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It all seemed a little quiet when I arrived at Carrington this morning. No signs of the usual press conference ( apparently it was lumped in with the european one on Tuesday) and even though there was some stuff set out there were no signs of the coaches outside like there usually is. My thinking was that there was a heavy pre training briefing going on inside first but I would expect that happened on Thursday especially based on how Mancini had reacted after the game.

But they came out at 11 and had the usual shortish briefing from the boss before he took all the defenders away for a tactical session leaving the rest to do normal warm up stuff.Just 6 defenders involved and it seemed all about their shape as they moved around under Mancini's watchful eyes.I would definitely say it was a lower key group to start with than I often see.Hard to say whether that's a good thing or not as it's what happens in matches that counts but certainly there was a quieter focus today.

The session started to develop through the keep ball circles and the noise and enjoyment with it. Some I expect will say they are not there to enjoy themselves but simply to work hard and prepare for the next game but really there needs a to be a good balance of both which has always been the case.I would imagine the message will have got through and clearly Mancini was urging them on during the session.

Onto the football with small nets and normal nets with regular changing between 1 and 2 touch,headed goals only (Micah didn't get one this time) and all started off with a handball session led by Peter Crouch.The only headed goal I saw was scored by Scapuzzi so maybe he will start on Saturday.At the end of this the main team from Wednesday went in leaving just enough for a 6 a side game.

Inevitably a load of goals scored but the star for me was clearly Joleon.His first goal was a sweet left foot volley back across the keeper,then another sidefoot volley meeting a long throw in and finally a neat shot when he latched onto a rebound.I say finally but when he broke forward dummied the keeper to take the ball to the byline and set up an easy chance( which was missed) he surpassed himself. Joleon and Scapuzzi up front looks a winner.

Of course one or two from Kolarov but one screamer in off a post from 20 yards was a special one.I said the others went in but Dzeko stayed out to watch whilst chatting to the coaches.Some free kick practice ended the session with AK,SS,MB and JM all having a go.A coach arrived at about noon so I assume they would all be going straight from Carrington to the hotel later in the afternoon.

Cheers Doug.

Any word on why Rekik has disappeared off the radar ? Bad injury ?

Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers Doug.

Any word on why Rekik has disappeared off the radar ? Bad injury ?

I think he tweeted last week that he was back in training but no mention that I have seen from him or the club to explain why he was missing in the first place.It does seem the club are as quiet as they can be about injuries and how severe or otherwise they are.

Nothing much being said about Guidetti either.

Good news.

‏@Karim_Rekik_44

@faisal990 I was injured I'm back since this week!

Posted today.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:It all seemed a little quiet when I arrived at Carrington this morning. No signs of the usual press conference ( apparently it was lumped in with the european one on Tuesday) and even though there was some stuff set out there were no signs of the coaches outside like there usually is. My thinking was that there was a heavy pre training briefing going on inside first but I would expect that happened on Thursday especially based on how Mancini had reacted after the game.

But they came out at 11 and had the usual shortish briefing from the boss before he took all the defenders away for a tactical session leaving the rest to do normal warm up stuff.Just 6 defenders involved and it seemed all about their shape as they moved around under Mancini's watchful eyes.I would definitely say it was a lower key group to start with than I often see.Hard to say whether that's a good thing or not as it's what happens in matches that counts but certainly there was a quieter focus today.

The session started to develop through the keep ball circles and the noise and enjoyment with it. Some I expect will say they are not there to enjoy themselves but simply to work hard and prepare for the next game but really there needs a to be a good balance of both which has always been the case.I would imagine the message will have got through and clearly Mancini was urging them on during the session.

Onto the football with small nets and normal nets with regular changing between 1 and 2 touch,headed goals only (Micah didn't get one this time) and all started off with a handball session led by Peter Crouch.The only headed goal I saw was scored by Scapuzzi so maybe he will start on Saturday.At the end of this the main team from Wednesday went in leaving just enough for a 6 a side game.

Inevitably a load of goals scored but the star for me was clearly Joleon.His first goal was a sweet left foot volley back across the keeper,then another sidefoot volley meeting a long throw in and finally a neat shot when he latched onto a rebound.I say finally but when he broke forward dummied the keeper to take the ball to the byline and set up an easy chance( which was missed) he surpassed himself. Joleon and Scapuzzi up front looks a winner.

Of course one or two from Kolarov but one screamer in off a post from 20 yards was a special one.I said the others went in but Dzeko stayed out to watch whilst chatting to the coaches.Some free kick practice ended the session with AK,SS,MB and JM all having a go.A coach arrived at about noon so I assume they would all be going straight from Carrington to the hotel later in the afternoon.

