Training Tuesday 8/2

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Went along today knowing very few would be around and hoping for a glimpse of Mario. Only 5 on view it turned out with Yaya first out followed by Carlos,Jo,Dzeko and a late arriving SWP. Yaya was in playful mood having fun with the doc who chased him across the field before they started all the warm up stuff under Carminati's watchful eye.

The football today was a 5 a side game,with the very small goals and it was the players against the rest.The rest were the boss, Platt,Fausto,Stu Taylor and Fillipo Mancini! No surprise when Dzeko scored first but RM quickly equalised before the players ran away to win 5.1. RM called a short break and said it was a new game which he started with 2 goals and making Kidd as referee was keeping the score properly.

This game was a bit tighter but as it went on the competitive nature came more to the fore. I definitely felt that RM ( he is extremely competitive)was looking for the win but it only served to get Carlos more determined to win. I don't really know the score but I think the players got in front before having an move of 80 passes ( the keeper coach was keeping count and announcing after every 5!) Try as they did RM's team just couldnt score and despite a few minutes of Fergy time lost the game.

As that ended RM took them over behind a fence for a little bit of attacking play between the few which is when I left but as I was leaving I did see Mario working 1 on 1 with a physio. Looked ok but it was just a fleeting glimpse. Also doing some 1 to 1 stuff was Ahmed Benali coming back from ankle surgery I think. He reckons he will be ready for selection next week.

[shortagain]

Nice one Doug, bit surprised you included Yaya & Edin as both their countries have mid-week internationals. I know Carlos has been excused by the Argies, but didn't know those two were as well. Do you know anything?

[blues2win]

Thanks as ever Doug. Fingers crossed that Mario might just be fit for the bench on Saturday. On the question of international absentees who are we talking about? Hart, Milner, Barry obviously. What about Boateng, Kolo, Kolarov, Silva? Any long journeys involved? Also I notice that Zaba wasn't there today. Anyone else I've missed? Pleased that Yaya and Tevez are here. Also De Jong is not with Holland and should make it for Saturday, along with Micah?

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice one Doug, bit surprised you included Yaya & Edin as both their countries have mid-week internationals. I know Carlos has been excused by the Argies, but didn't know those two were as well. Do you know anything?

I don't know anything except what I saw.And Vieira came into Carrington as I left as did Razak and a few others going later to the EDS match v Bolton.

[lets all have a disco]

Bet it was like the del sol today,bet your happy the weather seems to be improving.

Get some early nights and keep up the outstanding work,cheers pal.