Training thursday 13/1

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Good interesting session today at drizzly but warm Carrington. Right at the start and before any warm ups at all Mancini had the whole group, all 20 of them (without keepers), set up in attack and defence formation to work on some throw in routines.It was as if Mancini has had some sleepless nights thinking about it and wanted to get to it immediately.

Same missing players as yesterday and Michael Johnson was working with the reserves today.Nothing sinister in that but just about even numbers for the sessions.After that initial work most players started some warm up routines but Mancini kept 6 defenders for some routine defensive formation work.The others misxed and matched between some running/fitness routines and some ball work.

The football was a nine a side game ( 8 plus keepers) as a few went in . Lescott,Kolo,Nigel and Zaba.As usual a competitive game and some good skill on show. Great to see Silva fully involved and no doubt being watched closely by Mancini and co re his fitness.One thing for sure is that Dzeko isnt just a header of the ball.RSC was in very good nick and alert to any scraps around goal.With a few defenders missing SWP was given a withdrawn role which isnt his strength but with Patrick alongside he did quite well.

Goal of the day today was Carlos who weaved his way through the middle leaving defenders on the floor and left Shay helpless. Joe Hart was probably hoarse from all his shouting , trying to stop Kolarov and others getting shots away.He is never quiet.Dzeko took a few of his chances really well and Silva looked what he is,class. Kompany was trying to defend against Silva,Dzeko and Carlos which wasnt easy.In one oiece of defending he took one out and then flew into SWP whilst getting a kick on the head for his troubles.The only worrying moment was when yaya overstretched for a ball and went down in a heap with a scream. Physios came flooding across ( Mancini strolled over) but happily after a couple of minutes he was up and carried on playing.

After the game it was finishing practice.Often with this the keepers win the day but today it was the strikers turn.Best of the bunch for me was RSC.Great timing and power and a couple of top headers too. Dzeko was very good as were Ade and Milner.Milner is looking on fire. Poor old Joe wasn't having the best of times and it wouldnt have been helped when one from AJ went through his legs from very close range and he and Milner celebrated it in true playground style. Some of the power in those shots is quite scary when you get close up and I am amazed there are not more hand/finger injuries.

MJ to play a part in the EDS game against Liverpool next week and the word on Assulin is he a couple of weeks away from playing but doing well.

[The Beast]

Good interesting session today at drizzly but warm Carrington. Right at the start and before any warm ups at all Mancini had the whole group, all 20 of them (without keepers), set up in attack and defence formation to work on some throw in routines.It was as if Mancini has had some sleepless nights thinking about it and wanted to get to it immediately.

Same missing players as yesterday and Michael Johnson was working with the reserves today.Nothing sinister in that but just about even numbers for the sessions.After that initial work most players started some warm up routines but Mancini kept 6 defenders for some routine defensive formation work.The others misxed and matched between some running/fitness routines and some ball work.

The football was a nine a side game ( 8 plus keepers) as a few went in . Lescott,Kolo,Nigel and Zaba.As usual a competitive game and some good skill on show. Great to see Silva fully involved and no doubt being watched closely by Mancini and co re his fitness.One thing for sure is that Dzeko isnt just a header of the ball.RSC was in very good nick and alert to any scraps around goal.With a few defenders missing SWP was given a withdrawn role which isnt his strength but with Patrick alongside he did quite well.

Goal of the day today was Carlos who weaved his way through the middle leaving defenders on the floor and left Shay helpless. Joe Hart was probably hoarse from all his shouting , trying to stop Kolarov and others getting shots away.He is never quiet.Dzeko took a few of his chances really well and Silva looked what he is,class. Kompany was trying to defend against Silva,Dzeko and Carlos which wasnt easy.In one oiece of defending he took one out and then flew into SWP whilst getting a kick on the head for his troubles.The only worrying moment was when yaya overstretched for a ball and went down in a heap with a scream. Physios came flooding across ( Mancini strolled over) but happily after a couple of minutes he was up and carried on playing.

After the game it was finishing practice.Often with this the keepers win the day but today it was the strikers turn.Best of the bunch for me was RSC.Great timing and power and a couple of top headers too. Dzeko was very good as were Ade and Milner.Milner is looking on fire. Poor old Joe wasn't having the best of times and it wouldnt have been helped when one from AJ went through his legs from very close range and he and Milner celebrated it in true playground style. Some of the power in those shots is quite scary when you get close up and I am amazed there are not more hand/finger injuries.

MJ to play a part in the EDS game against Liverpool next week and the word on Assulin is he a couple of weeks away from playing but doing well.

Great !!!!!

He'll probably score a hatful for Blackburn !!!

[Ted Hughes]

Thanks Doug.

Throw ins for or against?

[dazby]

This isn't the first time you've mentioned Rocky being good in training. I really would have liked to have seen him given a chance this season.

Got a theory as to why he hasn't had a chance Doug? I mean, we've just lashed a shitload of cash on a player with very similar attributes to Rocky and we know that Rocky can do the biz in the prem.

