Training Friday 28/1

[Douglas Higginbottom]

A lovely sunny day and a a fairly low key and shortish session today. Sharon who does the photos for the official site was doing her stuff today getting pics of the coaches in playful mood and I think 1 or 2 specials of players as they came out. Then she was even taking pics of the circling freelance photographers just a few yards away from where I was. A lot more today no doubt hoping for something after most of them missed AJ being carried off yesterday.

Quiet a small number of players out there today which I expect is precautionary but Lombardo had to join in to make the numbers even. When I thought of players out on loan plus those not out today there were Ade,SWP,Bellers,RSC, plus Bridge,Lescott,Kolo,AJ,Vinnie and Tevez.Carlos was out at the start but missed out on the football stufff.That's one hell of a group.

The usual stuff to start with to warm up and then what seemed a slightly extended session of keep ball circles.All going well and then NDJ wasn't happy with a call from Kidd as referee. The game went on but Nigel took his displeasure out on Yaya who he put on the floor and then he turned to Kolarov who he also took out! Kolarov did the rolling about hand in the air stuff and the doc was sprinting across but it was all in good fun. I expect the photographers will have got pictures and might get silly headlines but there was nothing in the challenges but fun and Kolarov made the most of it so Nigel decided to pile on top of him as well.

Onto the match which was 8 a side and again fairly low key stuff. Nice early goals from Dzeko and Silva cancelled out by Vieira and somebody ( I blinked) and it was all drifting along quietly when a couple of challenges warmed it up a little. Jerome on Milner had him flying and then Patrick on Nigel had Milner screaming at the ref who gave nothing. GBH was Milner's opinion.Nigel was left with a slight limp but was fine.Then Patrick in a tussle left Micah limping. This one was a nothing challenge but it struck me that it's often the innocent looking things that cause the injury more than the so called strong challenges.

Then the worst of all when Zaba went into one and immediately pulled up. The cameras were clicking wildly and the doc was on his way but Zaba signalled that he had just got the ball where it hurts and he was fine.I don't think there were any offers to rub it better. Soon after that the game finished and they went in.Most encouraging for me today was Dzeko for some cool finishing but also seeing MJ getting invloved all the way through? Could he on Sunday?

[cityPinoy_fc]

thanks doug awesome report as always. feel sorry for zab.

[blues2win]

Thanks Doug. Was Assulin involved? He only played for 20 minutes in the EDS match.

I'd be gobsmacked if MJ started on Sunday but it would be great to see him get a few minutes.

Mancini pretty well said that SWP wasn't going anywhere because of the injury to AJ so we might see him start.

He also said that AJ was having a scan today but speculated he might play against Birmingham. I don't think so Roberto!

He talked about a 'strong team' on Sunday just 2 or 3 changes. I'm sure Milner will start and maybe either Silva or Yaya on the bench with three games in a week coming up.

[Mike J]

Thanks Doug. Was Assulin involved? He only played for 20 minutes in the EDS match.

I'd be gobsmacked if MJ started on Sunday but it would be great to see him get a few minutes.

Mancini pretty well said that SWP wasn't going anywhere because of the injury to AJ so we might see him start.

He also said that AJ was having a scan today but speculated he might play against Birmingham. I don't think so Roberto!

He talked about a 'strong team' on Sunday just 2 or 3 changes. I'm sure Milner will start and maybe either Silva or Yaya on the bench with three games in a week coming up.

well according to SSN MJ is on the way to either leicester or leeds so id say its certain he will play no part.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Thanks Doug. Was Assulin involved? He only played for 20 minutes in the EDS match.

I'd be gobsmacked if MJ started on Sunday but it would be great to see him get a few minutes.

Mancini pretty well said that SWP wasn't going anywhere because of the injury to AJ so we might see him start.

He also said that AJ was having a scan today but speculated he might play against Birmingham. I don't think so Roberto!

He talked about a 'strong team' on Sunday just 2 or 3 changes. I'm sure Milner will start and maybe either Silva or Yaya on the bench with three games in a week coming up.

I certainly would not expect MJ to start but the chance of him on the bench is there if a loan move hasnt been sorted.It's been on the cards for a while but nothing concrete seems to have happened that I know of.SSN guess a lot but get as much wrong as they do right.

