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A day off yesterday and a late 2pm start today which will have disappointed those young kids on school holidays and at Carrington from 9am hoping for autographs.The good news though was seeing Garcia and Zaba out for training.It turned out that Garcia wasn't involved in the contact training but worked very hard with a physio most of the time but Zaba is back!

Just as they set off for initial jogs and exercises Carlos squared up to Mario in a boxing stance.I wonder if the 1 photographer picked that one to try and get it published and show them in good spirits.17 on show in total and sadly not including Silva yet but I was told he was inside so hopefully nearing the time he will be back out getting fully fit.3 keepers working (maybe 4 if Wright was there but I couldn't see him)I was surprised Johansen was here and not in Italy but also assisting the keepers were Scapuzzi and Mancini.

Mancini had taken the defenders for some initial work and then they all got back together for a pass/move session which seemed to have emphasis on pressing the ball.The shout of "don't let him get his head up" gave credence to this.It was actually an interesting session with Platt and Gregucci positioned at each end of the field and used as targets for the "out" ball. It was only here I noticed Yaya was missing but he did come out and do some work with a physio and later get fully involved so I am sure there is nothing serious with him.

The keepers were near me and one of the crossers helping out was relegated and Erik J asked to take on those duties.There was also a lone runner doing laps of a far pitch with a physio but I just couldn't work out who it was.A quick break for drinks and then into another passing game.Joe and Panti thought they were to be involved but I guess Mancini changed his mind.They spent their time knocking the ball too each other to improve their first touch.

After that it was off to the middle pitch so I wandered round for a better view.As I passed the lone photographer he mentioned Mancini isn't looking very happy is he!!! It just seemed to me he will have taken a picture to reflect whatever he w anted and with the current press/media having a go again it will have had to be something negative.Typical garbage as I thought Mancini was enjoying the session and hearing him shouting well done on one occasion suggests all wasn't doom and gloom but photographers won't want happy positive pictures will they?

This final session was all about organisation/shape and on a full sized pitch.After initial guidance from the boss it was into play mode but he stopped the game quite frequently to reinforce points or point out where they went wrong.One strong break as the winger was put free by a Lescott pass really tested Zaba sprinting back to his penalty area.Zaba got the block in and looked absolutely fine.It wasn't really a game as such as Mancini kept stopping it when he needed to but it was interesting to see the movement and passing where there was a little more space than usual.Even so Mancini was always able to see little things which he would point out.Meticulous as ever.

One funny moment was when Vinnie was sliding across to make a good interception but the ball hit a cone and bobbled over his leg to leave the striker clear.Joe thought it was funny but maybe it's best I didn't hear what Vinnie said.A special mention from me for Kolo.He might not be as trim as he once was but I thought on Saturday he filled in and did well.Today also he was very good and for me he is a top pro and great to have on the squad.

I would think Mancini will have enjoyed today's session.The first full week of training for ages and the only downside being a few players out and he used it to the full to work on plenty of things.over 90 minutes as well and a rare occasion as nobody stayed for any extras,well it was getting dark!

Douglas Higginbottom wrote: Mancini isn't looking very happy is he!!!!

"MANCINI FACES SQUAD REBELLION"

Cheers Doug great report as usual!!

Great report Doug, have you been getting tips from Stuart Brennan ;-)

A god-send though, hearing that Zab's is back, he couldn't have timed it any better. I'm just hoping it's not rushed.

And the Carlos/Mario stand-off. I'd like to think that it was purely aimed at the awaiting cameras, do you think it was Doug or was it a real fisti-cuffs moment?

Anyway, great reporting Doug, your efforts are much appreciated.

I'm more of a voyeur when it comes to this forum, been a city fan for 25 years.
Just want to say thanks Doug, I look forward to these reports and they make my toilet breaks much more enjoyable.

Great report, as always.


Outstanding news that Zabs is back. I expect he'll start this weekend. Was Maicon still out?

How does Sinclair look? With Silva out and Milner suspended seems like Sinclair is due a run out...

oh, and who is this G Evans (defender)? does he look good?

