It's been a week since I was last at Carrington because of the midweek internationals and when I arrived it was all quiet bar 2 coaches setting stuff up.Took a while before players came out then followed by Mancini after his press conference.Probably a long than usual press conference as the idiots asking the questions would have struggled with Mario having moved on.Then I hear they stayed stupid and asked if Mancini was leaving.
The pre session briefing was a little ,longer than usual as well before they broke off to do initial warm up exercises.18 on show and great to see the skipper out there.Just one obvious missing player but I don't know if Mancini mentioned him so I won't.Mancini then too a team off for some basic teamwork which was very low key and almost in slow motion with the team make up changed around quite a lot.Then straight into a game and here Vinnie sat out.No point in over pushing him the day before a game and I reckon a big decision for the boss re whether to play him or give him 2 more weeks rest as he could easily sit out the Leeds game.
Key moments for me in the game:
A lovely defence splitting pass from Yaya
A great run from deep by Rodders to make a pass possible
a neat Silva goal from a Kun cut back
top Kun goal from tight on the left ( remember his goal against Spurs at WHL last season powering past the center back!)
clever Edin goal flicking past the keeper at the near post
great AK block
Maicon intercepting a pass and hitting the post
After the game just the regular 3 stayed out for some shooting/finishing practice.Just a short session after the midweek game and travelling for many of the players which sounds about right plus the travel down to Soton this afternoon.