Pre Derby Training

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Only a quick visit today but just as well as the smell from the swamp training ground was a bit strong today. A few papps around as well today (not seen them much this season) so my good view was quickly taken away as the high fences went up.They just went around the far side for a clear view with their long lenses whilst I was blocked off.The higher curtains on the other side might have blocked them but nothing was done about that.

Everyone out there I expected to see and I think 19 in all as well as 3 keepers.Micah back after missing at least 1 day last week and good to see Jovetic still out after that long game he played on Saturday.Not the most physical session today but plenty of work with the ball after the essential runs and stretches.Then work on corners/free kicks where the ball stayed in play until it was cleared past the half way line.

Highlight of the day,maybe the year came after Costel sliced a clearance and it went for a throw in.Vinnie raced to take it,exchanged passes with Edin before he passed inside the box to Joleon who controlled it before moving it onto his right foot and scoring with a low shot.He did a lap of the penalty area accepting high 5's from his team mates who were taking the mick out of the defending side.

Everyone in good spirits ready for the big game but I had to leave just as they were starting with shots from the edge of the box and no doubt some penalty fun to finish off with.

[feedthegreek]

cheers doug, was aguero out there.

[blues2win]

No Sergio yet. I think Pellegrini talked about later in the week. Maybe just on the bench for the Arse.

[gmercer1]

Cheers Doug.

What worries me is we seem to do a hell of a lot of corner practise yet we are still shocking at them!
Lets hope this practise pays off tomorrow night.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

No Sergio yet. I think Pellegrini talked about later in the week. Maybe just on the bench for the Arse.

I didn't see him at all but he will be at the stage of working outside but just with a physio.Probably he will join the team later in the week and be ok for after the Arse.

[Ted Hughes]

Did you find out who the mystery lads were tother day Doug ?

[stevefromdonny]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

[Wonderwall]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

I will have ypu know that we had many corners on Saturday and none cleared by the 1st man. I was very impressed.

[Douglas Higginbottom]

Did you find out who the mystery lads were tother day Doug ?

No.Nobody close to the team came close today to ask. I have asked the security guy who wanders around but he is so pre programmed to tell me nothing that when I ask which pitch they are going to practice on he says " no idea mate could be any of them". That despite the fact that he had been helping them set things up on the pitch they were going to use.

[phips]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

[john@staustell]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

[Ted Hughes]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

I imagine we will be right up there this season re goals from corners & set pieces in general & it's no accident. Just down to good management. We can still improve, as sometimes the delivery is awful, but when we get it right, we either score or almost score or score from the resulting mayhem.

Even Yaya's goal on Sunday was a set piece; the same one they tried in the Cup final but fucked up (but he scored from there anyway when the ball came back to him!)

[Plain Speaking]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

I imagine we will be right up there this season re goals from corners & set pieces in general & it's no accident. Just down to good management. We can still improve, as sometimes the delivery is awful, but when we get it right, we either score or almost score or score from the resulting mayhem.

Even Yaya's goal on Sunday was a set piece; the same one they tried in the Cup final but fucked up (but he scored from there anyway when the ball came back to him!)

None of Saturdays goals were scored from "open play". 2 pens Yayas from a free kick Ferds and MDM's from corners

[Wonderwall]

it might be me, but when we have a corner, why don't we hit it towards the pen spot instead of the near post, more chance when the ball is near pen spot, more players around that area.

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

I imagine we will be right up there this season re goals from corners & set pieces in general & it's no accident. Just down to good management. We can still improve, as sometimes the delivery is awful, but when we get it right, we either score or almost score or score from the resulting mayhem.

Even Yaya's goal on Sunday was a set piece; the same one they tried in the Cup final but fucked up (but he scored from there anyway when the ball came back to him!)

None of Saturdays goals were scored from "open play". 2 pens Yayas from a free kick Ferds and MDM's from corners

when is it classed as open play? Is it a very grey area? Is there a number of touches? I am asking genuinely as I have no idea. MDM's goal had a few players touch it before he got his twinkle toes on it.

[Plain Speaking]

havent scored the most goals from corners in the league?

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

I imagine we will be right up there this season re goals from corners & set pieces in general & it's no accident. Just down to good management. We can still improve, as sometimes the delivery is awful, but when we get it right, we either score or almost score or score from the resulting mayhem.

Even Yaya's goal on Sunday was a set piece; the same one they tried in the Cup final but fucked up (but he scored from there anyway when the ball came back to him!)

None of Saturdays goals were scored from "open play". 2 pens Yayas from a free kick Ferds and MDM's from corners

when is it classed as open play? Is it a very grey area? Is there a number of touches? I am asking genuinely as I have no idea. MDM's goal had a few players touch it before he got his twinkle toes on it.

Fair question! I classed MDMs and Ferds goals as resulting from the corners because the ball was not cleared from around the penalty area after the initial corner. I don't know if there are definitive rules?

[Wonderwall]

Our friend Demichelis has become like a man possessed at corners. We were determined to rack up the score the other day. Same tonight please.

I imagine we will be right up there this season re goals from corners & set pieces in general & it's no accident. Just down to good management. We can still improve, as sometimes the delivery is awful, but when we get it right, we either score or almost score or score from the resulting mayhem.

Even Yaya's goal on Sunday was a set piece; the same one they tried in the Cup final but fucked up (but he scored from there anyway when the ball came back to him!)

None of Saturdays goals were scored from "open play". 2 pens Yayas from a free kick Ferds and MDM's from corners

when is it classed as open play? Is it a very grey area? Is there a number of touches? I am asking genuinely as I have no idea. MDM's goal had a few players touch it before he got his twinkle toes on it.

Fair question! I classed MDMs and Ferds goals as resulting from the corners because the ball was not cleared from around the penalty area after the initial corner. I don't know if there are definitive rules?

Cheers. There must be rules as the commentators say goals from open play, or come out with stats about teams who haven't scored from open play since....?

I just wondered what they were, I have not actually thought about it before you mentioned MDMs goal

[Douglas Higginbottom]

So that's why they keep practicing corners? Well done Edin

[bayblue]

Having been one of the ones complaining about our corners at the start of the season then I've got to say we have improved a lot. Would have loved the Vinnie/Ferna one to have come off. Liked the way Vinnie confused Fellaini for Dzeko second goal tonight.
Credit to the players and the coaches for a great improvement.