Training Sunday 14/8
Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 12:12 pm20 players out today with the only change being Mario instead of Razak( did I mention Kolo being invloved?).The EDS lads were also out training and they included Vlad ( I think) plus Guidetti and Assulin plus Bridge.Not Bellers as far as I could see and definitely not Ade.
A really good competitive session today. Nothing much different or anything special happening but just an enjoyable strong 90 minutes.One or 2 fans there who are not regulars commenting on how good the team spirit was despite whet they read in the press.Great to meet Per(Eriksson) and Marten over for the game from Sweden and I hope they can be good luck omens for a win.
Routine warm up stuff followed by a couple of keep ball circles which were better than usual as they were so close to the fence we were stood at.Always good to hear the banter close up.They then broke off into a keep ball game,alternating between large nets (goals only to be scored with headers) and small nets(goals only with one touch).As I said all routine stuff but competitive nonetheless. The final part was a full game but on half a pitch.
As we were so close up it really does make you realise how little time players have on the ball when closing down is done well and quickly.Exagerated because it was a small pitch but it gets the players moving well for each other and makes that first touch so essential. There weren't tackles flying in but no quarter was given and I think only one goal scored,that from David Silva with a sublime left footer. A couple of very close shaves on Joe's goal but one really good save with his feet, a nice fingertip around from Yaya and a great saving flick from Vinnie kept a clean sheet.
The main work finished there but a bunch stayed behind for some shooting practice whilst Mancini took the defenders for a bit of a tactical chat.We stood behind the goal with Joe and Stu in and the banter was great stuff.Joe telling Nigel he wasn't invited to shoot from the edge of the box as that's where he gives away free kicks and Nigel putting a couple past him as the best reply.Milner was good as usual and full of chat as was Mario. Kolarov took a while to get his range,SWP scored quite a few before retiring to a buggy for a rest and to start a bit of a running commentary.
Joe decided to take on the shooting role as well leaving a fairly knackered Stu to do all the real work. Cant say I remember Joe getting one past him though.
A really good competitive session today. Nothing much different or anything special happening but just an enjoyable strong 90 minutes.One or 2 fans there who are not regulars commenting on how good the team spirit was despite whet they read in the press.Great to meet Per(Eriksson) and Marten over for the game from Sweden and I hope they can be good luck omens for a win.
Routine warm up stuff followed by a couple of keep ball circles which were better than usual as they were so close to the fence we were stood at.Always good to hear the banter close up.They then broke off into a keep ball game,alternating between large nets (goals only to be scored with headers) and small nets(goals only with one touch).As I said all routine stuff but competitive nonetheless. The final part was a full game but on half a pitch.
As we were so close up it really does make you realise how little time players have on the ball when closing down is done well and quickly.Exagerated because it was a small pitch but it gets the players moving well for each other and makes that first touch so essential. There weren't tackles flying in but no quarter was given and I think only one goal scored,that from David Silva with a sublime left footer. A couple of very close shaves on Joe's goal but one really good save with his feet, a nice fingertip around from Yaya and a great saving flick from Vinnie kept a clean sheet.
The main work finished there but a bunch stayed behind for some shooting practice whilst Mancini took the defenders for a bit of a tactical chat.We stood behind the goal with Joe and Stu in and the banter was great stuff.Joe telling Nigel he wasn't invited to shoot from the edge of the box as that's where he gives away free kicks and Nigel putting a couple past him as the best reply.Milner was good as usual and full of chat as was Mario. Kolarov took a while to get his range,SWP scored quite a few before retiring to a buggy for a rest and to start a bit of a running commentary.
Joe decided to take on the shooting role as well leaving a fairly knackered Stu to do all the real work. Cant say I remember Joe getting one past him though.