Training Wednesday 23/2

[Douglas Higginbottom]

The only good thing about when it rains like today ( it was pouring) is seeing the photographers getting drenched and very uncomfortable.One lasted 10 minutes and the other 30 but both were thouroughly soaked as they left whilst I watched under a blue and white brolly:)

As with other times when it is so wet the players seem to have more fun because of the conditions.Mario messing with SWP at the start,Lombardo playing around all the time and just generally all seemed to have a smile about them. Lots of official cameras there today as well because it's part of the deal for the Europa matches.

No Milner today(till later) and no Micah plus of course the other longer term casualties.Plenty of jogging and warm up stuff for the cameras and all done behind the fences albeit very very close to them. I expect my brolly to get in shot! Mancini then spent some time with a team ( the one for Aris I guess) doing some of the usual stuff plus a corner and free kick or two and including a bunch of changes he might make as the game progresses.

Then it was into a game which was sat out by Carlos and Kolarov ( nothing sinister there I am sure) and was a game of 2 strikers each getting a hat trick. Edin with 2 good headers and a great side footer.The cross from Wabara ( the only EDS player involved today) was superb. Mario's first was down to very quick feet,then one from a great through ball just clipping it over the keeper and then a 22 yard bullet in off the bar.

Once the golden goal was called the intensity and volume went up.It took a good few minutes but it was strike by SWP that won it. It was only an hours session today given the matches coming thick and fast but as they went in there were just 3 who stayed a little longer. Mario plus 2 keepers. He just practiced 25 and 30 yarders for a few minutes and his radar got better as it went on.

[pepsi_dave]

Cheers Doug, good work as always.... ta!

[CitizenYank]

Doug, what would we do without you?? Loved the bit about the photographers getting drenched.

[leewonpen]

Cheers Doug.

[hyper]

Brilliant report as ever Doug.

Can't believe you neglected to tell us the biggest story of the day though - Balo smiles at training:

[DoomMerchant]

Brilliant report as ever Doug.

Can't believe you neglected to tell us the biggest story of the day though - Balo smiles at training:

that's some fuclin haircut.

One thing i hate tho is seeing footballers with earrings. i just...i dunno...wear them in your offtime, hell put a penis in your ear or wear a fuclin wig i don't care, but take off the earrings for training please.

is it just me?

cheers

[Goataldo]

Brilliant report as ever Doug.

Can't believe you neglected to tell us the biggest story of the day though - Balo smiles at training:

that's some fuclin haircut.

One thing i hate tho is seeing footballers with earrings. i just...i dunno...wear them in your offtime, hell put a penis in your ear or wear a fuclin wig i don't care, but take off the earrings for training please.

is it just me?

cheers

Is that a Pirelli or Michelin tyre that ran over his head?

Love the sound of 22 yard bullet in off the bar' though.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I forgot to mention something I heard about today and might as well put it here.
With the academy Oscars not far away it seems City are going to be giving out some Oscars of their own!! I am not sure what they will be called but they are something to do with Les Chapman so it's bound to be funny. Perhaps just called the Chappies. Look out for some thing on the official site soon.