Went along to Carrington for the pre match day training.Everything set up on the pitch nearest the buildings as usual which photographers can't get pictures from but there were 2 or 3 there hoping to get something in the car park or coming out of the changing rooms.Pretty obvious who the key target would be in the car park after I heard the news.
Just 16 on show today so all the obvious suspects missing.Noe of the really young ones involved today as they would probably have been up at Newcastle for the 21's game.Everyone seemed in good spirits as they jogged around and went through a series of exercises before Mancini took a team away to do some routine work on formations,shape/passing etc.That was quite short before they all got together for Ivan to take them through games with small nets with a one touch finish or full nets with headers only allowed. Barry the only one to score with a header and Milner and Edin scoring in the 5 a side goals.
A few more simple exercises and short sharp sprints and it was into a 9 a side game to finish off.Maybe some of this will be on Inside City tomorrow but mostly it was about defences,good blocks and good saves.Joe with a good one from Carlos,Edin nicked a post,Silva got hurt (nothing serious)Milner did score but was unlucky that he handled the ball accidentally when challenging someone.The game was very competitive which was clear by the way the players were all shouting ,encouraging.Costel was next to make a great save low to his right and as the ball trickled towards goal Kolo knocked it away.Straight down the other end for Joe to make his own top save low to his left.
It was looking like stalemate but it didn't actually surprise me when two of the best players on show combined for the only goal.Carlos had been very busy and threatening all game and he managed to lay the ball off to Milner who was running from deep.He took it clear of the defenders with his first touch to leave him one on one to score.Joe was not a happy bunny but it was a good little game for me to watch.
The 3 regulars stayed out for some shooting and free kick practice and again it was being filmed I guess for tomorrow's Inside City episode.Nasti stayed out and I think was lining up to do some work as I left and Razak had moved over to another pitch to work with a coach (maybe Platty) on midfield play and positioning or that's what it looked like to me.