Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Another really good session today but very different from yesterday.And it started with the great sight of Vinnie coming out alongside Nasri.So those rumours of Vinnie having an operation last week weren't true, surprise surprise.As they were all milling around waiting for the boss to gather them for the initial briefing Sergio and Pablo decided to try the old playground trick to floor Mario.Pablo getting onto all 4's behind Mario as Sergio pushed him over.The old ones are the best:)
23 players on view today with Rekik,Razak,Roman,Suarez and Helan still involved and only Hargreaves missing.Mancini took a team away early on to work with and the rest stayed back to do some gentle but specific ball exercises.Lots of emphasis on a good touch,whether it's volleys,half volleys ,chest ,head etc.Then everyone into fitness exercises which is where Vinnie and Samir were separate doing their own thing under the watchful eye of Mancini.Dzeko with these two as well catching up on what he missed yesterday.
Then into a passing game with the small nets to score in as long as 10 passes had been completed.Mario missed the beginning of this as he ran inside but in the end I think he scored the only goal with a header.3 of the young ones missed out on this game to help with the keeper training(Roman,Scapuzzi and Helan).Up to this point the work had been quality but not intense or especially energetic which I felt yesterday was.That was before the final session which was 6 a side with 4 teams competing against each other in very short games.Unfortunately there was an injury which didnt look good as he was piggy backed off and then whisked away on a buggy. An ankle injury to Razak.Not sure how it happened but I just hope its a knock rather than ligament trouble.
So onto the 6 a side and it was quite frantic and impossible to watch everything with 2 games going on simultaneously and goals flying in all the time.Another injury happened very quickly which again looked worrying but I think it was just Rekik got caught in the face and lost a contact lens!I hope it was that anyway and not a tooth :) Mario also got an ankle knock but it was nothing and he was just milking it.
Although plenty of goals I think Mancini was more concerned that the movement was good and the tracking and closing of players was equally good.He didnt want anyone coasting and the energy and desire was there for all to see.Not least as ever from Nigel and I think he scored 3 in the first game.So many goals and I will have missed plenty as well probabbly but I saw:
Nigel about 5
Suarez 2
Scapuzzi 3
Edin 6
Aguero 1 ( I must have missed some)
Rekik
Helan 2
Milner 2
Roman
Mario 2
Kolarov 2
Zaba 2
Barry
AJ
Some beauties in there too but it was only 6 a side and the keepers worked overtime pulling off masses of great saves.Hard to tell who won but I think it was given away with Nigel's raised arm and celebrations with Joleon when the final final whistle blew.Their team also included Silva (maybe he scored and I missed it) Edin and Joan Roman.All good stuff and as they were all called to the physio for a warm down Mario stayed back for a couple of penalties. And yes he scored both against Joe who's words in response are not printable :)
twosips wrote:I echo Ted's sentiments ^^
Interested to hear how Razak is doing. I think a lot of our younger players would actually play better for us than they would for a championship club. Same way that when a young Barca player comes into their first team they excel around quality. Put it this way, if that Cuenca lad at Barca who's just broke though went to say Barnsley on loan, as well as he'd do, he'd never look as good as he does in the Barca team surrounded by sheer talent.
Razak, Rekik and Suarez seem like the three most talented youngsters we've got and I genuinely believe they could develop to a good level if they train with our first team constantly and fit in.
Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Quality as ever.
Does Razak contribute well in an attacking sense in the training games & seem to have an aptitude for it or is he looking more likely to end up developing in a Nige type role ?
Dubciteh wrote:Cheers.
Hows Pizarro looking?
Dubciteh wrote:Cheers.
Hows Pizarro looking?
mr_nool wrote:Dubciteh wrote:Cheers.
Hows Pizarro looking?
I was a bit doubtful at first, but he's conquered me.
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Quality as ever.
Does Razak contribute well in an attacking sense in the training games & seem to have an aptitude for it or is he looking more likely to end up developing in a Nige type role ?
Again I would have to qualify any response by saying that the games are usually less than 11 a side and played on half a pitch. I would say Razak's natural game is central/defensive midfield where he breaks up the game and gives it to a team mate.He does that well and he also is strong in the tackle both making them and taking them.So quite like Nigel really.
BUT when I have seen him play for the EDS he has looked to drive forward with the ball to try and make things happen and at times has looked good doing that even though I would say his vision and weight of pass isn't great.
Ted Hughes wrote:Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Thanks Doug. Quality as ever.
Does Razak contribute well in an attacking sense in the training games & seem to have an aptitude for it or is he looking more likely to end up developing in a Nige type role ?
Again I would have to qualify any response by saying that the games are usually less than 11 a side and played on half a pitch. I would say Razak's natural game is central/defensive midfield where he breaks up the game and gives it to a team mate.He does that well and he also is strong in the tackle both making them and taking them.So quite like Nigel really.
BUT when I have seen him play for the EDS he has looked to drive forward with the ball to try and make things happen and at times has looked good doing that even though I would say his vision and weight of pass isn't great.
Cheers.
I figured he may end up in that role but he seems a yard or two quicker than Nige, so hopefully could be a more mobile version in the future.
ant london wrote:Is grandpa pat down there much around the first team?
Sideshow Bob wrote:doug, out of curiosity, have you ever seen training for any other clubs? wondering how ours compares in terms of intensity, types of drills, duration, etc.
twosips wrote:How does training now compare to Sven and Hughes?
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:twosips wrote:How does training now compare to Sven and Hughes?
haha why am I not surprised at that question. Let me consider the answer and let you know.
Douglas Higginbottom wrote:twosips wrote:How does training now compare to Sven and Hughes?
haha why am I not surprised at that question. Let me consider the answer and let you know.
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