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A short and fairly eventless session today. It was a late 2pm start and there was a reserve game going on and well into the 2nd half when I arrived. A senior cup game v Stockport apparently and we were 4 nil up at half time and missed a penalty. 2 players in that game ( Trippier and Mee) were taken off at half time as they will be in the squad for the Scunny game.

Missing players today were Toure and Petrov both with injuries we knew about and not going to play tomorrow. Ade also missing but more precautionary than anything and Bridge with the knee problem Hughes has talked about.Also training today was Vidal and it's seems the new solution to the full back problem...David Ball. He played quite well there too and on one foray forward late on scored a really good goal passed Shay.Good to see RSC playing a full part so hopefully ready to play tomorrow.

Quite a crowd there today as it's half term week so they decided to do the football practice on a half pitch away from where we allwere. As football goes it was very stop and start because Eddie was still focussing mainly on defensive issues and stopping the flow constantly to get his messages across. Communication was a big part in to make sure that the players let each other know what is going on around them, when to press etc etc.

It wasn't easy to hear what was being said but clearly again no punches were being pulled.Not the best session for watching fans as they were a distance away and there was very little match practice going on but plenty of tactical and team defensive work.Bowen joined in quite a bit and even Hughes was in the middle of the pitch as the coaches chatted all the time.

Lets hope all the right messages got across and it shows in future games.

Not the best of days for my sistor, Her boyfriend and my Niece to go to was it but interesting none the less. We will have to see if Eddie message gets across hey! You and me could hear eddie screaming orders a mile away haha.

Great report again by the way Doug

Seems like the gaffer and coaches are really fooked off about the Fulham game...Nice to see extra effort bein put into defending.

It's good to hear that Hughes and the coaches trying their best to make sure their messages get across. Who do you think will get Toure's place? and what if Bridge is not available, will Sylvinho or Garrido get the start ahead? Do you think RSC and Johnno will have a decent run in tomorrow's game?

Biamp wrote:It's good to hear that Hughes and the coaches trying their best to make sure their messages get across. Who do you think will get Toure's place? and what if Bridge is not available, will Sylvinho or Garrido get the start ahead? Do you think RSC and Johnno will have a decent run in tomorrow's game?

I would expect Vinnie to be a cert with Zabba at full back and Micah having a rest. Not sure about RSC. If he hadnt had the illness I think he might have started but now he may not. Johnno I expect will play a sub role. Also not sure about who would replace Bridge , probably Garrido but Silvinho wouldnt be a problem either.

I really hope we see Slyvinho, abit of class at left back, although im not slagging bridge off.

I hope Weiss gets a start 2mo

might have a drive down this week.

What time are these training sessions usually on ?
I've spent most of this week at Uni trying to stay awake :(

Doesn't surprise they aren't pulling any punches??

They obviously saw the last half of Sunday's match.

CitizenYank wrote:Doesn't surprise they aren't pulling any punches??

They obviously saw the last half of Sunday's match.

Thank you captain obvious.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:

Biamp wrote:It's good to hear that Hughes and the coaches trying their best to make sure their messages get across. Who do you think will get Toure's place? and what if Bridge is not available, will Sylvinho or Garrido get the start ahead? Do you think RSC and Johnno will have a decent run in tomorrow's game?

I would expect Vinnie to be a cert with Zabba at full back and Micah having a rest. Not sure about RSC. If he hadnt had the illness I think he might have started but now he may not. Johnno I expect will play a sub role. Also not sure about who would replace Bridge , probably Garrido but Silvinho wouldnt be a problem either.

Surely Sylvinho must be better than Garrido Douglas? Or why sign him?

Is David Ball a forward?

Silvinho undoubtedly was better than Garrido and may still be but there is a chance that Garrido might get the nod to show some faith in a more long standing squad player. Not just that though as Garrido has been training well , as has Silvinho , and does deserve a chance. From the little match practice I have seen of Silvinho he wasn't actually that great. Anyway I expect Bridge to play.

Yes David Ball is a forward , a striker actually but for the start of the training he was playing a deep wide right role as that's what was needed for the session.

Training usually starts at 11am but not always ( yesterday was at 2pm). The next real session will be Friday I expect but again not sure what time.

Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Yes David Ball is a forward , a striker actually but for the start of the training he was playing a deep wide right role as that's what was needed for the session.

Nice one. Couldn't remember if he was or not.

Am really surprised that more use hasn't been made of Michael Johnson as an impact sub. In the few minutes he was on for the Fulham cup game he made two delicious passes over the heads of the defenders for SWP to run on to. Interesting that Adebayour's interview also mentions Johnson as a quality player WHO DOES NOT PANIC. After Sunday it would seem to me that such an animal would be a perfect fit for us at the moment

dikdik wrote:Am really surprised that more use hasn't been made of Michael Johnson as an impact sub. In the few minutes he was on for the Fulham cup game he made two delicious passes over the heads of the defenders for SWP to run on to. Interesting that Adebayour's interview also mentions Johnson as a quality player WHO DOES NOT PANIC. After Sunday it would seem to me that such an animal would be a perfect fit for us at the moment

I think they are involving him in the squad and will look to get him on the pitch in the right circumstances. The WHU game was ideal as we were winning by 2 and he got a few minutes with little or no pressure in the game.Since then we havent had that luxury but tonight lets hope it fits again. He really does seem to be over the injury problem that gave him the pain but getting back to full fitness takes time. It is coming bit by bit and from his training I think I can see the steady improvement in his workrate.What Ade has seen is somebody with a good touch an eye for a pass and doesnt panic when receiving the ball under pressure. I think in an MJ gave a couple of weeks back he set December as a target and I think that's about right.