I was hoping you would say Lescott was playing like a man possessed in DEFENCE and not upfront.
This whole defence malarky is getting on my tits now, Im not convinced by ANY of them up to now...doesnt bode well does it.

carl_feedthegoat wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:It all seemed a little quiet when I arrived at Carrington this morning. No signs of the usual press conference ( apparently it was lumped in with the european one on Tuesday) and even though there was some stuff set out there were no signs of the coaches outside like there usually is. My thinking was that there was a heavy pre training briefing going on inside first but I would expect that happened on Thursday especially based on how Mancini had reacted after the game.

But they came out at 11 and had the usual shortish briefing from the boss before he took all the defenders away for a tactical session leaving the rest to do normal warm up stuff.Just 6 defenders involved and it seemed all about their shape as they moved around under Mancini's watchful eyes.I would definitely say it was a lower key group to start with than I often see.Hard to say whether that's a good thing or not as it's what happens in matches that counts but certainly there was a quieter focus today.

The session started to develop through the keep ball circles and the noise and enjoyment with it. Some I expect will say they are not there to enjoy themselves but simply to work hard and prepare for the next game but really there needs a to be a good balance of both which has always been the case.I would imagine the message will have got through and clearly Mancini was urging them on during the session.

Onto the football with small nets and normal nets with regular changing between 1 and 2 touch,headed goals only (Micah didn't get one this time) and all started off with a handball session led by Peter Crouch.The only headed goal I saw was scored by Scapuzzi so maybe he will start on Saturday.At the end of this the main team from Wednesday went in leaving just enough for a 6 a side game.

Inevitably a load of goals scored but the star for me was clearly Joleon.His first goal was a sweet left foot volley back across the keeper,then another sidefoot volley meeting a long throw in and finally a neat shot when he latched onto a rebound.I say finally but when he broke forward dummied the keeper to take the ball to the byline and set up an easy chance( which was missed) he surpassed himself. Joleon and Scapuzzi up front looks a winner.

Of course one or two from Kolarov but one screamer in off a post from 20 yards was a special one.I said the others went in but Dzeko stayed out to watch whilst chatting to the coaches.Some free kick practice ended the session with AK,SS,MB and JM all having a go.A coach arrived at about noon so I assume they would all be going straight from Carrington to the hotel later in the afternoon.

I was hoping you would say Lescott was playing like a man possessed in DEFENCE and not upfront.
This whole defence malarky is getting on my tits now, Im not convinced by ANY of them up to now...doesnt bode well does it.

Best defender on view today was Kolo but bearing in mind it was 6 a side it wasn't a game for defenders.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

carl_feedthegoat wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:It all seemed a little quiet when I arrived at Carrington this morning. No signs of the usual press conference ( apparently it was lumped in with the european one on Tuesday) and even though there was some stuff set out there were no signs of the coaches outside like there usually is. My thinking was that there was a heavy pre training briefing going on inside first but I would expect that happened on Thursday especially based on how Mancini had reacted after the game.

But they came out at 11 and had the usual shortish briefing from the boss before he took all the defenders away for a tactical session leaving the rest to do normal warm up stuff.Just 6 defenders involved and it seemed all about their shape as they moved around under Mancini's watchful eyes.I would definitely say it was a lower key group to start with than I often see.Hard to say whether that's a good thing or not as it's what happens in matches that counts but certainly there was a quieter focus today.

The session started to develop through the keep ball circles and the noise and enjoyment with it. Some I expect will say they are not there to enjoy themselves but simply to work hard and prepare for the next game but really there needs a to be a good balance of both which has always been the case.I would imagine the message will have got through and clearly Mancini was urging them on during the session.

Onto the football with small nets and normal nets with regular changing between 1 and 2 touch,headed goals only (Micah didn't get one this time) and all started off with a handball session led by Peter Crouch.The only headed goal I saw was scored by Scapuzzi so maybe he will start on Saturday.At the end of this the main team from Wednesday went in leaving just enough for a 6 a side game.

Inevitably a load of goals scored but the star for me was clearly Joleon.His first goal was a sweet left foot volley back across the keeper,then another sidefoot volley meeting a long throw in and finally a neat shot when he latched onto a rebound.I say finally but when he broke forward dummied the keeper to take the ball to the byline and set up an easy chance( which was missed) he surpassed himself. Joleon and Scapuzzi up front looks a winner.

Of course one or two from Kolarov but one screamer in off a post from 20 yards was a special one.I said the others went in but Dzeko stayed out to watch whilst chatting to the coaches.Some free kick practice ended the session with AK,SS,MB and JM all having a go.A coach arrived at about noon so I assume they would all be going straight from Carrington to the hotel later in the afternoon.

