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Bloody freezing out there today.Seeing them all coming out and gethering was interesting. Suarez early on chatting to Lescott,barry with Zaba,Edin with Aleks,Vinnie with Milner.Especially good to see Silva chatting with Suarez and Joleon seemed to be chatting with everyone.Typically when he got to Micah the laugher really started.It took Edin to suggest they got on with it as it was so cold so when Mario arrived Mancini got them together for the initial briefing (Unusual for Mario to be last as he is normally out very early)

Early warm up jogigng followed by Mancini taking all the defenders away to work with leaving the rest to split into two groups for attacking work.Two deeper midfield player spreading the ball wide for crosses to be attacked and other variations of play.Suarez, Roman and Razak involved today but no Rekik after his starring role yesterday at the EDS game nor Helan.Aguero looked very good in this session and not just because of his City snood.

From there they went into an attack v defence game 10 v 9.The defending part is obvious but once they had won the ball they also looked to keep it as much as possible and move forward.Strange one in this as the keeper sent over made a slight mistake and Mancini quickly asked for him to be changed.The first goal was a blatant off side albeit disputed as if they didnt think offside should be allowed.5 minutes into this and the teams changed around.Mancini was looking for good pressing of the ball but at the same time ensuring the team retained it's shape.Finally a goal came and great work from Silva as so often is the case as he set Joan Roman free for a neat sidefoot finish.

As this part finished 3 players jogged past to start work with a physio. De Silva ( I think) Hargreaves and surprise surprise Michael Johnson. They then split into groups for some prolonged shooting practice at each end of the pitch which made it hard to keep track on things.Zaba scored first and followed with a noisy celebration,then Costel saved well from Edin ,blocked the rebound but Edin netted the 2nd rebound and their banter that followed sounded interesting! Micah and Joleon were not invloved in this but working togather and Vinnie was doing some specific fitness exercises on his own.Silva's finishing was getting better,Aguero managed the perfect chip,Mario was looking very determined and Suarez got a nosebleed :)

So onto the game.Kolarov scored a simple but excellent goal.Looked offside and there were loud appeals but He got the run just right as did Pizarro with the pass.Mario was playing as left back part of the time and then in one foray forward shot just over and then threw his hat to the floor and abused it!:) The equalising goal came from some fast intricate work between Nigel,Roman and Edin and the ball just fell for Edin to sweep home. Golden goal time and it didnt take long when Silva took a pass from Roman and with seemingly little space showed remarkable composure to sidefoot home.

75 minutes worth today and did I mention it was cold?I think the guy stood with me was suffering from hypothermia.I had 2 coats ,2 pairs of gloves,2 jumpers, 2 scarves and I was still freezing and he had one coat. (yes I did offer)

Cheers Doug. Great report as always!

michael johnson is back? thought he was well dead and buried for us!

Sideshow Bob wrote:michael johnson is back? thought he was well dead and buried for us!

Seems like most loanees have been called/sent back. Not sure that is a good thing ...

mr_nool wrote:

Sideshow Bob wrote:michael johnson is back? thought he was well dead and buried for us!

Seems like most loanees have been called/sent back. Not sure that is a good thing ...

Can't really see it as significant unless they would be in competition for a place and I doubt MJ is.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Sideshow Bob wrote:michael johnson is back? thought he was well dead and buried for us!

Seems like most loanees have been called/sent back. Not sure that is a good thing ...

Can't really see it as significant unless they would be in competition for a place and I doubt MJ is.

I mean that it's not a good sign for the future of player like MJ if the clubs that are having them on loan don't want to keep hold of them.

Thanks Doug. Good to see Kompany fully back in the swing of things. How did Nasri look - is he fit and raring to go for Sunday too?