Cheers DH, great report as usual.
I'd be interested in Your assessment of Gregucci's work.
Frankly I never rated him as a player, average defender at best, and never heard of any special hype for his coaching career. It really surprised me when Mancini brought him in, maybe as a "specialist" of the back 3 set up, and the start of season, defensive face, didn't really cover his job with glory...

I'll understand if You'll prefer a silence stance, though... ;)

thanks, once again, for Your competent effort in bringing Carrington to us overseas

Beefymcfc wrote:Great report Doug, have you been getting tips from Stuart Brennan ;-)

A god-send though, hearing that Zab's is back, he couldn't have timed it any better. I'm just hoping it's not rushed.

And the Carlos/Mario stand-off. I'd like to think that it was purely aimed at the awaiting cameras, do you think it was Doug or was it a real fisti-cuffs moment?

Anyway, great reporting Doug, your efforts are much appreciated.

Of course Mario/Carlos was all in fun as was clear from them laughing at the same time but the cameras wouldn't bother with happy smiling faces would they.It doesn't fit their agenda.

phips wrote:Great report, as always.


Outstanding news that Zabs is back. I expect he'll start this weekend. Was Maicon still out?

How does Sinclair look? With Silva out and Milner suspended seems like Sinclair is due a run out...

oh, and who is this G Evans (defender)? does he look good?

No sign of Maicon at all.I would expect he was inside being treated. Milner isn't suspended anymore but I would still expect Sinclair to be used more than he has.He looks fine in training.

Evans is a midfield player and although a reasonable prospect he isn't ready for the premiership yet imo.He would have been with the under 21 squad I assume in Italy for the Juve game.

Mancio4ever wrote:Cheers DH, great report as usual.
I'd be interested in Your assessment of Gregucci's work.
Frankly I never rated him as a player, average defender at best, and never heard of any special hype for his coaching career. It really surprised me when Mancini brought him in, maybe as a "specialist" of the back 3 set up, and the start of season, defensive face, didn't really cover his job with glory...

I'll understand if You'll prefer a silence stance, though... ;)

thanks, once again, for Your competent effort in bringing Carrington to us overseas

I think Mancini said in an interview last week that Gregucci hasn't actually been involved in any coaching yet apart from maybe one session.If he has done a session I must have missed it.He is there each day but on the sidelines like Platt and Kidd are. Mancini is very hands on all the real coaching and was again today.

Very good reporting again Doug, terrific dedication to attend the training.

Milner is not suspended anymore and we will definitely need him back in the side for the scrapping we will need to do against West Ham. Zabaleta is a more tricky one, hamstring injuries are not ones to be rushed back, as we will need him for Ajax and Spurs the following week. From what you've said though Doug, Zab seems to be training as normal with no hint of an injury, fingers crossed.

Mark Garrett wrote:Very good reporting again Doug, terrific dedication to attend the training.

Milner is not suspended anymore and we will definitely need him back in the side for the scrapping we will need to do against West Ham. Zabaleta is a more tricky one, hamstring injuries are not ones to be rushed back, as we will need him for Ajax and Spurs the following week. From what you've said though Doug, Zab seems to be training as normal with no hint of an injury, fingers crossed.

Mancini is usually very careful in bringing players back too early.The fact that Zaba was involved in everything today 4/5 days before the game suggests he is absolutely fine but you never know how he will react after a full training session. Garcia is the other one coming back and he looked ok to me in the work he did but I am sure no risks will be taken with him even if he does get back into full training during the week.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

phips wrote:Great report, as always.


Outstanding news that Zabs is back. I expect he'll start this weekend. Was Maicon still out?

How does Sinclair look? With Silva out and Milner suspended seems like Sinclair is due a run out...

oh, and who is this G Evans (defender)? does he look good?

No sign of Maicon at all.I would expect he was inside being treated. Milner isn't suspended anymore but I would still expect Sinclair to be used more than he has.He looks fine in training.

