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Lovely sunny day again but no signs of life when I arrived. The start time had changed and nobody had let me know it was now at noon.Got some exercise rather than go back home,met the Carrington cat ( Wimbledon he is called),signed in in reception (a red pen would you believe) and saw a few players arriving in their minis! Same players as yesterday minus Suarez but plus Vinnie.

Got to the side of the pitch ( the undersoiled ones not needed today) with a fellow watcher and David Platt's son Charlie.The other guy turned out to be a friend of Clichy as he came over to say hello with a typical french greeting.He said hello to me as well but with the standard handshake :)

Jogging followed by keep ball circles and then a variety of games starting with handball,then 1 touch, 2 touch back to one touch before goals were introduced. Lots of fun,energy and constant action.This session ended with a game using the very small nets and the only goal I saw scored by Razak although Brian Kidd shouted golden goal at some point suggesting I had missed one.Try as they might nobody scored again with Aguero coming closest after some great team close passing to make the chance.The final chance was Nigel shooting just wide.I think I missed some play as Charlie Platt was playing right in front of making ruining my concentration.

Off for a couple more fitness routines before the the final 10 a side game.The whole session to date was a bit more up beat today and this showed again in the "match".There was plenty of banter as the players lined up and in the early action Nigel was closest (well he hit the target) with a flying scissor kick.A bit like Torres yesterday but with only half power.After one deflection Silva fancied getting to the high ball but didn't quite manage to outjump Joe!

Nasri scored from 20 yards with a great disguised shot
Nasri then produced some great skill to get free and cross but Rekik did well to clear
Sergio controlled a strong through pass superbly but was given off side.Very marginal
A great cross from Silva but Edin fired just over.
Milner squeezed through brilliantly but wasnt given the pen he deserved
Silva scored a merlin goal.
How he turned and got through 3 players I don't know but the low shot was perfection
Vinnie scored from 10 yards ( I think it was Vinnie but I was distracted again)
Best goal of the game was from a Nedum cross with Nigel diving to head home at the far post.In off the post was the only way it could go in.
Milner knocked in a left footer
The whole game was fast and strong and typified by a tackle by Zaba on Clichy.Or was it the other way around but anyway a very strong challenge.
Silva scored again with a shot whcih took a wicked bounce in front of the keeper
Then a great one two between Nasri and AJ left AJ to curl one of his standard left footers in.
it all ended with a challenge for a high ball between Kolarov and Panti.Only one winner of course but Panti probably thought a tank had hit him in mid air.

All good stuff and 5 stayed out for some shooting practice whilst Massimo the keeper coach was giving Charlie Platt ( about 5 I would say) a real keeping lesson.Not sure if he fanncies being a keeper or just like diving around getting dirty.

Cheers Doug (MCF.net's Man on the Ground), I do like the new format of points from the game. Looks like Silva is back with vengeance, let's hope he can do the same tomorrow.

Due to it being at Wigan, where will the team stay tonight; I take it'll be local, Worsely way?

Thanx Doug.

I agree with Beefy; Silva sounds promising after his visit to the specialist. Maybe we will see the old DS back again now ?

Beefymcfc wrote:Cheers Doug (MCF.net's Man on the Ground), I do like the new format of points from the game. Looks like Silva is back with vengeance, let's hope he can do the same tomorrow.

Due to it being at Wigan, where will the team stay tonight; I take it'll be local, Worsely way?

Mancini and Silva had a short chat before they all went in.I was close but not close enough to hear whether it was to play from the start or come from the bench or have another match rest David.Anyway I wouldnt tell you lot would I?

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Beefymcfc wrote:Cheers Doug (MCF.net's Man on the Ground), I do like the new format of points from the game. Looks like Silva is back with vengeance, let's hope he can do the same tomorrow.

Due to it being at Wigan, where will the team stay tonight; I take it'll be local, Worsely way?

Mancini and Silva had a short chat before they all went in.I was close but not close enough to hear whether it was to play from the start or come from the bench or have another match rest David.Anyway I wouldnt tell you lot would I?

Well, that was a help wasn't it. Definately Maybe, or Defintely Maybe Not. You even flipped the coin and made it land on it's edge ;-)

Great work as usual Doug. I too love the new notes form the game format. You put BBC's vidiprinter to shame.

Great report! love reading these every day

Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

Who?

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

Who?

Sorry, should have said that twat Tevez.

Just hoping there was no possible truth the unbelievable rumours of is possible return.

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

Who?

Sorry, should have said that twat Tevez.

Just hoping there was no possible truth the unbelievable rumours of is possible return.

Not even a hint.

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

Watched the latest behind the scenes video earlier and thought Herman was doing keepy ups but on closer inspection I'm hoping it was de Jong in a hat. Whoever it was was doing it off their shin which is either brilliant or rubbish technique.

Blue Since 76 wrote:

bluebananamilksheikh wrote:Another quality report. No sight or word of Carlos.

Watched the latest behind the scenes video earlier and thought Herman was doing keepy ups but on closer inspection I'm hoping it was de Jong in a hat. Whoever it was was doing it off their shin which is either brilliant or rubbish technique.

Nigel it was and of course it was brilliance. The two "champions" at the end are academy boys and both defenders.Coulson a right full back and Greg Leigh a left full back or center back.I think Greg is actually under 17 rather than 18 and both are good prospects.

I hope Kolarov was one staying behind for shooting practice!

john@staustell wrote:I hope Kolarov was one staying behind for shooting practice!

As the Target ?

The shooters were the obvious ones of Milner,AJ and Clichy...only obvious because they almost always stay for some extra but also it was Vinnie and Owen Hargreaves. Probably the prize for the best would go to Hargreaves but they were all decent from what I saw.

With all the foreign players and some of them lacking in good english skills and Mancini's semi-good English, do players most figure out what Mancini wants them do in training? Sometimes I wonder if Savic (especially) kinda just nods and goes along, not really understanding what Mancini wants due to his poor knowledge of the language.

phips wrote:With all the foreign players and some of them lacking in good english skills and Mancini's semi-good English, do players most figure out what Mancini wants them do in training? Sometimes I wonder if Savic (especially) kinda just nods and goes along, not really understanding what Mancini wants due to his poor knowledge of the language.

It won't be as perfect as it might with a natural english speaker but I am sure it isnt a problem either.Mancini doesnt just shout things from the side while things are going one,he is right there in the middle of things and when he has something to say he would stop the play and say it. I would say he also watches carefully after he gives instructions to make sure it has sunk in.If not he will go over it again. Meticulous.

Brilliant post, Doug, as per.

Nasri: another 10 months to develop? He and Dzeko could be a decent partnership IMHO.