Training Monday 21/11

[Douglas Higginbottom]

All present for a short session today and quite a lot wearing white snoods!Maybe Mario bought them all one.I watched the keepers for a few minutes before the others came out and noticed they don't do anything like the same routines to warm up as the rest of the team. Nothing different to other days but it only just dawned on me when they went straight into a catching routine.

Yaya,Clichy and Sergio out first together and then Sergio broke off for a long chat with Kidd.The banter between all the players was constant and fun as they all gathered and then went through the early gentle routines.Vinnie looked in especially good fun mood as he administered a punishment on Zaba for miscontrolling a ball by flicking his ear.

Keep ball circles followed and as they were very close to the fencing it was easy to see the fun as usual.Nigel was picked on a few times and voted into the middle,Kolarov launched into a Vinnie lunge when the group was having a go.Loads of cameras were inside as usual before a Euro day but strangely only one near me behind the fence. I think the photographers are preparing themselves for the time when the new high fencing is up and they will have to find different work on mornings. Sadly that day is coming very soon as the fences posts are going in already and I would guess 2 or 3 weeks before the netting is up and nobody will be able to see a thing.

Bridge ,Nedum and Roman were called across to make up numbers but they just stayed doing stretches while the rest played 1 and 2 touch games switching from small to full nets.Barry scored,Kolarov equalised then Nigel scores.Then into the big nets with only headers allowed and goal poacher Micah scored first before Kolarov again and then Micah again. Silva would have scored a header but Yaya( on his side) wanted the glory and somehow headed it off the line instead of in.Then Nigel scored again in a small net game.He is becoming a natural!

A few more exerciseds before the team from Saturday were allowed to go in and the 3 extras joined in for a 7 a side game.Goals in this from Edin (2), a beauty from Silva from 20 yards and then another in a 1 on 1 situation.A few great saves from Panti before Kolarov scored and got hurt in the process. Twice he got hurt today but he's made of tough stuff and got going again quickly.Then a class volley from Gazza and finally a sweet goal from Roman after he won the ball and strode forward to score.

That ended that after just under an hour so I went across to watch a full scale practice match for the reserves and some academy lads.Nil nil when I left after half an hour but I am sure there would be some goals from the part I saw.I knew most of the players but just 3 I think were new and no doubt on trial

[Chinners]

Cheers DH ... insightful stuff as always, much appreciated fella

[PeterParker]

Douglas, i've always wanted to ask you how are the lads calling Bob? I ask you this because the italian managers, well, the latin ones, want the team to call them "Mister" in most of the time. Is this the case, or they call him "boss"?

Cheers

[Dameerto]

I think Joe has called him the boss in some interview or other.

[shortagain]

I've got some ladders & a chain you could have Doug. The ladders are over 8" & the chain would be long enough to fasten the ladders to a sturdy tree

[Ted Hughes]

Douglas, i've always wanted to ask you how are the lads calling Bob? I ask you this because the italian managers, well, the latin ones, want the team to call them "Mister" in most of the time. Is this the case, or they call him "boss"?

Cheers

Il Duce.

[Ted Hughes]

'Sadly that day is coming very soon as the fences posts are going in already and I would guess 2 or 3 weeks before the netting is up and nobody will be able to see a thing.'

Back to the tunnel plan Doug ?

Cheers.

[Wonderwall]

Sounds like your days watching from behind the fence are numbered Doug, any chance of dropping vicky an email asking what the chances are of getting inside again? It would be a big shame if they didnt at least acknowledge the fact that you never give anything away that a rival team could use. You are a fan doing it for the fans, I hope they allow you in.

[Slim]

Cheers doug, back in form.

[Ted Hughes]

Sounds like your days watching from behind the fence are numbered Doug, any chance of dropping vicky an email asking what the chances are of getting inside again? It would be a big shame if they didnt at least acknowledge the fact that you never give anything away that a rival team could use. You are a fan doing it for the fans, I hope they allow you in.

Fnarr fnarr.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Sounds like your days watching from behind the fence are numbered Doug, any chance of dropping vicky an email asking what the chances are of getting inside again? It would be a big shame if they didnt at least acknowledge the fact that you never give anything away that a rival team could use. You are a fan doing it for the fans, I hope they allow you in.

It does look like that day is close now. I have e mailed Vicky and had a response so I havent given up hope yet but, given how busy things are at City, I doubt I am high on the priorities.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Douglas, i've always wanted to ask you how are the lads calling Bob? I ask you this because the italian managers, well, the latin ones, want the team to call them "Mister" in most of the time. Is this the case, or they call him "boss"?

Cheers

Can't recall hearing players on the training pitch but I do know Kidd refers to him as boss.

[Plain Speaking]

Sounds like your days watching from behind the fence are numbered Doug, any chance of dropping vicky an email asking what the chances are of getting inside again? It would be a big shame if they didnt at least acknowledge the fact that you never give anything away that a rival team could use. You are a fan doing it for the fans, I hope they allow you in.

It does look like that day is close now. I have e mailed Vicky and had a response so I havent given up hope yet but, given how busy things are at City, I doubt I am high on the priorities.

If you mentioned how many fanstypically view your training posts here and on Bluemoon I'm sure it would carry a lot of weight with the club to let you in!
:-)
(Just looking at last Friday's report: approx 2,200 on Bluemoon and 650 on here)

[steveo_88]

Nice to see Nige scoring more often. Some more pile drivers from long range would certainly give the opposition a bigger headache, if they don't already have a migrane. Top post as always Doug.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Nice to see Nige scoring more often. Some more pile drivers from long range would certainly give the opposition a bigger headache, if they don't already have a migrane. Top post as always Doug.

His 2 today were coming in from the left attacking position. Maybe his new role!

[Bluedj]

Sounds like your days watching from behind the fence are numbered Doug, any chance of dropping vicky an email asking what the chances are of getting inside again? It would be a big shame if they didnt at least acknowledge the fact that you never give anything away that a rival team could use. You are a fan doing it for the fans, I hope they allow you in.

Doug, surely there must be a way to approach the club and get a regular pass......Also can our forum and the other forums no get together for this?

[Biamp]

Cheers Doug, great stuff as usual. I really hope you will be given the green light to have access to training.

[southaustralianblue]

it would be a shame if in the process of keeping out the paps that we lose these reports. My favourite bit of the site

[Yffi_88]

Free Pass for Doug!!! The way the club is at the minute, it wouldn't surprise me if they allowed it if we got enough manpower behind the cause.

[Blue Since 76]

We need a 'What the Doug says' section on the OS. Training reports controlled by the club but that the fans can read and discuss.