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I read Vieira's comments this morning before I left.Excellent words from PV and what he said is what I saw today as they all came out for training.There seemed a real buzz today and the groups of players all in great spirits.Cameras were everywhere as it's the press day pre a euro match.Plenty outside as I arrived and strangely all I heard were eastern european voices as i walked in.The press conference had just finished and today had taken place in the dome rather than the regular media centre due to the extra numbers.

I was joined in the dug out by a friend of Silva and a fitness coach from Rennes who was here to watch Ivan Carminati and study our methods for a week.I noticed a couple of lads going to train with the EDS who I have never seen before.Must get along to watch one of their full sessions.Brian Kidd was going around shaking hands with all the players and having a quick word,Samir,Yaya and Clichy were having a laugh in a group.Sergio and Mario were moving around and mixing with everybody.That Sergio is such a sweetie( I am allowed to say that aren't I)

The same 19 on show today despite 1 or 2 little niggles from yesterday that I didn't mention but clearly not any problems.The first jog took them 200 yards away for some real exercises which were quickly followed by some keep ball circles.Even from a distance I could sense the increased intensity from yesterday both in the short/sharp fitness work and also the circles.Plenty of banter going on with Nigel being the loudest.

Then closer for a 2 touch passing game with goals which could only be scored if every player was in the attacking half.Different.Two goals scored by Silva (a delicate back flick) and a powerful shot from Yaya at close range.Then onto a game in the small goals and immediately a goal from Vinnie followed inevitably by one from Nigel.He followed that with a cry of " I own this game". Classic.A very notable thing for me in this short game was Pizarro.In and out of everything,always available,playing with his head up and moving the ball very quickly.Joleon was excellent in defence ensuring Nigel's team won.Samir did get one back but it ended 2.1 with a big miss by GB.

Off for drinks and a few more short sharp fitness exercises.Fast feet in and out of rope ladders and poles before sprinting away. And then into the final game.The intensity just carried on and it was 11 playing against 10 and a very early goal for the 11.Micah breaking on the right knocking a low ball in which Edin swept into the top corner with ease.He nearly scored a 2nd after a great first touch and volley which was well saved.

Sergio broke down the left to cross for Silva to head but Panti flicked it over.Joe could be heard laughing at the ease with which Costel reached the ball.
Nigel then smashed a left foot volley passed an unsighted Joe.
Mario was being marked by Vinnie most of the time but left him to control a long ball brilliantly,turn in and then out before firing low across Joe for a great goal.
The goals were flying today and next it was Yaya finding Sergio superbly and a great finish to make it 2.2
Silva was oozing quality and a great first touch and surge past the full back to then find Edin for a sweet goal.
Sergio now changed sides to change the balance in theory but his old side scored again through Silva.Nice finish too.
Nigel missed a chance at the other end,unusual given his form today
Then great interplay ,Yaya to Silva to Yaya and he scored easily
Milner scored a cool sidefoot goal
Kolarov found Milner with a beauty of a low cross and Milner flicked it in easily and they were running away with it even with a player less
Constant throughout was the sound of Joe's voice telling his defence either what to do or just what danger was around.

The end was called and a few stayed out for a little extra. Clichy decided he wanted to practice crossing.Nigel,AJ,Mario were shooting from the edge of the box with Pizarro helping like a coach.After a while he went over to help Clichy.Kolo did a little extra running.Mancini took Mario aside for some extra coaching,all words.All in all a very good high intensity session even though on the short side.As I left Hargreaves came out to work but no sign of the other guy.

Thanks Doug. Interesting as ever.

So did you mean that the idea with goals being scored only when everyone is in the attacking half, is something you've never seen before ?

Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Interesting as ever.

So did you mean that the idea with goals being scored only when everyone is in the attacking half, is something you've never seen before ?

If I have seen them do it before I hadnt recognised it as such.One moment where a team was attacking was quite funny as Silva realised he was in the wrong half and ran quickly and almost jumped over the half way line before a goal was attempted.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Interesting as ever.

