FantasyIreland
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- Joined
- 29 Oct 2008
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Good interesting session today at drizzly but warm Carrington. Right at the start and before any warm ups at all Mancini had the whole group, all 20 of them (without keepers), set up in attack and defence formation to work on some throw in routines.It was as if Mancini has had some sleepless nights thinking about it and wanted to get to it immediately.
Same missing players as yesterday and Michael Johnson was working with the reserves today.Nothing sinister in that but just about even numbers for the sessions.After that initial work most players started some warm up routines but Mancini kept 6 defenders for some routine defensive formation work.The others misxed and matched between some running/fitness routines and some ball work.
The football was a nine a side game ( 8 plus keepers) as a few went in . Lescott,Kolo,Nigel and Zaba.As usual a competitive game and some good skill on show. Great to see Silva fully involved and no doubt being watched closely by Mancini and co re his fitness.One thing for sure is that Dzeko isnt just a header of the ball.RSC was in very good nick and alert to any scraps around goal.With a few defenders missing SWP was given a withdrawn role which isnt his strength but with Patrick alongside he did quite well.
Goal of the day today was Carlos who weaved his way through the middle leaving defenders on the floor and left Shay helpless. Joe Hart was probably hoarse from all his shouting , trying to stop Kolarov and others getting shots away.He is never quiet.Dzeko took a few of his chances really well and Silva looked what he is,class. Kompany was trying to defend against Silva,Dzeko and Carlos which wasnt easy.In one oiece of defending he took one out and then flew into SWP whilst getting a kick on the head for his troubles.The only worrying moment was when yaya overstretched for a ball and went down in a heap with a scream. Physios came flooding across ( Mancini strolled over) but happily after a couple of minutes he was up and carried on playing.
After the game it was finishing practice.Often with this the keepers win the day but today it was the strikers turn.Best of the bunch for me was RSC.Great timing and power and a couple of top headers too. Dzeko was very good as were Ade and Milner.Milner is looking on fire. Poor old Joe wasn't having the best of times and it wouldnt have been helped when one from AJ went through his legs from very close range and he and Milner celebrated it in true playground style. Some of the power in those shots is quite scary when you get close up and I am amazed there are not more hand/finger injuries.
MJ to play a part in the EDS game against Liverpool next week and the word on Assulin is he a couple of weeks away from playing but doing well.
Douglas Higginbottom
Same missing players as yesterday and Michael Johnson was working with the reserves today.Nothing sinister in that but just about even numbers for the sessions.After that initial work most players started some warm up routines but Mancini kept 6 defenders for some routine defensive formation work.The others misxed and matched between some running/fitness routines and some ball work.
The football was a nine a side game ( 8 plus keepers) as a few went in . Lescott,Kolo,Nigel and Zaba.As usual a competitive game and some good skill on show. Great to see Silva fully involved and no doubt being watched closely by Mancini and co re his fitness.One thing for sure is that Dzeko isnt just a header of the ball.RSC was in very good nick and alert to any scraps around goal.With a few defenders missing SWP was given a withdrawn role which isnt his strength but with Patrick alongside he did quite well.
Goal of the day today was Carlos who weaved his way through the middle leaving defenders on the floor and left Shay helpless. Joe Hart was probably hoarse from all his shouting , trying to stop Kolarov and others getting shots away.He is never quiet.Dzeko took a few of his chances really well and Silva looked what he is,class. Kompany was trying to defend against Silva,Dzeko and Carlos which wasnt easy.In one oiece of defending he took one out and then flew into SWP whilst getting a kick on the head for his troubles.The only worrying moment was when yaya overstretched for a ball and went down in a heap with a scream. Physios came flooding across ( Mancini strolled over) but happily after a couple of minutes he was up and carried on playing.
After the game it was finishing practice.Often with this the keepers win the day but today it was the strikers turn.Best of the bunch for me was RSC.Great timing and power and a couple of top headers too. Dzeko was very good as were Ade and Milner.Milner is looking on fire. Poor old Joe wasn't having the best of times and it wouldnt have been helped when one from AJ went through his legs from very close range and he and Milner celebrated it in true playground style. Some of the power in those shots is quite scary when you get close up and I am amazed there are not more hand/finger injuries.
MJ to play a part in the EDS game against Liverpool next week and the word on Assulin is he a couple of weeks away from playing but doing well.
Douglas Higginbottom