Evans is a midfield player and although a reasonable prospect he isn't ready for the premiership yet imo.He would have been with the under 21 squad I assume in Italy for the Juve game.

Thanks Doug. Nice info.

Doug I know when Bob first joined us he made a big play the squad was not fit and sharp enough under Hughes. He had the mound built and "extra" training sessions.
Generally this season we havent looked as sharp in the games or found the tempo in the passing, has there been a change in intensity of training?
Do you think the squad is worked as hard and is as fit as previously?

many thanks DH, Sir.
twice the weirder, then!

while I have some simpathy for a dad aiming to offer the best educatiobal course to his lad and keep him warm with a Scapuz, I cannot stand even the idea of the Club turned into an Italian social security branch! dunno.... what to comment

Thanks for the rep.

The lone runner, might that have been Guidetti? He should be nearing fitness

Plain Speaking wrote:Doug I know when Bob first joined us he made a big play the squad was not fit and sharp enough under Hughes. He had the mound built and "extra" training sessions.
Generally this season we havent looked as sharp in the games or found the tempo in the passing, has there been a change in intensity of training?
Do you think the squad is worked as hard and is as fit as previously?

The mound was built and it has been used but from what I have seen it has been used very very rarely.I also think the extra training sessions has been massively exaggerated. There have been the odd one of course but again from what I am aware of not that many and some of those were not real double training but maybe one where they work and another on tactical stuff which is non taxing.

If the fitness is not as good this season so far I really do think the euros plus international breaks has something to do with it.I reckon Mancini hasn't had the squad all together for full weeks training hardly at all.That's why I think he will be pleased this week to have a full week to work with them.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Plain Speaking wrote:Doug I know when Bob first joined us he made a big play the squad was not fit and sharp enough under Hughes. He had the mound built and "extra" training sessions.
Generally this season we havent looked as sharp in the games or found the tempo in the passing, has there been a change in intensity of training?
Do you think the squad is worked as hard and is as fit as previously?

The mound was built and it has been used but from what I have seen it has been used very very rarely.I also think the extra training sessions has been massively exaggerated. There have been the odd one of course but again from what I am aware of not that many and some of those were not real double training but maybe one where they work and another on tactical stuff which is non taxing.

If the fitness is not as good this season so far I really do think the euros plus international breaks has something to do with it.I reckon Mancini hasn't had the squad all together for full weeks training hardly at all.That's why I think he will be pleased this week to have a full week to work with them.

Doug, has Bob been working on the actual lines & positioning in general play with the defence, ie playing offsides, the gaps between the 4 etc, just the absolute basic stuff ? I've been watching that & imo, it's completely gone to pieces & is currently as bad or worse than it was before Bob arrived. He spent a long time organising us defensively but right now we are one of the most disorganised defensive units in the league imo & the basics are horribly wrong at times.

Is there an air of 'getting back to basics' with the defence ?

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Plain Speaking wrote:Doug I know when Bob first joined us he made a big play the squad was not fit and sharp enough under Hughes. He had the mound built and "extra" training sessions.
Generally this season we havent looked as sharp in the games or found the tempo in the passing, has there been a change in intensity of training?
Do you think the squad is worked as hard and is as fit as previously?

The mound was built and it has been used but from what I have seen it has been used very very rarely.I also think the extra training sessions has been massively exaggerated. There have been the odd one of course but again from what I am aware of not that many and some of those were not real double training but maybe one where they work and another on tactical stuff which is non taxing.

If the fitness is not as good this season so far I really do think the euros plus international breaks has something to do with it.I reckon Mancini hasn't had the squad all together for full weeks training hardly at all.That's why I think he will be pleased this week to have a full week to work with them.

Thanks Doug, IMO we need to go back to basics. Dortmund and Ajax frankly embarassed us with their pressure, workrate and tempo. We've got a whole week with no distractions to buckle down train hard and get back our hunger.

I'd suggest that last season the players were a little burnt out in Jan/feb and Mancio has gone softer on them this time around.

Any sign of Razak Doug? Think he might replace Evans on the bench at West Ham.