MCFC training report 22/09/2012

Bright sunshine at Carrington for a good session today. The first 4 out were Maicon, Razak, Clichy and Carlos. Brian Kidd said a quick hello before he went over to greet players and then showed his golf swing off to Carlos. Once all out Mancini did his usual briefing including the keepers which isn't always the norm. Quite a short one which broke off as the boss wanted to give a quick message on a defensive situation. All players glued to every word.

20 out today, just Maicon added to yesterday's group. Jogs, short exercises were followed by keep ball exercises right next the fence under my nose. It was a little like schoolboys in the playground! Lots of fun and laughter amongst the "serious" business of moving the ball around with one touch. Loads of voices heard including Nasti, Edin, Vinnie and Yaya. Kolarov clearly like to play the jester, Pablo fancies his singing and Yaya is a big kid!

Off to a game with the small nets and 1 or 2 touch as shouted out by Ivan changing it around frequently and just one goal in this part scored I think by Sergio with a calm finish. Stretches are often called for by Ivan in between changes of the game and then onto the big nets with 2 ouches and 5 passes needed before a goal can be scored only with a header. GazBaz came closest before Kolo nodded home after a rebound off the bar. Stretches then the small nets again and two touch football with a 1 trouch finish needed. SS scored in this and for those who struggle with initials, yes it's Scott Sinclair.

A liitle break for a drink and then some short sharp exercises in, out and around cones before the final game. Defences in charge at the start before a lovely chipped free kick from Zaba set Kolarov up for a sidefoot volleyed goal. Great attacking goal but not great that the defenders didnt see AK in space. Rodders had a great chance but smacked a post and then AK just wide.

Sergio was looking good to me and showed great speed and strength to shrug off a defender and win a corner. Garcia's header from it was blocked. Sergio then squeezed a goal in from the tightest of angles and then Rodders hit the post again from a Silva pull back. I can easily see Jack playing in a variety of midfield roles and not just the anchorman.

Mario was on hand to tap in after a good save had been made and then shot just over as did Sergio at the other end, Edin brought a great save from Costel. Plenty of Nasti on show today and it's easy to see why Platt has said he is ready now. At this time it was good to see Nasri and Micah out working 1 to 1 with physios.

Back to the goals and Silva made a great pass to Kolarov to score his second. Plenty of complaints that Silva was offside but it looked good to me. Tight but onside benefit of the doubt.C lichy then provided the perfect cross for a Sergio headed goal and then again Mario in the right place right time to tap in amid defensive confusion.

And that was the end of the game.Good session today and lots of energy on show today in preparation for the Arse game. The usual suspects stayed for some more work. Clichy today working on defending crosses while Edin, Kolarov and Sinclair practicing shooting. Nasti watched on in the continuing sunshine. As I left Micah was being worked hard by 2 physios.