[BadKompany]

This isn't the first time you've mentioned Rocky being good in training. I really would have liked to have seen him given a chance this season.

Got a theory as to why he hasn't had a chance Doug? I mean, we've just lashed a shitload of cash on a player with very similar attributes to Rocky and we know that Rocky can do the biz in the prem.

I share your thoughts,RSC is a very good player,we have missed out on apparently,why? obviously injury initially,but now? and with Jo seemingly the better option,i am struggling to understand what exactly the issue is?

Anyway,excellent report Doug,some very encouraging news,cheers as ever.

[Mase]

This isn't the first time you've mentioned Rocky being good in training. I really would have liked to have seen him given a chance this season.

Got a theory as to why he hasn't had a chance Doug? I mean, we've just lashed a shitload of cash on a player with very similar attributes to Rocky and we know that Rocky can do the biz in the prem.

I share your thoughts,RSC is a very good player,we have missed out on apparently,why? obviously injury initially,but now? and with Jo seemingly the better option,i am struggling to understand what exactly the issue is?

Jo is crap! Agreed. But comparing the role he is asked to play for City and the kind of role RSC is used to playing is completely different. Would you really rather have RSC on the left?

[ant london]

I don't really understand why both Ade and RSC have not had even a sniff of action this season under Mancio. For whatever reason in both cases he clearly does not fancy them though.

No point musing on what might have been now....both look set for the exit door sooner or later

[Douglas Higginbottom]

This isn't the first time you've mentioned Rocky being good in training. I really would have liked to have seen him given a chance this season.

Got a theory as to why he hasn't had a chance Doug? I mean, we've just lashed a shitload of cash on a player with very similar attributes to Rocky and we know that Rocky can do the biz in the prem.

No theory at all but if the manager doesnt fancy you that's about it. I would certainly have liked to see him given a go instead of you know who even if it's just spells from the bench.He has been fit for a long time now with no match practice.

[blues2win]

Thanks Doug. Great to hear that Silva was fully involved; looks like he'll start against Wolves.

I assume RSC is going because Mancini sees him as too far down the pecking order. With Dzeko, Tevez and Balotelli and even Adebayor ahead of him in his position of centre forward when would he get a game? Jo isn't played there; he's played on the left. RSC wasn't even part of the 25. If he does well at Blackburn that might enable the club to get a few bob for him at the end of the season even with only a year then left on his contract.

I can understand Mancini's reluctance to let Adebayor go until it's clear whether Balotelli needs surgery or not. If he doesn't he could be back in the first half of February, if he does he could be out for the rest of the season. A torn meniscus usually heals well given time so fingers crossed. But if he decides to hang on to Ade surely he needs to give him some game time. I for one would like to see him at least on the bench against Leicester and maybe play a part in the Euro game. Of course I suppose City might be concerned about him getting injured which would ruin any chance of offloading him. Clearly he's been disruptive and Mancini wants shot which I completely understand but if they're considering keeping him on they need to see what can be done to get something out of him.

[Blackadder]

Clearly Mancini decided that RSC is not at the level he wants from a front player, and that at nearly 30 he isn't going to improve. Maybe he thought that giving the much younger Jo some games would be better for the future of the club.

Heard a rumour though that RSC hasn't been used due to clauses in his original transfer contract from Blackburn, ie the more games he plays the more money they get.

Apparently the original transfer fee was far off from the reported £18m, more like £8m with bonuses for appearances. This would make sense given his injury record.

The theory might have some credence apart from the fact that 1) our club doesn't have a money problem and 2) his seeming rival for a starting position was Jo.

So he should go to Blackburn on loan until the end of the season, they pay his full wages, then buy him for whatever the original transfer fee was if he keeps them in the Prem - less depreciation for mileage. Fair?

[Moonchesteri]

Great news to hear Silva is in full training, he is so important to us.

Thanks again Doug

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Cheers Doug, can't wait to see Tevez Silva and Dzeko playing together its gonna be magic

[Tony P]

Completely different question Doug. Do you take notes during training or do you have a really good memory?

[gillie]

Great report as always Doug.Glad to see the magician is back in full training.

[Beefymcfc]

Cheers Doug, highlight of the day.

[Thai]

Thanks Doug - great read as always.

[13021J]

Richards has just put on his Twitter account that he is not fit for the weekend, did you see that today DH?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Richards has just put on his Twitter account that he is not fit for the weekend, did you see that today DH?

I know he hasnt been there all week so definitely not playing but I only heard today he has a bad back.
As for me seeing it on Twitter you have to be joking:)

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Completely different question Doug. Do you take notes during training or do you have a really good memory?

I have a really bad memory I can assure you but apart from a couple of occasions where I have been really sad I don't take notes.
There is regularly plenty I forget which comes back to me later or when somebody asks a question.

[Kladze]

There is regularly plenty I forget

Doug out !