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Bloody freezing out there today.Seeing them all coming out and gethering was interesting. Suarez early on chatting to Lescott,barry with Zaba,Edin with Aleks,Vinnie with Milner.Especially good to see Silva chatting with Suarez and Joleon seemed to be chatting with everyone.Typically when he got to Micah the laugher really started.It took Edin to suggest they got on with it as it was so cold so when Mario arrived Mancini got them together for the initial briefing (Unusual for Mario to be last as he is normally out very early)

Early warm up jogigng followed by Mancini taking all the defenders away to work with leaving the rest to split into two groups for attacking work.Two deeper midfield player spreading the ball wide for crosses to be attacked and other variations of play.Suarez, Roman and Razak involved today but no Rekik after his starring role yesterday at the EDS game nor Helan.Aguero looked very good in this session and not just because of his City snood.

From there they went into an attack v defence game 10 v 9.The defending part is obvious but once they had won the ball they also looked to keep it as much as possible and move forward.Strange one in this as the keeper sent over made a slight mistake and Mancini quickly asked for him to be changed.The first goal was a blatant off side albeit disputed as if they didnt think offside should be allowed.5 minutes into this and the teams changed around.Mancini was looking for good pressing of the ball but at the same time ensuring the team retained it's shape.Finally a goal came and great work from Silva as so often is the case as he set Joan Roman free for a neat sidefoot finish.

As this part finished 3 players jogged past to start work with a physio. De Silva ( I think) Hargreaves and surprise surprise Michael Johnson. They then split into groups for some prolonged shooting practice at each end of the pitch which made it hard to keep track on things.Zaba scored first and followed with a noisy celebration,then Costel saved well from Edin ,blocked the rebound but Edin netted the 2nd rebound and their banter that followed sounded interesting! Micah and Joleon were not invloved in this but working togather and Vinnie was doing some specific fitness exercises on his own.Silva's finishing was getting better,Aguero managed the perfect chip,Mario was looking very determined and Suarez got a nosebleed :)

So onto the game.Kolarov scored a simple but excellent goal.Looked offside and there were loud appeals but He got the run just right as did Pizarro with the pass.Mario was playing as left back part of the time and then in one foray forward shot just over and then threw his hat to the floor and abused it!:) The equalising goal came from some fast intricate work between Nigel,Roman and Edin and the ball just fell for Edin to sweep home. Golden goal time and it didnt take long when Silva took a pass from Roman and with seemingly little space showed remarkable composure to sidefoot home.

75 minutes worth today and did I mention it was cold?I think the guy stood with me was suffering from hypothermia.I had 2 coats ,2 pairs of gloves,2 jumpers, 2 scarves and I was still freezing and he had one coat. (yes I did offer)

Doug I just got back from Canada where it gets -20c+. I bought an Canada Goose Artic Parker and was never cold again, even when snow-mobiling and doing 50mph across the ground, so imagine the wind chill......ps; you can get cheaper ones on ebay.....but worth every penny...a great investment......get some salopettes and you'll be snug as a bug for all winter season.......trust me on this Doug :-)

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

mr_nool wrote:

Sideshow Bob wrote:michael johnson is back? thought he was well dead and buried for us!

Seems like most loanees have been called/sent back. Not sure that is a good thing ...

Can't really see it as significant unless they would be in competition for a place and I doubt MJ is.

Europa?

That conjures up a great pic.....Doug wearing floral cut offs, a beanie hatwith a booble on, snowboarding accross Carrington.

Go for it Doug

Nice one Mr H.

How did the youngsters (Suarez, Roman and Razak) shape up, compared to the 'senior'/established members of the squad ??

Skill-wise, positionally and tactically did they look a bit out of their depth(s) or did they look as though they could slot into the first team ??

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Nice one Mr H.

How did the youngsters (Suarez, Roman and Razak) shape up, compared to the 'senior'/established members of the squad ??

Skill-wise, positionally and tactically did they look a bit out of their depth(s) or did they look as though they could slot into the first team ??

