No training today so easy to pop along to Platt Lane where the EDS had a special friendly arranged and Mario was in the team to continue his return after illness/injury.It was also the first game as far as I know for our Japanese triallist Ishige or Ishegi.
Interesting game too but because of the Mario appearance it was decided not to announce teams or even publish a programme so it didn't become a Mario sideshow. Our team was:
Johansen
Wabara,Rekik,Meppen-Walter,Marin
Henshall,Assiani,Suarez,Mancini
Mario,Ishegi
Not sure of the spelling of the Japanese lad and even less so with the midfield guy who was built like Razak but maybe a bit heavier.Not that much to report on the first half.We had chances and so did they although on balance we might have slightly had the upper hand.Then in the 2nd half it all changed quickly.Mario got the ball on the edge of the box centrally and the defender seemed to stand maybe a yard off him as if saying now what are you going to do.Mario took a second considered his options and put it into the left corner with the keeper not moving.
Not that long after we had a good break on with Suarez on the ball.Mario took off down the onside left position and received the perfect pass,took a perfect first touch and slotted it past the advancing keeper.Sweet goal and you will be able to see it on Inside City at the weekend.I was just behind the camera and it's a great spot to see the goal from.
Mario's performance was interesting.He is not one of those who chases about all over the place like Dickov ( I dropped him in because he was there watching) but he showed plenty of real quality and showed he was a class above the rest much of the time. He won at least two free kicks on the edge of the box and a penalty when he was tripped.He should have had a 2nd as well.
As it happens the 1st pen we got was for a foul on Rusnak who came on as sub at half time.Mario could have got his hat trick but just flicked the ball to Ishegi and told him to take it.His effort was saved but he knocked in the rebound.Again he could have scored a 3rd but when he won the pen he let Suarez take it and he scored easily.
It was only a friendly but interesting to see Ishegi.He is only small (no surprise there) and early on it was more about how tough he would find it again bigger stronger players.He wasn't getting away from his markers to find space and when the ball was played to him he w as brushed aside.But he did get more and more into the game and started to influence things better.He clearly has a decent touch and awareness and wasn't deterred by the physical aspects of the game.OK for a first game over here and I look forward to seeing more of him.
Rusnak came into the midfield for the 2nd half and that helped us take over the game.It also helped when Mancini was taken off.Suarez needs more game time after his injury but was much better than his first game back pre Xmas v Fulham.I think,apart from Rekik,none of the players likely to play on the youth cup game on Thursday were involved today although Evans,Lopes and Pozo were on the bench. ( I am assuming Suarez is too old).
Plenty watching today.Lopes still had the widest smile on his face.I had to congratulate him and shake his hand.PV was there along with Marwood,Txiki plus Dedryk. Colin Hendry was looking after the BBurn team,Lombardo with our lot.
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