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And bloody hot it was too.Meeting with George Evans on Saturday made me keen to go even if it was just to watch the EDS boys in action with Vieira.I worked on a 10.30 start but when i got there there were some players already going in after an initial session.

Schoolboy error number 1 for me though was to wear shorts.I completely forgot how much the nettles,brambles,thorns etc grew in the summer making the path alongside the fencing close to impassible in parts.There were about 8 first teamers doing warm up routines and 2 on the bleep test.Nasri was one of them after what seemed a good long chat with the boss.I kept wandering round to watch the EDS boys on the far side as there is no fencing there (yet)All the other areas seem to have had the fencing renewed and now there are no holes at all.

The action was underway with the EDS and the first player I saw was Pozo working 1 to 1 with a physio.Clearly a distance to go before he plays again but good to see him outside kicking a ball again.The rest were all in hard action in two groups.Vieira watching closely and with plenty of words of encouragement.I think these lads had already got a few days training under their belts and all I saw was work with the ball.Very short sharp football exercises which tired me out just watching.

Emyr Huws/Boyata were working with the first team but there were over 20 boys here,including Harry Bunn,Scapuzzi,Wabara andDrury back from his loan spell.The one who caught my eye was Fofana.Strong and quick and a good touch but we will see in games whether he can play with his head up and enough intelligence.After the initial stuff I saw they change into 4 teams and played a pass ,move, press game with a point scored for each run of 8 completed passes.The games were fast and only 4 minutes long but the action was good.Vieira often reminding them to make the ball do the work and keep it simple.

I moved back the 1st teamers out and watched a 5 a side game where I saw immediately why Joleon is staying as he rifled home the first goal.Quickly followed by a nice one from Scott Sinclair and then Huws and another from Scott.The bast though came from Fred with a nice give and go,good movement and first touch and then slotted home with ease.I think Fred was Fernandinho anyway.

I called it a day then.Some other players were now doing the bleep test.Maybe Vinnie,Maicon and others going in as I macheted my way back to the car thinking I must be better prepared next time.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:And bloody hot it was too.Meeting with George Evans on Saturday made me keen to go even if it was just to watch the EDS boys in action with Vieira.I worked on a 10.30 start but when i got there there were some players already going in after an initial session.

Schoolboy error number 1 for me though was to wear shorts.I completely forgot how much the nettles,brambles,thorns etc grew in the summer making the path alongside the fencing close to impassible in parts.There were about 8 first teamers doing warm up routines and 2 on the bleep test.Nasri was one of them after what seemed a good long chat with the boss.I kept wandering round to watch the EDS boys on the far side as there is no fencing there (yet)All the other areas seem to have had the fencing renewed and now there are no holes at all.

The action was underway with the EDS and the first player I saw was Pozo working 1 to 1 with a physio.Clearly a distance to go before he plays again but good to see him outside kicking a ball again.The rest were all in hard action in two groups.Vieira watching closely and with plenty of words of encouragement.I think these lads had already got a few days training under their belts and all I saw was work with the ball.Very short sharp football exercises which tired me out just watching.

Emyr Huws/Boyata were working with the first team but there were over 20 boys here,including Harry Bunn,Scapuzzi,Wabara andDrury back from his loan spell.The one who caught my eye was Fofana.Strong and quick and a good touch but we will see in games whether he can play with his head up and enough intelligence.After the initial stuff I saw they change into 4 teams and played a pass ,move, press game with a point scored for each run of 8 completed passes.The games were fast and only 4 minutes long but the action was good.Vieira often reminding them to make the ball do the work and keep it simple.

I moved back the 1st teamers out and watched a 5 a side game where I saw immediately why Joleon is staying as he rifled home the first goal.Quickly followed by a nice one from Scott Sinclair and then Huws and another from Scott.The bast though came from Fred with a nice give and go,good movement and first touch and then slotted home with ease.I think Fred was Fernandinho anyway.

I called it a day then.Some other players were now doing the bleep test.Maybe Vinnie,Maicon and others going in as I macheted my way back to the car thinking I must be better prepared next time.

I thought Sinclair would be unable to train until Septemberish? Nice to hear he's up and running.

cheers doug. first training of the season - even with the pics on the OS it didn't feel official until a training report from you.

Good have you back Doug, you have been sorely missed this last few weeks. I thought Sinclair was due to be out for a while yet, good news that he is on the mend, at least the Count can take a look at him, make up his mind before transfer window shuts.

I guess you will only get a few sessions in before they fly out to SA?

Alioune DVToure wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:And bloody hot it was too.Meeting with George Evans on Saturday made me keen to go even if it was just to watch the EDS boys in action with Vieira.I worked on a 10.30 start but when i got there there were some players already going in after an initial session.

Schoolboy error number 1 for me though was to wear shorts.I completely forgot how much the nettles,brambles,thorns etc grew in the summer making the path alongside the fencing close to impassible in parts.There were about 8 first teamers doing warm up routines and 2 on the bleep test.Nasri was one of them after what seemed a good long chat with the boss.I kept wandering round to watch the EDS boys on the far side as there is no fencing there (yet)All the other areas seem to have had the fencing renewed and now there are no holes at all.

The action was underway with the EDS and the first player I saw was Pozo working 1 to 1 with a physio.Clearly a distance to go before he plays again but good to see him outside kicking a ball again.The rest were all in hard action in two groups.Vieira watching closely and with plenty of words of encouragement.I think these lads had already got a few days training under their belts and all I saw was work with the ball.Very short sharp football exercises which tired me out just watching.

