I was one of 4 watching training today which started in monsoon like rain sweeping across sideways at times.The others were Stuart Pearce,Brian Horton and Phil Brown. The difference being I was the only 1 behind the fence!
Missing today were the well known injuries plus Lescott and Ade. Boateng still not out but maybe a possible for weeekend. Back out though was Wayne Bridge and also Michael Johnson.The reserves on show today ( bearing in mind the match tonight v Arsenal) were Boyata,Cunningham,Guidetti and Razzak. Mancini did a few sessions behind the fences but the majority was on the pitch in the open which was good.
Initially Mancini took full teams for some work and it was the 2nd group that had the look of the team for Thursday and was a 4.4.2 witha diamond midfield of NDJ,Yaya,Barry and Silva and Jo up top with Carlos. At the back it was Zaba,Boyata,Vinnie and Bridge. They worked almost entirely on passing and moving and were looking pretty good.After 5 or 10 minutes they switched for Razzak,Micah,Kolo,Cunningham.SWP,Vieira,Milner and AJ with Guidetti up front with RSC.
After those session they had a game with 2 full size goals for one team to score in and the other team just had to defend and break forward with no goals at all.MJ was the guy who played for both teams. A role that seemed to suit him and quite often he released a player with clever well timed passes.As ever it seems Jo got a goal or 2, Barry set Milner up for an easy one, SWP was very lively and all in all it was a good competitive session.
When Mancini again took a group behind the fence ( this time all the defenders) I stayed to watch all the midfield and strikers work on crossing and finishing. Overall I would say the keepers won the day but it wasn't easy for finishing as the wind was strong. Great to hear all the banter going on. Joe was giving Greg Cunningham some stick.Shay was in a real fun mood winding plenty of them up. Carlos came across as very determined and was the best finisher on the day. RSC had one of his better days.NDJ was desperate to score. The attackers worked in pairs and he was paired with Patrick and they were at each other a bit in good fun.It took a while for Patrick to finally leave one for NDJ to sweep one home.
The groups switched and the defenders tried the finishing bit and the difference was evident. There is no doubt who enjoyed scoring most and that was Vinnie.The keepers kept saving and giving stick with Micah getting loads but he got his own back with 2 great finishes late on much to Joe's annoyance.
Picking on one or 2 players I thought Silva was looking good. He isn't involved like some midfielders but he really does have a class touch and superb awareness. Milner is perpetual motion and seems to me the best crosser of the ball by far.Nigel also has a top first touch and awareness but his play is all about simplicity rather than trying to be clever like Silva. They just play in different parts of the field is all that is.Micah hurt himself making a brilliant last ditch saving tackle but seemed to shrug it off. Yaya was getting some strapping but again it seemed nothing.RSC had a good day and was finishing well. AJ looking good but that last ball wasn't quite right.Guidetti worked very hard and showed some good touches but didn't get his finishing right on the day.
All in all a strong hard session and really good spirits all round. Fun to see the 3 other managers running for cover early on in the rain with only one brolly between them ( not that it was much use anyway)
