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A near full turn out today with 19 players on view for the watching cameras in for the pre Europa game viewing.And for a change today the keepers did their work right up against the fencing where the fans(10) were gathered.AJ and Milner were fully involved in everything which was good news and Boateng back as well but Zaba and MJ not around.No Razak either si I expect he will be playing EDS tonight.

Zaba I assume still sorting stuff back home and the word on MJ is a twinge in the knee but nothing serious. The sort of thing that happens after a long term injury and he is expected back out training this week. Not likely to see him on the pitch for the first team this year I would guess.

It all seemed quiet today but it didnt stop Mario creeping up behind Patrick for a bit of silly fun followed immediately by smashing a ball into an unguarded net and a solo celebration with nobody taking and notice.It must be great to be in his world:) Plenty of warm up stuff and Tevez stepping out for a while to get his foot looked at by a physio.Mancini did some of his usual teamwork on shape/formation and passing but it wasnt that obvious how he is likely to set up tomorrow.

Then onto a game which was 11 v 10 on a half pitch.Very congested. SWP crossed for Dzeko to slide the first goal in and he followed quite quickly to score a hat trick.The last two were very good finishes after a good first touch.A few fans had managed to climb into a tree to watch and seemed very pleased to see their idol Mario close up.Not sure how impressed he was when they wailed out his name after he smashed a shot miles wide and then again shortly after when it went miles over..

Tevez then scored a clever goal chipping the approaching keeper and then even better with a nutmeg. Certainly no signs of a problem with his foot.AJ scored, Mario got one ,plenty of disputes about off sides with Nigel shouting loudest( they were off as a well).Stu Taylor made a few very good saves and from one AK was very quick to clear the rebound which was good to see. JM and GB scored and I saw Jo rise majestically to get his head onto a corner from AJ.The ball flew over majestically as well.

The final goal came from Kolo but the downside on the day was Boateng limping away early.Didnt look to bad but might be a thigh strain type injury.Joe Hart was also having a little trouble with what could have been hay fever as his eyes were streaming a bit but maybe he had the Mario allergy.Joe was given a little extra work when the rest went in so he must have been ok and Dzeko stayed to spend some time with Kidd talking about a few moves.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Zaba I assume still sorting stuff back home

Have I missed something here?

Tony P wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Zaba I assume still sorting stuff back home

Have I missed something here?

I heard he was allowed to go back home last Saturday I think to sort out some personal things.

Great news about AJ.

good to hear for MJ!!!!
I hope everything's just fine

Cheers for the effort, one of the reasons i joined.

Great to hear they had a good session, particularly in respect to the importance of the game coming up.

I realise they are often not on a full sized pitch, but I'm wondering Doug if they play the same 'slowing down the forward momentum' in build up play in training like they seem to do all too often in games, or is there a distinct diference ?

I ask because I'm trying to understand, like others, where this overcautious build up play is coming from.

brite blu sky wrote:Great to hear they had a good session, particularly in respect to the importance of the game coming up.

I realise they are often not on a full sized pitch, but I'm wondering Doug if they play the same 'slowing down the forward momentum' in build up play in training like they seem to do all too often in games, or is there a distinct diference ?

I ask because I'm trying to understand, like others, where this overcautious build up play is coming from.

When they work on a full pitch ( and don't forget it's usually without players in opposition) it's often a slow passing build up and then to suddenly spring into action.Today they did a little work with 3 players attacking them and then the plan seemed to be to break very quickly as a team when the ball broke. When it's on a small pitch it is literally all about the first touch and movement.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

brite blu sky wrote:Great to hear they had a good session, particularly in respect to the importance of the game coming up.

I realise they are often not on a full sized pitch, but I'm wondering Doug if they play the same 'slowing down the forward momentum' in build up play in training like they seem to do all too often in games, or is there a distinct diference ?

I ask because I'm trying to understand, like others, where this overcautious build up play is coming from.

When they work on a full pitch ( and don't forget it's usually without players in opposition) it's often a slow passing build up and then to suddenly spring into action.Today they did a little work with 3 players attacking them and then the plan seemed to be to break very quickly as a team when the ball broke. When it's on a small pitch it is literally all about the first touch and movement.

Ok, cheers Doug. That seems to suggest that they are training to be patient and keep probing until an opportunity arises out of the movement of the forward players. It would suggest that the training IS attempting to instill what we see in games. Maybe I'm reading too much into that ?

brite blu sky wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

brite blu sky wrote:Great to hear they had a good session, particularly in respect to the importance of the game coming up.

I realise they are often not on a full sized pitch, but I'm wondering Doug if they play the same 'slowing down the forward momentum' in build up play in training like they seem to do all too often in games, or is there a distinct diference ?

I ask because I'm trying to understand, like others, where this overcautious build up play is coming from.

When they work on a full pitch ( and don't forget it's usually without players in opposition) it's often a slow passing build up and then to suddenly spring into action.Today they did a little work with 3 players attacking them and then the plan seemed to be to break very quickly as a team when the ball broke. When it's on a small pitch it is literally all about the first touch and movement.

Ok, cheers Doug. That seems to suggest that they are training to be patient and keep probing until an opportunity arises out of the movement of the forward players. It would suggest that the training IS attempting to instill what we see in games. Maybe I'm reading too much into that ?

It sounds like how Brazil used to play in the 70s. Slow, slow, slow - then bam a quick move to goal. Basically control the pace of the game and catch your opponents off guard. We are starting to do this better (good runs up top and the mids looking for the pass) but we often lack the final pass or finish. Just look at the reading game: 4 1v1s with the goalie in the first half alone, all shot straight at him

Cheers, great to hear that AJ and Milner are fully involved.

That AJ video posted the other day, from You Tube, which highlights what he did to Liverpool this season really reminded me how vital he is to giving us width, trickery and pace. We have sorely missed him.