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Back again and happily they trained today on the pitch where I can see most. Busy as usual with the media all over the place for the regular press briefing and photographers also looking for whatever they can get.Plenty of them looking sunburned from a day waiting for RVP's medical.

21 players on show today and good to see Barry fully involved.Looks like his recovery is going well even if he must be behind the rest in his pre season work.Of the younger ones only Boyata and Razak involved as any others would be away with the U 21's for the Chelsea game tonight.

AJ out early and in conversation with Lescott and Milner. James had a heavy strapping on one arm but it's about par for the course for him to have a war wound but just carry on.Mancini arrived and greeted many of those returning from internationals with a handshake including Edin and then it was all gather round for the usual pre session briefing.It was a longer one than usual.

Then off altogether for one of those sessions working on shape and formation that were so regular in Mancini's early days.Good to have a reminder and no doubt to include work on 3 at the back positioning and of course good for Rodwell.Them all back for a game of pass and move of 10 a side with Gareth Barry having the floating role.Good sharp session this and always a pleasure to watch Yaya the boss and the control he has.Everyone looked really at it.

Quite a few lucky souls inside watching the training and just a litle galling to see some of them not actually interested in what was going on.Then to my surprise it all ended and I would guess it was 40 maybe 45 minutes in total. A few stayed out.Rodwell just working with Kidd.Vinnie passing a ball around with Boyata and Razak,Barry doing a little extra fitness work as was Lescott.

Maybe there could be a 2nd session today but I doubt it.More likely they are quite happy with the fitness levels being shown and there will be stuff going on inside in preparation for the Sunday game.

Oh I nearly forgot,Rodders looks a quality assured player.

Nice 1 Doug, thanks.

Thanks Douglas! Great report, as always.

Quite a few lucky souls inside watching the training and just a litle galling to see some of them not actually interested in what was going on

That must be very galling for you Doug :-(

Thanks for all your sterling efforts, I really look forward to reading your reports.

Still no reasoning why aren't one of the priveliged few anymore?

Keep up the good work.

I've got a feeling Rodwell is gonna completely flourish playing for us. He has technique and skill. Just needs to learn that killer instinct. I fail to see how he won't progress from playing and learning alongside the best box-to-box midfielder in the world. One of the best defensive midfielders in the world, and one of the most underrated possession players in the league (Barry).....I think he'll just get better and better.

Thanks Douglas

Thanks Sir Doug

Sort it out City ....

Speaking of number one's, was Joe out today?

Inaccurate report again Doug. I have it on excellent authority (the Mirror I think) that Mancini was going to lay Dzeko out at the very least for daring to play for Bosnia. They couldn't possibly have shaken hands.

:-)

Slim wrote:Speaking of number one's, was Joe out today?

Joe looked fine in everything I saw today.

Superb Doug. Good to see them in fine fettle and for our new signing to be welcomed into the fold.

Just 2 days to go, I can't wait.

So what about Vinnie, he look fit or is his calf an issue?

phips wrote:So what about Vinnie, he look fit or is his calf an issue?

I saw nothing that should worry me about Vinnie but I am worried.He has already had niggles in pre season and I just hope he is fully recovered.

"Mancini arrived and greeted many of those returning from internationals with a handshake including Edin and then it was all gather round for the usual pre session briefing."

Bosnian and English media are spreading rumors that Mancini is sanctioning Dzeko due to the fact that he played injured for Bosnia in the international game against Wales.

Glad it is not the case.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:
I saw nothing that should worry me about Vinnie but I am worried.He has already had niggles in pre season and I just hope he is fully recovered.

Same. I would be fine with Zaba, Lescott, and Clichy holding the back on Sunday in order to give Vinnie more time

bhfanatic wrote:"Mancini arrived and greeted many of those returning from internationals with a handshake including Edin and then it was all gather round for the usual pre session briefing."

Bosnian and English media are spreading rumors that Mancini is sanctioning Dzeko due to the fact that he played injured for Bosnia in the international game against Wales.

Glad it is not the case.

I didn't say it wasnt the case but they were certainly civil enough this morning.

Thanks Doug, can't wait for Sunday!

Hopefully Rodwell will get a run out in the second half if everything is going to plan.

Rodders. Nice one, Doug, that is a name that is going to stick in my mind right away. Made me chuckle, cheers as always.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Slim wrote:Speaking of number one's, was Joe out today?

Joe looked fine in everything I saw today.

Thanks as always young Douglas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wf3PHl6T ... re=g-all-u

Watching this week's Inside City is fascinating, as ever. You see Mancini in full flow with the team shape and organisation. It's easy to forget how good a manager he is. He's so meticulous. Rodwell probably wouldn't have experienced this level of dedication and sheer perfectionism before. What encourages me is that he's clearly quite an intelligent lad. He doesn't seem your typical stupid footballer. He looks eager to learn. And I think he will. Quickly.