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Back after what seemed an enormously long break and typically met by a miserable gloomy drizzly day.But it was all lifted as I was accompanied by Lewis for the first time in yonks.20 players on show today ( excluding keepers) with Nigel and Gazza missing but back in the fold was Nedum and fitting in like he had never been away and looking very trim and fit. He walked across to the pitch in full conversation with Kolo. Nasri was last out with a fancy bandage contraption on his left hand.

All fairly low key it seemed to me and no surprise at that given all the travelling that some had done.Gentle jogging, a couple of light exercises before Mancini took a team away for some work behind fencing. A bit of defending and a bit of attacking was the order of the day and then he changes all the personell for more of the same.The players left just played keep ball circle stuff and enjoyed a laugh.Mario worked separately with a physio on some running.

Then quickly into a game which was as intense as I have seen but again given so many have just got back from internationals is to be xpected.Some cracking goals though. mario bagged two nice ones with the 2nd being an excellent pass into the corner after he had cleverly worked space and used the defender as a shield. Dzeko also scoring 2 and looking like a man in peak form as we know he is.

Tevez wasnt to be out done and probably scored the best of the bunch with some great footwork, a quick one two and great finish. Followed soon after with a lovely chip over the keeper.The only other one I recall was a very clever left footer side foot into the corner through a defenders legs by that goal poacher Nedum. It really was a classy finish.Quite a short game in the end and only a couple stayed out for a bit extra but no shooting practice this time.

Owen Hargreaves just blended in and much to the disappointment of all the cameras didn't fall down injured.He looked fit and well and a good footballer end of story for today.

Great update Doug - so Nasri was playing and Hargreaves looked the part...happy days

Cheers doug. fancied going down to day,but my brother let me down and the weather was the final nail in the coffin. Whens de jong back, and ideas?

Owen Hargreaves just blended in and much to the disappointment of all the cameras didn't fall down injured.He looked fit and well and a good footballer.

Sorry Doug, you're wrong.

He's rubbish, he's a rag and he's a crock.

cheers doug, can't wait for Saturday.

CityGer wrote:

Owen Hargreaves just blended in and much to the disappointment of all the cameras didn't fall down injured.He looked fit and well and a good footballer.

Sorry Doug, you're wrong.

He's rubbish, he's a rag and he's a crock.

Hahaha The "gamble" may not work but he sure as hell ain't rubbish :)

Great report Doug.

Good to hear that all of the strikers are competing and finding the back of the net. I expect Dzeko to start versus Wigan and when we rack up a few goals see maybe Mario or Tevez in the second half for a lengthy run out.

Cheers Doug. How did Nasri look/play even with aforementioned fancy bandage ...

Cheers doug as always, if Ned is back any sign of Bridge?? Wonder will ned ever get near 1st team, does he have a squad number these days?

Was Hargreaves in like proper full training then? With the rest of the squad in the matches etc?

Nice one Doug.

steveo_88 wrote:Great report Doug.

Good to hear that all of the strikers are competing and finding the back of the net. I expect Dzeko to start versus Wigan and when we rack up a few goals see maybe Mario or Tevez in the second half for a lengthy run out.

That plan would allow Dzeko to start the Napoli game.

twosips wrote:Was Hargreaves in like proper full training then? With the rest of the squad in the matches etc?

Yes fully involved.His nurse held the crutches.

Dubciteh wrote:Cheers doug as always, if Ned is back any sign of Bridge?? Wonder will ned ever get near 1st team, does he have a squad number these days?

I didn't see him but apparently he was training with the reserves today

Chinners wrote:Cheers Doug. How did Nasri look/play even with aforementioned fancy bandage ...

It was a very noticeable,big thing but he just got on with training with no problems from what I saw.He would need to have a training session or 2 with it to prove,to himself and the boss, that it wouldnt bother him when it matters

Cheers Doug, top report as always. Finally the Premier League is back!!!

Cheers Doug.

If Hargreaves is fit & plays anything like he used to, I'm just going to wake up each morning pissing myself with laughter for the forseeable future.

Well, that's the DT's sorted. Cheers Doug, it does seem a hell of a long time.

What's do you think the chances of Mario and/or Carlos getting a run-out, considering Dzeko and Aguero have been away on International Duty?

Beefymcfc wrote:Well, that's the DT's sorted. Cheers Doug, it does seem a hell of a long time.

What's do you think the chances of Mario and/or Carlos getting a run-out, considering Dzeko and Aguero have been away on International Duty?

How could I possibly read the mind of Roberto Mancini? Personally I would be amazed if Carlos didn't start against Wigan though and I would have thought it was the ideal chance to give Mario a run out to show what he is all about.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Well, that's the DT's sorted. Cheers Doug, it does seem a hell of a long time.

What's do you think the chances of Mario and/or Carlos getting a run-out, considering Dzeko and Aguero have been away on International Duty?

How could I possibly read the mind of Roberto Mancini? Personally I would be amazed if Carlos didn't start against Wigan though and I would have thought it was the ideal chance to give Mario a run out to show what he is all about.

Didn't he give you that look; you know, the one that says it all?

Plus, I'm sure you seen the set-up ;-)

Beefymcfc wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Well, that's the DT's sorted. Cheers Doug, it does seem a hell of a long time.

What's do you think the chances of Mario and/or Carlos getting a run-out, considering Dzeko and Aguero have been away on International Duty?

How could I possibly read the mind of Roberto Mancini? Personally I would be amazed if Carlos didn't start against Wigan though and I would have thought it was the ideal chance to give Mario a run out to show what he is all about.

Didn't he give you that look; you know, the one that says it all?

Plus, I'm sure you seen the set-up ;-)

There have been many times when the way they have trained,especially the players used would give away the team for the next game but I don't think it did today (nor did it for the last one).The first"team" he worked with today could be the Wigan team but I feel sure it wasnt.The defence was very likely but not the midfield so maybe he was mix and matching just to keep watchers guessing. Or maybe the players?

With the quality we have you could select any 11,any formation and if they play well on the day we would have a great chance of winning.Just think if Carlos and Mario start we have Dzeko and Aguero on the bench!