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Classic British weather today.Cold when I arrived with quite a strong wind making it feel bitter,then the rain arrived and in no time the sun came out and it was springtime.The players were calling for gloves and extra layer and then throwing gear all over the place.I think they should enjoy Lisbon where they are staying for an extra day before returning straight to Cardiff on Saturday.

Photo opportunity day today for the press.There werent many at the start but the numbers grew to about a dozen by the end.The players had jogged away and were doing keep ball circles at a good distance from the cameras and I was just glad to be in a dug out sheltered from the wind and rain.They went through some of the usual games to get going and a stunning Aguero goal in the small nets,drilled low from a 20 yard angle ,was the highlight.

A few mores exercises followed before the game at the end which seemed to start in a very calm quiet way compared to the usual intensity I see. But then it got going with Joe in great action saving first from Sergio and then Silva.Kolarov thought he had a pen when Kolo brought him down but despite intimidation from Yaya,Lombardo only gave a free kick.Then from driving rain it changed to a sunny day and the game really picked up.

Still defences were on top and one tussle between Lescott and Dzeko was immense with Joleon just winning this one.Joe saved superbly from Sergio again,this time with his feet before Silva hit the post and again I think Joe got a hand to it. As the game was picking up Nigel took out Sergio,Joleon took Gael but both just about survived in tact.

Finally Milner scored from a loose ball,despite loud offside appeals.Barry just missed after a lighting break down the right (ok fairly quick break). Mario just missed Edin with a pass when he was clear,then he scored but was given offside.Sergio got his own back on Nigel before Nasri made a great break to finish first time to make it 1.1. Golden goal time now and Mario went close twice and had a good effort saved.It seemed inevitable that he would score and he did at the near post with a flick from a Clichy cross.

That ended it all and in they went.22 degrees in Lisbon so they will enjoy that.

Cheers Doug.

Are you flying out with the squad or are you having to make your own arrangements so that you can report on training from Portugal?

blues-clues wrote:Cheers Doug.

Are you flying out with the squad or are you having to make your own arrangements so that you can report on training from Portugal?

As it happens I was asked if I would be reporting on training from Lisbon. When I asked about my seat on the plane it all went quiet.It's a few days off for me till Tuesday next week.

Ha ha, good work as usual Doug

The "Get Doug a plane ticket" campaign has now been launched forthwith ....

Doug

What has intrigued me is how the teams are chosen for training games? Any insights as to the process? Preplanned or what?

Great read as usual Doug! Your reports are quite detailed so I just wanted to know do you take notes during training or are your reports based on what you remember?

Cheers Doug

I'm sure if you monogrammed your City training jacket you'd walk straight onto that plane!

Just Checked ebay

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/No-12-Manches ... 19cdee0a2c

Could you pass yourself off as Stuart Taylor?

freshie wrote:Great read as usual Doug! Your reports are quite detailed so I just wanted to know do you take notes during training or are your reports based on what you remember?

I have recently started to make shorthand notes and hope I can recall what the few words meant.Better than the announcer at Hyde last night who announced our reserve keeper had come on to replace one of our attacking players and that Meppen-Walter had scored when it was actually Wabara.

spiny wrote:Doug

What has intrigued me is how the teams are chosen for training games? Any insights as to the process? Preplanned or what?

If there is a plan to it I don't know what it is.It certainly doesnt seem to give insights into what the team will be in the next match.
I was sure I watched Vinnie and Lescott doing scissors/paper/stone the other day to decide who wore a bib!

From memory I don't recall those two playing together very often.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
I have recently started to make shorthand notes and hope I can recall what the few words meant.Better than the announcer at Hyde last night who announced our reserve keeper had come on to replace one of our attacking players and that Meppen-Walter had scored when it was actually Wabara.

I couldn't help but laugh at him last night. You would have thought that he would have practiced the names before announcing them.

Was micah fully involved? how did he look after his injury?

phips wrote:Was micah fully involved? how did he look after his injury?

Micah was in typically bubbly mood and looking good.

Invisible Man Fan wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
I have recently started to make shorthand notes and hope I can recall what the few words meant.Better than the announcer at Hyde last night who announced our reserve keeper had come on to replace one of our attacking players and that Meppen-Walter had scored when it was actually Wabara.

I couldn't help but laugh at him last night. You would have thought that he would have practiced the names before announcing them.

His excuse was that he was talking with Bernard Halford's wife and lost concentration :)

cmon dougie just admit it.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

spiny wrote:Doug

What has intrigued me is how the teams are chosen for training games? Any insights as to the process? Preplanned or what?

I was sure I watched Vinnie and Lescott doing scissors/paper/stone the other day to decide who wore a bib!

The old methods still in place. Which begs the question who are first and last to be picked? lol

spiny wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

spiny wrote:Doug

What has intrigued me is how the teams are chosen for training games? Any insights as to the process? Preplanned or what?

I was sure I watched Vinnie and Lescott doing scissors/paper/stone the other day to decide who wore a bib!

The old methods still in place. Which begs the question who are first and last to be picked? lol

Mancini's son or Savic would be last for def! Silva 1st id say as id imagine yaya isnt as effective on small pitches as he is on big pitches?

If Mancini's son is in the group I assume you are including all the EDS players so how the hell is Savic close to last?

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:If Mancini's son is in the group I assume you are including all the EDS players so how the hell is Savic close to last?

No my point was if its just 1st teamers its savic but if eds mancini, get me?

Dubciteh wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:If Mancini's son is in the group I assume you are including all the EDS players so how the hell is Savic close to last?

No my point was if its just 1st teamers its savic but if eds mancini, get me?

Get you sort of. But if I had to chose last from the EDS I would go for the drinks trolley to play left wing before .....