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The training today was behind fences but at least they were very close as they used the pitch closest to the buildings.Probably the best pitch for viewing if you have steps as you can hear all the banter and get a real feel for the fun and team spirit which does seem excellent throughout.Much the same group as yesterday minus some of the EDS guys who will be playing tonight v Chelsea.Mcgivern was here today though so maybe it's Wabara and Veseli playing tonight as the center back partnership.

Whilst the coaches were waiting for the players to come out the fun started when the sprinklers came into action catching out Platt and Mancini who were right in the firing line. The keepers are always out first but Mario wasnt far behind today so to pass some time he did some of the warm up exercises they do. Decent hands too.Yaya was out soon after and I think, as they were chatting and a sprinkler came on near them, Mario made sure Yaya got wet.Yaya wanted some sort of revenge so started chasing a laughing Mario away from the pitches and into a dead end corner of the field.

Mario found a kind of safety behind some nets but Yaya just sat down to wait for him to come out.Meanwhile Mancini was starting to gather the troops to give his initial address and had to send Jose, his interpreter/assistant, away to get the children from wherever they were.Can't beat a bit of playground fun.Then it was into a variety of jogs,exercises and stretches before Mancini took a team to do some team play and largely attacking work.He finished this part with a few corners but I doubt much was gained from that as one flew too far and another into the side netting.

The final part was a 10 a side game.Before they started this a few were taking pot shots at Sharon, the photographer for the OS, led of course by Mario.Thankfully no direct hits. Kolarov sat out the game but there was no evident problem and towards the end it was good to see Nigel come out to work with a physio.Only 3 goals scored today with 2 nice assists from Tevez for Barry and Dzeko.The other was a nice near post header from Jo from a Milner cross.

Probably the funniest moment was in the first few seconds of the game where a misplaced pass from somebody went straight to Richards coming back from offside.Of course, as the pass was from the opposition Micah wasnt off side but the coach running the line there flagged him.The funny bit was how all the good spirits immediately disappeared as the ultra competitive players started screaming abuse at the "officials" running the game. Maybe that's why he did it as the alternative was that he didn't know the rules.

The overall session lasted an hour but a few stayed out for some shooting practice.Milner,AJ and Dzeko.Pretty good too.

do you think tevez will play any part on sat
or v spurs, great report doug as usual.

Cheeeeeers Douglas. Would you say our percentage of attacking practice has increased over time?

feedthegreek wrote:do you think tevez will play any part on sat
or v spurs, great report doug as usual.

If Saturday was the last match of the season I think he would be involved but I think it would be madness if he plays Saturday. Even a sub role would be a surprise but I wouldnt rule it out.

dazby wrote:Cheeeeeers Douglas. Would you say our percentage of attacking practice has increased over time?

I think that is a carefull worded question :) Of course there was emphasis on defensive work and team shape etc etc at the start and for quite a while after but there has always been time spent on passing and attacking plays.That time on attacking probably hasnt changed at all but yes ,because there is less time spent on defence there is more time spent % wise on attacking.

Hi Mr H.

Nice, informative report as always.

From what (little ??) you've seen of him so far, how do you rate Veseli ?? What attributes/flaws does he possess and are there any signs he might, hopefully, develop one day into a potential 1st team player (with us) ??

Did Carlos take full part in training Doug or was it just a bit of the session?

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Hi Mr H.

Nice, informative report as always.

From what (little ??) you've seen of him so far, how do you rate Veseli ?? What attributes/flaws does he possess and are there any signs he might, hopefully, develop one day into a potential 1st team player (with us) ??

I have seen Veseli a few times for the EDS ( and the academy side ) plus the odd training session with the first team and I will sit on the fence. On the good side he is strong and I think fairly quick but I felt his reading of the game and positioning was distinctly average.He is only 18 though ( he looks older) so maybe I am expecting too much.I think it was the EDS game v Blackburn a few weeks ago where he looked quite poor and a bit lost as a center back but that just might have been one of those days.

Some days he has looked confident and others the exact opposite so let's just wait and see. As a comparison I think Wabara looks quality.

Beefymcfc wrote:Did Carlos take full part in training Doug or was it just a bit of the session?

Carlos was fully involved today and looking good.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Did Carlos take full part in training Doug or was it just a bit of the session?

Carlos was fully involved today and looking good.

Cheers pal, much appreciated.

Another set back MJ?

Maybe but I just get the feeling that neither side ( manager or player) is really bothered either way.The fact that he doesnt seem to have been in the frame for the EDS in the last month suggests to me a decision has been taken!

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Maybe but I just get the feeling that neither side ( manager or player) is really bothered either way.The fact that he doesnt seem to have been in the frame for the EDS in the last month suggests to me a decision has been taken!

A while back I mentioned seeing him outside a bar/eatery in Chorlton. When I saw him that day I didn't approach him because A: I was covered in shit & B: he looked very downhearted, as did the geezer sat with him. Since then, I don't recall you mentioning him being very involved, so perhaps the setback/decision happened around then.