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Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 2:40 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
Happy Christmas to everyone. Priviledged again to watch from inside at Carrington alongside BMoon's NMT and here's his report:

I was kindly allowed in to watch training today along with DH, it's a little different watching them at such close quarters rather than up high on a tree stump or ladders.

20 players on show today, including Micah, Kolarov and Dzeko, the morning started with the boss talking to the players as he does but at the end a special congratulations went to Yaya for his award along with a warm handshake from Mancini and big cheers from his teammates.

The players then went onto a light session with the usual ball work and stretching excercises, little one two's, laying the ball off to the next person then pushing for the outside of the square, all designed to warm the body up.

Onto another pitch where there was some ferocious tackling done on Mancini and Aguero by the metal mannequins, both walking backwards into them without seeing them and ending up on the floor, i'm sure the club are happy the fences are up now or that would have been definately in the press over the next couple of days, Mario found the two instances hilarious!

Yaya departed the action after the first session due to his travel schedule recently, nothing to worry about.

Then back into a game situation with 10 v 10 on a half of the pitch, basically one side had to get 10 passes in whilst the other team had to stop them and when they got possession they had to try and score, that was all about keeping the ball and Mancini was very vocal on this, the session then ended with the defence being kept back for a chat whilst we were ushered off to the exit.

Very grateful for the visit today, it's certainly harder to judge and see what's going on when you're at ground level.


We had Vieira on one side and Nasri's younger brothers on the other. Can't be bad but today my special moment was getting a big christmas hug from Sharon Latham the official City photographer. With the extra fencing all around now there were just 2 other fans trying their best to get a view and no photographers in sight. As we were shown to the pitch by Jose we got just a brief nod of ackowledgement from the boss before he gathered the players together for the usual initial chat.

Mancini worked with 2 separate teams (interspoersed withthe mannequins) and it was a bit of back to basics and reminders of the required shape for different situations and of course plenty of passing movements. Simple but essential and effective stuff.It finished with a little on defending set pieces before all the players were changed around so the boss could do the same work with a different 11. Really hard to decide which was the best of the 2 teams!

Not that much to say about the 10 v 10 game.Cant remember a goal although Nigel had one disallowed for an earlier foul. Plenty of effort and intensity about it though which is even more apparent being closer to the action.Kolarov and Dzeko fully involved today and looking fine so really only Hargreaves not fully involved as he was working very hard close by with a couple of the coaches.

So that was that. Didnt see the final part with Mancini working with all the defenders but I expect it would have been quite a short session.No shooting practice at the end for anyone but I do remember thinking about the last training session where AJ stayed late ( he often does) to practice his shots from the edge of the box.Always good to see that pay off the following day with that goal against Stoke.

How about 6 points from the next 2 games as a christmas present?

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 2:57 pm
by ruralblue
Cheers a always Doug, so so chuffed about the pass!

CHINNERS Take note!!! - Might be Christmas Eve but Doug's done his duty, no looking at your Christmas Baubels today??? Wheres your bollox at?

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:07 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
I forgot to add that they are training tomorrow.(no I won't be there) An early short session and then home for most of the day before back to Carrington and off to a hotel I assume in Brum.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:34 pm
by craigmcfc
What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 3:53 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
craigmcfc wrote:What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?



Has somebody not been paying attention or am I misreading the question? I think this is a punishable offence so go and stand in the corner while somebody comes up with a suitable punishment :)

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:51 pm
by ruralblue
craigmcfc wrote:What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?


No wonder Chinners as not given you anything to jerk off to over Christmas! Pay attention Doug IS Carrington!

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 4:53 pm
by shawzy
When she hugged you, did it turn into anything more intimate? ;-$
Oh and a great report a usual pal.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 5:39 pm
by Ted Hughes
Merry Christmas Doug.

Not only do you get a pass, but now you're getting someone to write the reports for you as well as getting Christmas day off. Soon you'll be too good for the likes of us..

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:11 pm
by craigmcfc
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
craigmcfc wrote:What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?



Has somebody not been paying attention or am I misreading the question? I think this is a punishable offence so go and stand in the corner while somebody comes up with a suitable punishment :)


I thought you said that they let you in just today? Have I missed you getting a permanent pass into training?

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:14 pm
by Douglas Higginbottom
craigmcfc wrote:
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
craigmcfc wrote:What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?



Has somebody not been paying attention or am I misreading the question? I think this is a punishable offence so go and stand in the corner while somebody comes up with a suitable punishment :)


I thought you said that they let you in just today? Have I missed you getting a permanent pass into training?



I was allowed inside last Tuesday and again today.Whilst it isn't a "pass" giving me unlimited entry whenever I want I do hope it will be a regular thing each week.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:15 pm
by craigmcfc
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
craigmcfc wrote:
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
craigmcfc wrote:What's your current position in view of the higher fences Doug? Can you still see over them or are the club doing anything if not?



Has somebody not been paying attention or am I misreading the question? I think this is a punishable offence so go and stand in the corner while somebody comes up with a suitable punishment :)


I thought you said that they let you in just today? Have I missed you getting a permanent pass into training?



I was allowed inside last Tuesday and again today.Whilst it isn't a "pass" giving me unlimited entry whenever I want I do hope it will be a regular thing each week.


Ahhh that's good to hear, I hope so too.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 7:20 pm
by Nige
Good work as always DH. We need you keep a look out for new signings being shown around after xmas.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:26 pm
by Beefymcfc
Cheers Doug and probably the best thread to say 'Merry Christmas to you, and a Very Merry Christmas to all'.

And to those who don't have it so great, keep your Chinners Up, you've always got someone to talk to on here, even if it is Slim and Carl.

;-)

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 9:40 pm
by CityGer
Well said Beefy.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:05 pm
by zuricity
Beefy.... You sad b'std.... :-)

Merry Christmas to all and one ... Inparticular.... Mr carl ftg.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:13 pm
by Beefymcfc
zuricity wrote:Beefy.... You sad b'std.... :-)

Merry Christmas to all and one ... Inparticular.... Mr carl ftg.

Love ya man ;-)

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 10:36 pm
by Green & Blue
Great report as usual
Doug, really delighted you are getting in behind closed doors its a great achievement.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sat Dec 24, 2011 11:14 pm
by Whassat
I hope you can get in to watch future training sessions as well Doug, these reports are worth their bandwidth in gold for us supporters.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:24 am
by Biamp
Whassat wrote:I hope you can get in to watch future training sessions as well Doug, these reports are worth their bandwidth in gold for us supporters.


No doubt. Great read all the time.

Re: Training Christmas Eve

PostPosted: Sun Dec 25, 2011 9:36 am
by Douglas Higginbottom
Biamp wrote:
Whassat wrote:I hope you can get in to watch future training sessions as well Doug, these reports are worth their bandwidth in gold for us supporters.


No doubt. Great read all the time.



Thanks all and a very merry christmas.Just watching the 6.1 again to start the day in good style.