Training Thursday 20/1

[Douglas Higginbottom]

It was seriously cold today at Carrington and the fog was threatening to make viewing tricky but thankfully it never got too bad.Micah returned to training today and looked fine but Yaya was missing ( probably a minor thing) along with Ade.Jogging and some routine exercises to start with to get the joints and muscles working and then into a one touch game with 2 sets of 5 a side goals to score in.

Oh I nearly forgot . There were quite a few onlookers inside watching today and included amongst them was Martin Atkinson the premiership referee we all love so much!

One touch isn't easy either but generally it was very good with the movement of players being such an essential part to give players passing options.Unfortunately we picked up an injury in this session with what looked like a pulled hamstring as Boyata stretched for a pass. Tevez I think took part in this bit but then went in beofre the "real" football match started. Nothing untoward but I am sure just that his fitness didn't need too much today.With Boyata missing the boss took his place in the game.

It's always very hard to know the score in these games but equally it's clear that it is competitive and matters to the players who wins and as you would expect this is very evident in Vinnie and Nigel who battle for anything.Nigel was very vocal and prominent today and, as Mancini found out personally, is a physical presence even in training.One challenge left the boss in some pain as he went into the back of him.Another challenge with Kolo probably left him wondering why he was putting himself through it.

Some nice goals from Dzeko, he does look quite calm and clinical when he gets chances. Barry also excellent when presented with a couple of chances.Goals also from Jo and a blinder from Abdul Razak and of course an inevitable goal from NDJ but arguably the moment of the matches was a goal line clearance from SWP heading away from under the bar.There was also one situation where Boateng was threatening to get onto a ball and closing in on goal but Vinnie was coming across. Only one winner as Vinnie launched himself in a classic challenge and Boateng sensibly decided to jump the tackle. Classic Vinnie stuff.

After this initial game those who played on Tuesday went inside leaving a 5 a side match to finish with .As Vinnie was going in NDJ shouted across to him something like " are you going in Vinnie , we owned you" Vinnie seemed to just turn and give him his best withering look. Priceless.

Plenty of action in the 5 a side game with plenty of goals but as it came to a close I got the feeling the next goal would be a winner and it came from Micah at the far post on the left side. Decent goal too but it didn't make NDJ a happy bunny and I think he was after a couple more minutes play to get level again. Mancini however was on the winning side so there was none of that:) I couldnt hear all the banter clearly but there was plenty of it going on and a really good session to watch. NMT and myself decided to give the boss a round of applause for his efforts only to be derided by Platt for what I am sure he saw as creeping to the boss.

[Blue in the face]

one touch game with 2 sets of 5 a side goals to score in........................ a goal line clearance from SWP heading away from under the bar.

About the only nets he could do that in. :)

[CitizenYank]

Hmm, Platt jealous maybe. Thanks Doug, as always. Sorry to hear about Boyata. Hopefully it's just minor.

[Mike J]

ha ha ive just got visions of mancini getting clattered left, right and centre.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

one touch game with 2 sets of 5 a side goals to score in........................ a goal line clearance from SWP heading away from under the bar.

About the only nets he could do that in. :)

And there was me wondering if we could convert SWP to a new role, for us, as 'sweeper'.

Nice report as ever, Mr H, many thanks for your time but I hope you got into Atkinson's ribs and told him to keep his hands out of Fergiescum's pockets (hang on though, better not, especially in view of what's just happened to Ryan Babel).

[Mike J]

out of interest doug does mancini still look ike he has a bit of magic in the locker? i used to think he was a great player in his day.

[brite blu sky]

Great report Doug.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

out of interest doug does mancini still look ike he has a bit of magic in the locker? i used to think he was a great player in his day.

Of course he has a sublime touch which you can even see on the touchline at times during a game but in the heat of a 5 ,7 a side game on a small pitch with fit pros just itching to clatter him there is little or no chance to do much at all. Consequently it's all about simple lay offs to hang onto the ball.

[Nige]

Any crosses or header practice?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Any crosses or header practice?

Not today

[Nige]

OK thanks DH.

[Mark (Blue Army)]

Cheers Doug, top report as always

[Goataldo]

Sounds like a quality session, cheers. Wonder why Atkinson was there?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Sounds like a quality session, cheers. Wonder why Atkinson was there?

Trying to learn about real footballers, that Nigel De jong never fouls anybody , when Nigel appeals for something he is always right, and when Mancini says the game has finished it should finish immediately.

[Goataldo]

Sounds like a quality session, cheers. Wonder why Atkinson was there?

Trying to learn about real footballers, that Nigel De jong never fouls anybody , when Nigel appeals for something he is always right, and when Mancini says the game has finished it should finish immediately.

I hope he soaked it up, and tells the rest of em what a decent honourable champions elect bunch of lads we are! Either that or he's mysteriously never seen again.