Training Friday 13/5

[Douglas Higginbottom]

It might be the day before a big game but it was business as usual at Carrington. A few extra cameras said there was something special.The spirit was fantastic as you would expect and even when the heavens opened it had no effect.

Everybody out there bar JB and MJ and a good EDS squad training away on a distant pitch.I think even Assulin was out working today as well. Nothing special to nore from today's work although it started with them jogging away from a near pitch to another where Mancini had been setting up cones and all sorts.There he went throught he normal pre training chat to the whole group before spending a little time addressing Stoke's main threat.

Nobody was launching throw in's or corners but clearly he was talking to them about positional stuff plus I would say a bit of special time for the full backs as we all know the best way of combatting them is to to stop the ball coming in in the first place.Then back over to close to the fences and some routine knock about football on two adjacent pitches,switching from one to the other. And finally a 10 a side game.

As has happened before I don't think they were aware of the rules immediately and a goal was scored in 5 seconds which had Joe Hart bellowing about chaos and quickly it happens in these games.The only special point in this was the lack of a certain player taking part but I am sure it was just precautionary. Sure as hell hope so.

Then when I came to leave the traffic was at a standstill heading to the M60 so I had to come home via Flixton.Nobody seemed to know what was going on but I hope it clears before City need to leave or they will miss the train.

Right it's off to Wembley for me. See you Sunday

[Feed The Goat]

Have fun Doug

[Beefymcfc]

Cheers Doug, but who was the certain player? I've just heard that Platt has said that it's down to Carlos whether he plays or not. I do hope that it wasn't Mancini passing the buck on his fitness.

[lukemb]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... twear.html

...looking at these pics I fear it may have been a certain Spaniard

[Beefymcfc]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1386612/Carlos-Tevez-shows-FA-Cup-final-desire-specially-designed-footwear.html

...looking at these pics I fear it may have been a certain Spaniard

Nice boots. Seems that we've got the answer on Carlos then.

[Blue Since 76]

Mario looks VERY pleased with himself in that first group shot. Hope it doesn't slow him down.

[giokingkladze]

It might be the day before a big game but it was business as usual at Carrington. A few extra cameras said there was something special.The spirit was fantastic as you would expect and even when the heavens opened it had no effect.

Everybody out there bar JB and MJ and a good EDS squad training away on a distant pitch.I think even Assulin was out working today as well. Nothing special to nore from today's work although it started with them jogging away from a near pitch to another where Mancini had been setting up cones and all sorts.There he went throught he normal pre training chat to the whole group before spending a little time addressing Stoke's main threat.

Nobody was launching throw in's or corners but clearly he was talking to them about positional stuff plus I would say a bit of special time for the full backs as we all know the best way of combatting them is to to stop the ball coming in in the first place.Then back over to close to the fences and some routine knock about football on two adjacent pitches,switching from one to the other. And finally a 10 a side game.

As has happened before I don't think they were aware of the rules immediately and a goal was scored in 5 seconds which had Joe Hart bellowing about chaos and quickly it happens in these games.The only special point in this was the lack of a certain player taking part but I am sure it was just precautionary. Sure as hell hope so.

Then when I came to leave the traffic was at a standstill heading to the M60 so I had to come home via Flixton.Nobody seemed to know what was going on but I hope it clears before City need to leave or they will miss the train.

Right it's off to Wembley for me. See you Sunday

Hi DH,

What're your feelings as to the team tomorrow from what you saw today? Is Tevez in? Balo or Dzeko? Barry back? And Kolarov or Zaba?

Cheers