Training Back again 8th July

[Beefymcfc]

Excellent.

[Bleed_Blue]

Just a ps to the report, it was good to see Pellegrini close up involved with the 5 aside game even though that's all it was.

Was Guidetti involved in training Doug ?
Thanks for the report

[Twobob]

Thanks Doug, always good to see the first pre-season report and a decent thread for a change - this close season is a killer!

Lets hope you get back behind the fences!

[Ted Hughes]

And bloody hot it was too.Meeting with George Evans on Saturday made me keen to go even if it was just to watch the EDS boys in action with Vieira.I worked on a 10.30 start but when i got there there were some players already going in after an initial session.

Schoolboy error number 1 for me though was to wear shorts.I completely forgot how much the nettles,brambles,thorns etc grew in the summer making the path alongside the fencing close to impassible in parts.There were about 8 first teamers doing warm up routines and 2 on the bleep test.Nasri was one of them after what seemed a good long chat with the boss.I kept wandering round to watch the EDS boys on the far side as there is no fencing there (yet)All the other areas seem to have had the fencing renewed and now there are no holes at all.

The action was underway with the EDS and the first player I saw was Pozo working 1 to 1 with a physio.Clearly a distance to go before he plays again but good to see him outside kicking a ball again.The rest were all in hard action in two groups.Vieira watching closely and with plenty of words of encouragement.I think these lads had already got a few days training under their belts and all I saw was work with the ball.Very short sharp football exercises which tired me out just watching.

Emyr Huws/Boyata were working with the first team but there were over 20 boys here,including Harry Bunn,Scapuzzi,Wabara andDrury back from his loan spell.The one who caught my eye was Fofana.Strong and quick and a good touch but we will see in games whether he can play with his head up and enough intelligence.After the initial stuff I saw they change into 4 teams and played a pass ,move, press game with a point scored for each run of 8 completed passes.The games were fast and only 4 minutes long but the action was good.Vieira often reminding them to make the ball do the work and keep it simple.

I moved back the 1st teamers out and watched a 5 a side game where I saw immediately why Joleon is staying as he rifled home the first goal.Quickly followed by a nice one from Scott Sinclair and then Huws and another from Scott.The bast though came from Fred with a nice give and go,good movement and first touch and then slotted home with ease.I think Fred was Fernandinho anyway.

I called it a day then.Some other players were now doing the bleep test.Maybe Vinnie,Maicon and others going in as I macheted my way back to the car thinking I must be better prepared next time.

I thought Sinclair would be unable to train until Septemberish? Nice to hear he's up and running.

Well now that mental girl with the big tits has left, apparently he said that the weather was nice as it can be, but that it didn't matter much to him & for all the fun he'll have while she's so far away, he might as well train until September.

September.


Great work Doug. Cheers.

[Saul Goodman]

I'm assuming its too early to see what MP does differently than RM....

Cool to read these reports.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Just a ps to the report, it was good to see Pellegrini close up involved with the 5 aside game even though that's all it was.

Was Guidetti involved in training Doug ?
Thanks for the report

Guidetti was out there at some point,possibly doing the bleep test or maybe more.

I got the impression that the training today was in different parts.Definitely the bleep test ,plus some standard warm up exercises and including a 5 a side game but as I saw some going back off after the test it certainly wasn't a full session as I have been used to watching.

It's the first full day back for many of them so only to be expected.Good to hear Vinnie being positive about his first day under the new boss.I think his time outside may well have been in the afternoon.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

I'm assuming its too early to see what MP does differently than RM....

Cool to read these reports.

Definitely and as they leave for S Africa in 2 days I doubt I will find out what a "normal" training session will be under Manuel till the season virtually starts.

[Risby]

Really glad you put in the effort to write these reports. Can't speak for anyone else, but it is something I look forward to reading everyday. Cheers Doug.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Cracking stuff. Just take some secateurs next time, it would be madness not wear shorts in this weather. Surely a pass is in the offing though? If not it might be time for you to start slagging off a certain blonde lady to the press. It worked for Bobby....oh wait...

What're your thoughts on Dedryck? Think he's worth keeping hold of?

Gut feeling is that he's a nearly player who would succeed at a slightly lower level than City,maybe not even premiership.I could be wrong so we might keep him for the squad unless we buy another top class centre back ( Pepe).

[Mikhail Chigorin]

I'm assuming its too early to see what MP does differently than RM....

Cool to read these reports.

Definitely and as they leave for S Africa in 2 days I doubt I will find out what a "normal" training session will be under Manuel till the season virtually starts.

A fine report Mr H. but I would have thought the Club would have taken you along, with the rest of the squad, to South Africa as well, so that your reports to us weren't interrupted.

You'll have to get Pellegrini to realise who you are and what/who you represent, as we all remain avid for any morsels of information you can disclose.

You're far too important to remain kicking your heels at Carrington.

[Saul Goodman]

A new Inside City featuring this training session is on the OS.

Nasri looks a little out of a shape...took his holiday a bit too far maybe.

[Twobob]

Definitely and as they leave for S Africa in 2 days I doubt I will find out what a "normal" training session will be under Manuel till the season virtually starts.

They should take you with them Doug

[DoomMerchant]

A new Inside City featuring this training session is on the OS.

Nasri looks a little out of a shape...took his holiday a bit too far maybe.

Did his girlfriend get him pregnant perhaps? They are all doing it these days. Turkey basters. Donors. Etc.

[john68]

He might as well train until September.
September.

Getting Goffin and King to write your posts is cheating Ted

[littlebig]

Really glad you put in the effort to write these reports. Can't speak for anyone else, but it is something I look forward to reading everyday. Cheers Doug.

I'll second that. Thanks again Douglas

[Douglas Higginbottom]

A new Inside City featuring this training session is on the OS.

Nasri looks a little out of a shape...took his holiday a bit too far maybe.

The only thing I saw Nasri do was the bleep test which came immediately after a good chat with Pellegreni.

[Cocacolajojo1]

Great to see that City and yourself are back in action Doug. Much appreciated, as always!

[Slim]

A new Inside City featuring this training session is on the OS.

Nasri looks a little out of a shape...took his holiday a bit too far maybe.

The only thing I saw Nasri do was the bleep test which came immediately after a good chat with Pellegreni.

Whenever you call it the bleep test, I think you are swearing and censoring yourself.

[johnny crossan]

Good to see the new curtains didn't stop you Doug!

[trout man]

Thanks Doug, it's only 'official' when the reports come from you. Always an interesting read. Now is the time to put the squeeze on someone you know to get a foot in the door. They should realise by now that your reports are measured and don't reveal tactics, yet promote the club in a positive light; I mean if bluemoan use them they have to be special, don't they?