I was hoping you would say Lescott was playing like a man possessed in DEFENCE and not upfront.
This whole defence malarky is getting on my tits now, Im not convinced by ANY of them up to now...doesnt bode well does it.

Best defender on view today was Kolo but bearing in mind it was 6 a side it wasn't a game for defenders.

The back 4 should be getting peppered with full out attack in training until they get it right...imo

carl_feedthegoat wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

carl_feedthegoat wrote:

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:It all seemed a little quiet when I arrived at Carrington this morning. No signs of the usual press conference ( apparently it was lumped in with the european one on Tuesday) and even though there was some stuff set out there were no signs of the coaches outside like there usually is. My thinking was that there was a heavy pre training briefing going on inside first but I would expect that happened on Thursday especially based on how Mancini had reacted after the game.

But they came out at 11 and had the usual shortish briefing from the boss before he took all the defenders away for a tactical session leaving the rest to do normal warm up stuff.Just 6 defenders involved and it seemed all about their shape as they moved around under Mancini's watchful eyes.I would definitely say it was a lower key group to start with than I often see.Hard to say whether that's a good thing or not as it's what happens in matches that counts but certainly there was a quieter focus today.

The session started to develop through the keep ball circles and the noise and enjoyment with it. Some I expect will say they are not there to enjoy themselves but simply to work hard and prepare for the next game but really there needs a to be a good balance of both which has always been the case.I would imagine the message will have got through and clearly Mancini was urging them on during the session.

Onto the football with small nets and normal nets with regular changing between 1 and 2 touch,headed goals only (Micah didn't get one this time) and all started off with a handball session led by Peter Crouch.The only headed goal I saw was scored by Scapuzzi so maybe he will start on Saturday.At the end of this the main team from Wednesday went in leaving just enough for a 6 a side game.

Inevitably a load of goals scored but the star for me was clearly Joleon.His first goal was a sweet left foot volley back across the keeper,then another sidefoot volley meeting a long throw in and finally a neat shot when he latched onto a rebound.I say finally but when he broke forward dummied the keeper to take the ball to the byline and set up an easy chance( which was missed) he surpassed himself. Joleon and Scapuzzi up front looks a winner.

Of course one or two from Kolarov but one screamer in off a post from 20 yards was a special one.I said the others went in but Dzeko stayed out to watch whilst chatting to the coaches.Some free kick practice ended the session with AK,SS,MB and JM all having a go.A coach arrived at about noon so I assume they would all be going straight from Carrington to the hotel later in the afternoon.

I was hoping you would say Lescott was playing like a man possessed in DEFENCE and not upfront.
This whole defence malarky is getting on my tits now, Im not convinced by ANY of them up to now...doesnt bode well does it.

Best defender on view today was Kolo but bearing in mind it was 6 a side it wasn't a game for defenders.

The back 4 should be getting peppered with full out attack in training until they get it right...imo

And I guess that's part of why Mancini is moaning about the next game coming so quickly. I expect he would want to do plenty of work with the defence and the midfield in defensive mode but there is limited time.

The stats say City have the best defence, midfield and attack.

Least shots conceded, most passes, and most shots on target.

City have been unlucky in that almost every error has been punished, and the few chances conceded have been converted.

It's a myth that City have been poor defensively. It does Not follow that goals conceded = poor defence. There are more variables than that.

marvin wrote:The stats say City have the best defence, midfield and attack.

Least shots conceded, most passes, and most shots on target.

City have been unlucky in that almost every error has been punished, and the few chances conceded have been converted.

It's a myth that City have been poor defensively. It does Not follow that goals conceded = poor defence. There are more variables than that.

Are you on wacky backy mate?

Man City have conceded shed loads this season in all competitions.....our defence at the moment is diabolical.

No it's a fact. City have conceded the fewest shots on goal in the Premiership.

If you watch the games, you will see that teams are creating very few chances against us but are taking a high percentage of their chances. We're also missing a lot of chances

I know Dortmund created a lot of chances - but in the Premiership few teams have done that.

At Stoke for example, and at Fulham, we conceded a goal in each. Stoke scored from their only shot. ulham had a handful. Liverpool had a lot of possession but scored through a dodgy free-kick.

We're not playing as well as last season, but don't take it too far.

and nobody asked why there were only 6 defenders to work with! Off to bed for me and late up in the morning before the match. :)

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:and nobody asked why there were only 6 defenders to work with! Off to bed for me and late up in the morning before the match. :)

curious.


Btw douglas, how much does Mancini work on a back 3 in training? i hope he's gotten bored of it and never uses it again.