Assulin was not involved at all today but I guess was training with the EDS.

[sweeneymcfc]

thanks for the report
would be class if johnson got 10 mins on sunday

[blues2win]

Thanks Doug. Mancini seemed to indicate that MJ would go out on loan although he obviously didn't speculate on a club. A Championship side would be fine in my view if that's all that's on offer. As for Assulin I'll be intrigued to see whether he makes it into the 25. I guess with SWP likely to stay that's one place down. Maybe he'll have to wait for next season. He gave a nice short interview on the OS; no hint of arrogance and a willingness to work hard and improve. Good stuff.

[Alioune DVToure]

Thanks Doug. Was Assulin involved? He only played for 20 minutes in the EDS match.

I'd be gobsmacked if MJ started on Sunday but it would be great to see him get a few minutes.

Mancini pretty well said that SWP wasn't going anywhere because of the injury to AJ so we might see him start.

He also said that AJ was having a scan today but speculated he might play against Birmingham. I don't think so Roberto!

He talked about a 'strong team' on Sunday just 2 or 3 changes. I'm sure Milner will start and maybe either Silva or Yaya on the bench with three games in a week coming up.

well according to SSN MJ is on the way to either leicester or leeds so id say its certain he will play no part.

A loan move to his Uncle Sven's in Lecicester would do him, them and us the world of good. Get it done.

[Mike J]

Thanks Doug. Was Assulin involved? He only played for 20 minutes in the EDS match.

I'd be gobsmacked if MJ started on Sunday but it would be great to see him get a few minutes.

Mancini pretty well said that SWP wasn't going anywhere because of the injury to AJ so we might see him start.

He also said that AJ was having a scan today but speculated he might play against Birmingham. I don't think so Roberto!

He talked about a 'strong team' on Sunday just 2 or 3 changes. I'm sure Milner will start and maybe either Silva or Yaya on the bench with three games in a week coming up.

well according to SSN MJ is on the way to either leicester or leeds so id say its certain he will play no part.

A loan move to his Uncle Sven's in Lecicester would do him, them and us the world of good. Get it done.

definately. looks like we have a good little link with leicester going there. sven knows how good he is as well.

[Fesan]

Thanks for the report:-) A few mins from MJ this weekend would be magical!

[blues2win]

Leicester would be an excellent choice for MJ, as others have said. Sven would look after him and give him a decent amount of game time.

[Biamp]

Cheers Doug, great report as usual. Good to hear Johnno is being involved fully.

[silvalinin]

Doug do u think they gai will be in the squad for notts.

[Cityfan]

As for Assulin I'll be intrigued to see whether he makes it into the 25. Maybe he'll have to wait for next season. He gave a nice short interview on the OS; no hint of arrogance and a willingness to work hard and improve. Good stuff.

Don't think he will be named in the 25 man squad as he is under 21 surely, same as Balotelli?

[blues2win]

Quite right. I keep forgetting this point!

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Doug do u think they gai will be in the squad for notts.

No I don't. I think it is too soon for him in the context of him regaining his fitness.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Doug what do you reckon the chances of any of the youngsters such as Guidetti or Nimely making an appearance on Sunday?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Doug what do you reckon the chances of any of the youngsters such as Guidetti or Nimely making an appearance on Sunday?

I think we might be short of numbers for a team and a full bench without one or 2 reserves. Nimley I think won't be fit after injury so I think Guidetti should be in with a shout. I just don't know what Mancini thinks about him.I think like many others he is a better shout on the bench than Jo but Mancini certainly hasn't so far.

I wouldnt be surprised if either Tutte or Kay might make the bench ( if not Assulin cos of fitness) and Tutte would be my pick of the 2.

[getdressedmctavish]

Great stuff Doug. As regards Jo v Guidetti, I reckon Bert fancies Jo purely for his defensive qualities and the way he keeps his discipline and team shape out on the left. Its not for his goal scoring prowess, is it?

[Ted Hughes]

Great stuff Doug. As regards Jo v Guidetti, I reckon Bert fancies Jo purely for his defensive qualities and the way he keeps his discipline and team shape out on the left. Its not for his goal scoring prowess, is it?

If he does, he's probably in the wrong line of work.