Training Thursday 14/4

[Douglas Higginbottom]

17 players out training today.No Kolo or MJ to add to the injured.MJ with the reserves I think.Everything taking place behind fences today much to the disappointment of quite a number of fans there as it's school holidays.A long way away on the far side too.It all seemed low key again today as they went through the usual stuff to start with and on into keep ball circles.None of the usual noise I usually hear during this and nothing to hectic as it often has become.

Then Mancini got together a team and worked on some attacking moves.Pretty sure it wasn't the team for Saturday ( hope not anyway as it didn't include Silva) but these little sessions were only either 1 or 2 movements before he changed 2 or 3 players and by the time it had finished pretty well every player had taken part.As the team changed it seemed the formation changed as well or maybe that was just me.The defensive unit was changed as well during this although basically all they did ( one of them at most) was pass the ball into midfield to start the attack and then watch.

After that it was onto a game of 10 a side with Micah sitting it out( no point in overdoing it I am sure).Early goals from Milner and Jo( straight through the keeper that one)then SWP and a simple one for AJ put one team 4 up before Vinnie and Silva pulled goals back.The final goals for each side were from Mario and Dzeko but overall it wasn't the strongest,most competitive game I have seen.

The finale was a penalty session which started very well but went downhill. I think 6 out of the first 7 went in and the failure went miles over.Then the keepers started to save a few.No names on the ones who didn't score.Maybe all so that Mancini can get a feel for who would be best taking them if that's what it comes to.

As the majority went inside Dzeko was called back to join Mario for a masterclass session from Mancini.Basically he took them to the edge of a penalty area and spent at least 20 minutes that I saw just talking to them and showing them a few moves. Mostly with a defender tight on his back.Neither player kicked a ball during this or basically even moved,just taking on board what he was saying.

There were 4 photographers there from the start who stayed for this and I am sure were only there for Mario pictures hoping he would give them something worthwhile.Plenty of moronic playground type comments from them consistently but summed up with a comment something like "well lads whatever pictures we get we know the caption we put with it will be about the bollocking Balotelli got from Mancini" Of course there wasn;t one but what do you expect from the gutter press.

[the_georgian_genius]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

[Beefymcfc]

Nice report Doug, thanks a million.

I hope no-one mentions why we are taking penalty's, thinking we're going for the draw?

[Beefymcfc]

Quick question Doug, do you think Mancini could go for Kolarov in the left mid spot with Zab's sat behind?

[edgeley blue]

Cheers Doug, top report as usual. Do you get the feeling that Balo and Edin will start together on saturday?

[Goaters 103]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

[Beefymcfc]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

I think it'd more of a 4-5-1 with Mario playing more to the left.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice report Doug, thanks a million.

I hope no-one mentions why we are taking penalty's, thinking we're going for the draw?

That was one of the themes for the intelligencia next me ( the photographers) suggesting that we will try to park the bus and get a nil nil draw.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Quick question Doug, do you think Mancini could go for Kolarov in the left mid spot with Zab's sat behind?

He could but personally i don't think he will

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Cheers Doug, top report as usual. Do you get the feeling that Balo and Edin will start together on saturday?

I don't get that feeling no but he has surprised us before.

[the_georgian_genius]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

Doesn't have to be 4-4-2, it could be 4-3-3. If we sit back and allow Nani and Valencia to get at Kolarov/Zabaleta and Richards/Zabaleta we will get "snotted"

[Douglas Higginbottom]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

Doesn't have to be 4-4-2, it could be 4-3-3. If we sit back and allow Nani and Valencia to get at Kolarov/Zabaleta and Richards/Zabaleta we will get "snotted"

The problem with Utd isn't just the worry about how their wide players will fare against our full backs it's the pace they break at all over the pitch. If we press a lot and are fully commited forward we struggle to get back quickly and we won't have the support the full back need.

[BadKompany]

Exactly right reagarding the Rags and their attacking prowess,they posesss so many players with the ability to get forward with pace and directness,they also have at least 5 players on the pitch capable of accurately crossing a ball,we struggle to play one.

If we come anyway short of matching their industry and energy we will lose,that means probably three of our players having to show something very different to what i have witnessed so far.

Thanks forthe report Doug,great news on MR.

Any news regarding GA yet??

[paulmclaren]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

I think it'd more of a 4-5-1 with Mario playing more to the left.

Why does he always play strikers on the left of midfield(attacking).
He's playing ballatelli there of late, tevez is always there.
So a 25 million pound player (tevez) and a 24 million pound player (ballatelli), bought as strikers, played out of position.
Why not just but a fucking left winger and actually play these players in the position they was brought to the club to play?

[Bingo Lewis]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

I think it'd more of a 4-5-1 with Mario playing more to the left.

Why does he always play strikers on the left of midfield(attacking).
He's playing ballatelli there of late, tevez is always there.
So a 25 million pound player (tevez) and a 24 million pound player (ballatelli), bought as strikers, played out of position.
Why not just but a fucking left winger and actually play these players in the position they was brought to the club to play?

I've asked you a question on yesterday's training topic, could you answer it please? Can't be bothered typing it again.

[paulmclaren]

I've answered your question.
And i don't want to get this topic all off topic, so i will not say no more in this one.
No doubt i'd get the blame for sending it off topic even if i didn't as everyone taking a swipe at me, but i speak my mind.

[Goaters 103]

So Dzeko and Balotelli up front then on Saturday? Would love that, lets just go for it.

If we line up 4-4-2 with those two up front, that would be borderline suicide and we would get snotted.

Doesn't have to be 4-4-2, it could be 4-3-3. If we sit back and allow Nani and Valencia to get at Kolarov/Zabaleta and Richards/Zabaleta we will get "snotted"

4-3-3 would be even more daft, and would lead to an even greater hammering. Have you actually watched Utd at all and seen how they break teams down? I seriously doubt Kolarov will be playing on saturday so he isnt the problem, however we are likely to be fielding 2 full-backs in Zabba and Micah, who havent played in a month so they will need additional proection in front of them, not players bombing on ahead and leaving them exposed to one on one situations in our final third.

We will need to go 4-5-1, snuff out the wide guys and get right inside Giggs underpants so he has no time to operate. We will also need to retain possession when we have it, mark a hell of a lot better at pieces and not give away and daft free kicks round the box. If we keep our shape, show some discipline, play in both a committed and responsible fashion and get some of the breaks, we will have a chance.

With Rooney out of the picture, the two main threats are Nani and Giggs who are the most likely sources of major trouble for us. Account for them, cut the supply line off to that little Mexican turd up top and we may be on to something.

Yes it doesnt sound an adventurous formation, but given the resources we have it represents our optimum chance of getting a result because we will have to grind one out if we are to be successful.

[Dunnylad]

Any news regarding GA yet??

He's been on Twitter saying "Back from Israel after birthday...Back to do recovery at #MCFC traning (sic) ground."

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Any news regarding GA yet??

He's been on Twitter saying "Back from Israel after birthday...Back to do recovery at #MCFC traning (sic) ground."

I was going to say I haven't seen him since the injury he got playing for the EDS.It was a bad one and at the time I expected it would end his season. Still looks quite likely.

[BadKompany]

Thanks for the replies lads.