Emyr Huws/Boyata were working with the first team but there were over 20 boys here,including Harry Bunn,Scapuzzi,Wabara andDrury back from his loan spell.The one who caught my eye was Fofana.Strong and quick and a good touch but we will see in games whether he can play with his head up and enough intelligence.After the initial stuff I saw they change into 4 teams and played a pass ,move, press game with a point scored for each run of 8 completed passes.The games were fast and only 4 minutes long but the action was good.Vieira often reminding them to make the ball do the work and keep it simple.

I moved back the 1st teamers out and watched a 5 a side game where I saw immediately why Joleon is staying as he rifled home the first goal.Quickly followed by a nice one from Scott Sinclair and then Huws and another from Scott.The bast though came from Fred with a nice give and go,good movement and first touch and then slotted home with ease.I think Fred was Fernandinho anyway.

I called it a day then.Some other players were now doing the bleep test.Maybe Vinnie,Maicon and others going in as I macheted my way back to the car thinking I must be better prepared next time.

I thought Sinclair would be unable to train until Septemberish? Nice to hear he's up and running.

.......and off to Newcastle :-)

john@staustell wrote:
.......and off to Newcastle :-)

I hadn't heard that. It'll be a shame if he goes before MP gets a good look at him, but I suppose first-team footy is what he wants and needs.

CTID Hants wrote:Good have you back Doug, you have been sorely missed this last few weeks. I thought Sinclair was due to be out for a while yet, good news that he is on the mend, at least the Count can take a look at him, make up his mind before transfer window shuts.

I guess you will only get a few sessions in before they fly out to SA?

They suppose to fly out on Wednesday, first pre-season game is on Sunday. Cheers Doug, great read as usual.

cheers for report good to have them back

Very exciting to see what differences Vieira makes.

In terms of the changes which impacted English football in the late 90's/early 00s (in terms of the approach brought to the PL by Wenger in particular)...in terms of more emphasis on professionalism and also a real evolution of footballing style as various PL clubs got to grips with the CL....he is probably one of the first and best continental players who came through that system to move to top level coaching. Intrigued to see what differences he may make.

As a complete aside, I met him last Sunday night in the Radisson in town and had a little chat. What a lovely bloke, absolute gent. (and yeah, I know...shock....he is "black"...what was I doing?!)

ant london wrote:Very exciting to see what differences Vieira makes.

In terms of the changes which impacted English football in the late 90's/early 00s (in terms of the approach brought to the PL by Wenger in particular)...in terms of more emphasis on professionalism and also a real evolution of footballing style as various PL clubs got to grips with the CL....he is probably one of the first and best continental players who came through that system to move to top level coaching. Intrigued to see what differences he may make.

As a complete aside, I met him last Sunday night in the Radisson in town and had a little chat. What a lovely bloke, absolute gent. (and yeah, I know...shock....he is "black"...what was I doing?!)

No idea he was black. Yr out of the crew.

Goodbye.

DoomMerchant wrote:

ant london wrote:Very exciting to see what differences Vieira makes.

In terms of the changes which impacted English football in the late 90's/early 00s (in terms of the approach brought to the PL by Wenger in particular)...in terms of more emphasis on professionalism and also a real evolution of footballing style as various PL clubs got to grips with the CL....he is probably one of the first and best continental players who came through that system to move to top level coaching. Intrigued to see what differences he may make.

As a complete aside, I met him last Sunday night in the Radisson in town and had a little chat. What a lovely bloke, absolute gent. (and yeah, I know...shock....he is "black"...what was I doing?!)

No idea he was black. Yr out of the crew.

Goodbye.

Piss funny.

Normal service restored ! Good to hear from you again Doug. It now feels a bit like start of the new season is just around the corner.

Thanks Doug. Can't wait to hear how Pellegrini goes about his business.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:After the initial stuff I saw they change into 4 teams and played a pass ,move, press game with a point scored for each run of 8 completed passes.

That is the way spanish kids are taught right from the start ie. six yr olds.

Good to see (at last) and with Vieira leading it all this is going to be interesting in a few years time.

Once again thanks for the insights Doug. really appreciated.

Alioune DVToure wrote:

john@staustell wrote:
.......and off to Newcastle :-)

I hadn't heard that. It'll be a shame if he goes before MP gets a good look at him, but I suppose first-team footy is what he wants and needs.

It's on SKY - one of those insider betting things. Odds of him going to Toon went from 40/1 to 1/4.

It is ao refreshing that your back Doug. Obviously you ain't really been anywhere but your efforts in training threads are certain treats I look forward to reading. Cheers

Thanks Doug.

Any word on you getting back on the inside?

A sure sign that the new season is near, cheers Doug as always

Cracking stuff. Just take some secateurs next time, it would be madness not wear shorts in this weather. Surely a pass is in the offing though? If not it might be time for you to start slagging off a certain blonde lady to the press. It worked for Bobby....oh wait...

What're your thoughts on Dedryck? Think he's worth keeping hold of?

Foreverinbluedreams wrote:Thanks Doug.

Any word on you getting back on the inside?

Nothing to say yet but never say never.

Just a ps to the report, it was good to see Pellegrini close up involved with the 5 aside game even though that's all it was.