ... how did the man of the moment, Jo, look/perform today?

I would rather not answer that as I want to stay feeling positive before I go off to see Michael Johnson play tonight.

Awesome,glad you're going Doug,i know it's not entirely the MJ show but i look forward to your honest assessment of the lad.

Also hoping Assulin might be involved.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

BadKompany wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Chinners wrote:Cheers DH ... how did the man of the moment, Jo, look/perform today?

I would rather not answer that as I want to stay feeling positive before I go off to see Michael Johnson play tonight.

Awesome,glad you're going Doug,i know it's not entirely the MJ show but i look forward to your honest assessment of the lad.

Also hoping Assulin might be involved.

Ya big tease!! fingers crossed......

Well the doc was very reluctant to say anything about Mario but did say something like the boss explained the situation at the press conference! Did I miss something?

Maybe this from the Guardian?
:
"Roberto Mancini worried as Mario Balotelli faces another month out• Manchester City's Mario Balotelli told to rest for a month
• I am worried, says City's manager Roberto Mancini

Roberto Mancini has spoken of his growing concerns about Mario Balotelli's fitness after revealing that the striker will be out for at least a month and potentially longer with an injury that threatens to cause serious disruption to the second half of his season.

Balotelli has already missed two months after needing an operation in September to repair the meniscus cartilage he damaged on his debut for Manchester City, and the same problem has now flared up again. The £25m signing has missed the last three matches and has been advised to take a complete rest before further tests early next month to determine whether he needs a second operation.

"Mario's knee is not good," Mancini said. "I don't know [about surgery] at this moment but he must rest for three to four weeks. He will have rest and treatment and then he will start [training] again and hopefully everything will be OK.

"But it is the same knee and I am worried because it is strange that he had an operation and now, after two months back, he has another problem with it. I am worried because I never expected him to have to rest for another four weeks, especially at such an important time in the season when we must play so many important games."

Doesnt sound great.

Bloody hell Doug, seconds? Nice spot though. I'm sure Platt said that when Mario had the op there was some bleeding into the wound afterwards which has caused further problems. What I couldn't figure was why they sent Mario to the Harold Shipman surgery to get treatment. Rag Twat!