So did you mean that the idea with goals being scored only when everyone is in the attacking half, is something you've never seen before ?

If I have seen them do it before I hadnt recognised it as such.One moment where a team was attacking was quite funny as Silva realised he was in the wrong half and ran quickly and almost jumped over the half way line before a goal was attempted.

Cheers.

Anything which encourages them to get forward in groups is welcome in my book.

Ted Hughes wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Interesting as ever.

So did you mean that the idea with goals being scored only when everyone is in the attacking half, is something you've never seen before ?

If I have seen them do it before I hadnt recognised it as such.One moment where a team was attacking was quite funny as Silva realised he was in the wrong half and ran quickly and almost jumped over the half way line before a goal was attempted.

Cheers.

Anything which encourages them to get forward in groups is welcome in my book.

We always did this in training as kids. Always enjoyed it.

Cheers Doug.

Best threads on the site.
Thanks Doug.

Good stuff.

Even Doug has a man-crush on Sergio! Hehe

Is tevez still training on his own ?

Dannyhig wrote:Is tevez still training on his own ?

Is he training?

Ted Hughes wrote:
Cheers.

Anything which encourages them to get forward in groups is welcome in my book.

You won't be saying that on Saturday when Hart's rushing up the field

Thanks Doug, enjoyed that report.

When they were 10 v11, didn't you offer to make the numbers up and even the sides?

Excellent report Doug. Funny that NDJ scores as much as he does in training and just two so far officially :)

john68 wrote:Thanks Doug, enjoyed that report.

When they were 10 v11, didn't you offer to make the numbers up and even the sides?

They know I would be a defensive rock and that's not what they need so I have to sit it out

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

john68 wrote:Thanks Doug, enjoyed that report.

When they were 10 v11, didn't you offer to make the numbers up and even the sides?

They know I would be a defensive rock and that's not what they need so I have to sit it out

I for one am very greatful that Bob thought you were shite at "Left Outside" and and had you moved to "Right Inside"...:-)

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Dannyhig wrote:Is tevez still training on his own ?

Is he training?

I read somewhere that he gets to Carrington after Mancini leaves, so outside your viewing window probably. I would imagine he has a lot of basic fitness stuff to do before he gets to actual first team training.

Dameerto wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Dannyhig wrote:Is tevez still training on his own ?

Is he training?

I read somewhere that he gets to Carrington after Mancini leaves, so outside your viewing window probably. I would imagine he has a lot of basic fitness stuff to do before he gets to actual first team training.

I am sure that's the case.There has been one showing on SSN of him running around with a physio but he won't have been training with the EDS boys as they usually train at the same time as the first team.

It's been interesting that basically no mention has ever been made of him within my hearing but when I asked ,immediately after he came back,somebody did say he looked fitter than expected.Maybe I will see him with the first team after the Porto game.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Dameerto wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Dannyhig wrote:Is tevez still training on his own ?

Is he training?

I read somewhere that he gets to Carrington after Mancini leaves, so outside your viewing window probably. I would imagine he has a lot of basic fitness stuff to do before he gets to actual first team training.

I am sure that's the case.There has been one showing on SSN of him running around with a physio but he won't have been training with the EDS boys as they usually train at the same time as the first team.

It's been interesting that basically no mention has ever been made of him within my hearing but when I asked ,immediately after he came back,somebody did say he looked fitter than expected.Maybe I will see him with the first team after the Porto game.

I said on here during the transfer window, that there's no way he would be completely unfit, because he was expecting to be playing for AC Milan by now. There is no doubt in my mind, that this whole situation has been instigated by that frog faced shithouse at Milan & that he was expecting to get Tevez on the cheap, just like he instigated the Robinho move & is trying the same with Balotelli. Hence, Tevez not seaking a move elsewhere & now having to come back with his tail between his legs when the slimeball let him down.

i read an article in some rag (so take it for what it's worth) that tevez came back only 6 lbs overweight - if true, kia's claim that he could be fit to play in two weeks time isn't far off. i imagine he'll train alone for about that time - maybe until after blackburn at the weekend.