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As expected hordes of press today and I saw at least 3 vans with satellite dishes on top (usually just the 1) but as I got into position there was just my old mate Neil (BMoon) perched on the tree watching the Mancini on his IPad or whatever.The players filtered out in small groups chatting away and it looked like the same bunch as yesterday minus Hargreaves which I heard was precautionary.

Usual warm ups and then into keep ball circles with the boss joining in.Maybe he wanted to just get involved and run of some frustration.As they were right next to the fence everything could be heard and the banted was very good as usual.The quiet of yesterday was replaced with plenty of fun and noise.Once mancini got in the center of the circle there were cries from Micah of keep him in ,keep him in.One Lescott tackle made the boss wince and struggle for a minute but it was all received in good humour.

Whilst this was going on Kolarov was sent off in the other circle as they were getting stuck in as well.A pass and move followed this with goals only to be scored with headers.Goalscorers were mostly defenders but it ended with Micah up top pleading for the ball to be alunched for him so he could perform a famous leap. It eventually came and he ended up diving horizontally to head a beauty.

Then a break for drinks ( none for me sadly as I was cooking!) before Mancini took a team away to another pitch for some preparation work for Saturday. Much of the same stuff as usual both in attacking work and defensive. Not a long session and they all came back together for a game. Defences definitely on top until some confusion between Panti and Savic left Barry a tap in. Followed quickly by another poor clearance which Milner hammered home.

Themn came a contraversial moment where Nigel was bursting through and apparently fouled by Zaba. Massive appeals as Nigel writhed in agony and a penalty was given by Lombardo ( who wasnt really in a great position to give it).Both sides were very loud in appealling or denying the pen but eventually it was confirmed and Dzeko came out of the pack to slot it home after a stutter.Joe wasnt even watching I don't think so it was taken again by Aguero who scored very well.Nigel was of course fine!

The incident clearly upped the ante and the game became extra nosiy and intense as both sides were after the winner.I thought it was 2.1 but Vinnie insisted it was 2.2 so I must have missed one.Both teams were really at it and I reckon Lombardo sensed something so waved across to the boss who signalled the end.Seconds later the final whistle was blown much to the disappointment of the players who wanted golden goal. Nigel was very loud wanting more but went to Lombardo and out his arms round him laughing.

5 stayed out for a bit for some free kick practice whilst Savic and Kolo worked separately with coaches on some extra work.Definitely a good upbeat session today so roll on Blackburn.

Then on the way home,driving down Harboro Road in Sale and there's this superstar out for a stroll.I got a nice wave back from the legend that is Tony Book.

Cheers as always Douglas.

By the way Are they ok with you cooking? Is it one of those disposable BBQ`s?

I love these reports
Thanks Doug :-)

Surrey Sky Blue wrote:Cheers as always Douglas.

By the way Are they ok with you cooking? Is it one of those disposable BBQ`s?

I have a license to do whatever I want:)

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
I have a license to do whatever I want:)

Wooo Doug now has a pass.

Thanks for the report mate, top work as always.

Nice report, as usual Mr H, so many thanks.

From the times you have now seen him in training, what's your overall assessment of Savic ?? In your opinion (which everyone values) does he have it in him, at the moment, to jump above Kolo in the batting order, to compete for a first team place with Kompany and Lescott ??

It would be interesting to know your thoughts.

as always
one and only doug

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Surrey Sky Blue wrote:Cheers as always Douglas.

By the way Are they ok with you cooking? Is it one of those disposable BBQ`s?

I have a license to do whatever I want:)

Yes but was it a disposable BBQ Doug, that's what everyone wants to know?

who cares if it was 2-1, 2-0, 2-2 ...

brite blu sky wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Surrey Sky Blue wrote:Cheers as always Douglas.

By the way Are they ok with you cooking? Is it one of those disposable BBQ`s?

I have a license to do whatever I want:)

Yes but was it a disposable BBQ Doug, that's what everyone wants to know?

who cares if it was 2-1, 2-0, 2-2 ...

It wasn't a wave back from Tony Book, it was an angry fist wave because Doug ate all the burgers.

Nice one Doug.

Let's hope we get some more of this good weather for the trip to Ewood Park. Early goal against Rovers and I think we could rack up the score.

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Nice report, as usual Mr H, so many thanks.

From the times you have now seen him in training, what's your overall assessment of Savic ?? In your opinion (which everyone values) does he have it in him, at the moment, to jump above Kolo in the batting order, to compete for a first team place with Kompany and Lescott ??

It would be interesting to know your thoughts.

Tough question as it's only in matches you can ever really tell about a player.The matches I see at training are almost only ever on half a pitch and get pretty congested.Gut feel though is yes he is the business.

Getting above Kolo is unlikely for a while though as the manager obviously rates him very highly as evidenced with the team selection for Bayern.He needs to be given some good opportunities so we can find out and I have a fear this might not happen beyond the carling cup

Cheers Mr Higgi.

Have you seen them practise set pieces at all recently?

Was it cooking sherry you were on, Doug? Not up to your usual grammatical standards ? ;)

Great hopes for Savic and Rekik eventually >> Jones and Smalling.

dazby wrote:Cheers Mr Higgi.

Have you seen them practise set pieces at all recently?

They were doing that at the end yesterday. 20-25 yarders ,a little different but not too much.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Nice report, as usual Mr H, so many thanks.

From the times you have now seen him in training, what's your overall assessment of Savic ?? In your opinion (which everyone values) does he have it in him, at the moment, to jump above Kolo in the batting order, to compete for a first team place with Kompany and Lescott ??

It would be interesting to know your thoughts.

Tough question as it's only in matches you can ever really tell about a player.The matches I see at training are almost only ever on half a pitch and get pretty congested.Gut feel though is yes he is the business.

Getting above Kolo is unlikely for a while though as the manager obviously rates him very highly as evidenced with the team selection for Bayern.He needs to be given some good opportunities so we can find out and I have a fear this might not happen beyond the carling cup

What I meant add was that he has a great leap on him:)

His little cameos are good aren't they?