None of them look out of their depth and that would include Rekik as well of course.As for slotting into the first team, well that's another question.
Looking at each individually: Razak,I have said before is more like a Nigel but perhaps with more attacking instinct than Nigel.He is strong and can break up play and lay it off.As yet I havent seen much evidence that he is a great passer of the ball or that he actually gets his head up enough.
Suarez just looks quality on the ball and travels really well with it but often the final pass or shot just isnt quite right.Of course there have been plenty of occasions where he has got it right and they will be shown on tv but at the moment he is still learning and developing his skills.Today at times he looked superb in finding space in the middle to help defenders pass the ball out and he might play a great little one two to create space but then that last ball just wasnt quite there.
Roman maybe doesnt look as classy as Suarez but he does play a more advanced role and as a result gets himself into goalscoring positions more often and he is more inclined to shoot anyway.Very talented,plays great one twos,sees openings very well and might just be a surprise to get 1st team time sooner rather than later(even if not this season)

Thanks for your reply, Mr H. and interesting analysis; it's much appreciated.

I think all City fans are eagerly waiting, with fingers crossed, for the day that one or two of the youngsters get 'thrown in at the deep end' and, hopefully, come out swimming.

Hope that day isn't too far off.

Thanks again.

I think it has been said before but worth reiterating that because of the FFP rules, 1st team investment was accelerated and we have seen dramatic changes at the top level.
The Academy was always going to be a longer term project and it may still take some time before we see the benefits.

Cheers Doug, top stuff.

Appreciate the extra emphasis of late in your reporting on the youngsters.

You may have already been asked but I've not been on the forum much this last ten days. What are your thoughts on Pizzaro?

john68 wrote:I think it has been said before but worth reiterating that because of the FFP rules, 1st team investment was accelerated and we have seen dramatic changes at the top level.
The Academy was always going to be a longer term project and it may still take some time before we see the benefits.

Absolutely right John.There are a few other names who have been brought into the younger age groups I am looking forward to seeing and they have been hailed as some of the cream of european talent.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Mikhail Chigorin wrote:Nice one Mr H.

How did the youngsters (Suarez, Roman and Razak) shape up, compared to the 'senior'/established members of the squad ??

Skill-wise, positionally and tactically did they look a bit out of their depth(s) or did they look as though they could slot into the first team ??

None of them look out of their depth and that would include Rekik as well of course.As for slotting into the first team, well that's another question.
Looking at each individually: Razak,I have said before is more like a Nigel but perhaps with more attacking instinct than Nigel.He is strong and can break up play and lay it off.As yet I havent seen much evidence that he is a great passer of the ball or that he actually gets his head up enough.
Suarez just looks quality on the ball and travels really well with it but often the final pass or shot just isnt quite right.Of course there have been plenty of occasions where he has got it right and they will be shown on tv but at the moment he is still learning and developing his skills.Today at times he looked superb in finding space in the middle to help defenders pass the ball out and he might play a great little one two to create space but then that last ball just wasnt quite there.
Roman maybe doesnt look as classy as Suarez but he does play a more advanced role and as a result gets himself into goalscoring positions more often and he is more inclined to shoot anyway.Very talented,plays great one twos,sees openings very well and might just be a surprise to get 1st team time sooner rather than later(even if not this season)

Just watched a recording of the rags game & I really like the look of Roman even in half a game. Actually the whole City midfield including Ellabdelloui, Evans & Assulin, looked on a different planet to the rags imo. Rags create more half chances out of nothing than we do out of something though, & can score at any time no matter how shit they are playing, just like the 1st team.

Have you seen much of Helan playing fullback Doug ? I've only seen him as a winger in the past but I thought he was tremendous v the rags. Lots of fuckups & frustratingly headless moments but lots of great play too & an absolutely enormous allround contribution & fantastic work ethic. Reminded me of Paul Power; moments of headlessness but absolutely relentless & he has PACE.

Cheers as always , Doug .

You say Micah and Joleon were working together . Is that the centre back pairing on Sunday then i wonder ??????

Thanks Doug. Brilliant report. Excellent to hear the players are up for it despite the freeze. What are your thoughts v Villa? (Btw: IMHO take a hip flask with a decent single malt. Worth six scarves.)

What do you think of Vinnie's fitness level for Sunday? Does it look like he'll play?