Training Friday 2/10

[Slim]

Cheers dougie,, no after effects lingering over stevie I take it then?

Nothing that I could see. The fitness coaches said he was fine and much chirpier on Tuesday when he first came back and today he was all over the place as is the norm and his touch at times was exquisite. Will he get back in the team though?

I think that's a similar question to the robbie one. If we were clearing the board and picking 11 players, he would be the second name on the teamsheet as far as I'm concerned but while we have depth and a bit of cohesion between the 11 currently in play I think he should be eased back into the side and a bit of focus away from him could do him the world of good.

[Goaters 103]

Great stuff DH, keep it up.

I also agree with you on Ireland - I think he will be on the bench, 4-4-2, Tevez and Ade up top, SWP, De Jong, Barry and Bellers across the middle. We should have quite a tasty bench too with messrs Richards, Petrov, Ireland, RSC and Weiss parked on it.

[10.Goater_Legend]

Cheers Doug.

[Biamp]

I think they regularly do work indoors , whether in the gym or in watching videos and tactical discussions.

Ade looked fine and in great spirits. It will be very interesting watching all the striking talent we have and how it develops over the season. I see no reason why any combination at all would work and I certainly would not rule out Ade playing with RSC. RSC looks fit now but so far we havent really seen the classic goalscorer in training. Some of course but I am sure the touch will return and hopefully where it counts most in matches.

The traing will usually be about 90 minutes with more if some stay back for a bit extra.

And yes I was doing the brolly bit

Top stuff.

[MHiggi]

Cheers, one of your best!

[CITYTILLIDIE11]

Great post mate, you’re getting quite a following with these reports.

Some have resorted to copying and pasting your threads on other forums

[Somerset Blue]

Great to see the squad in such good spirits, that says a lot.

[M147WN]

Doug, you're our eyes and ears re. training and I really look forward to your updates. Another undercover, indepth report far and away above that of the blogmasters and third rate journos who can only cut, paste and most of the time make it up!
I guess you get just as much of a kick out of watching and reporting as we do of 'tuning in' to your reports.
Long may it continue!

What coninues to wipe away the "typical city" mentality is a mixture of undoubted talent (which we now have) but the fact that you report that the squad have more than one member who will accept nothing less than 100% effort and this must filter down to all!

If you mix with the best and most focused you move up to that level and that now appears to be the City way.
I think Mark Hughes has been extreamly astute in his signings, if you signed the best players on paper there's no guarantee they will gel into a coheasive unit but if they get on like a house on fire the cameraderie will be first rate which leads to everyone giving their best and players inproving for the common aim of being the best there is!
I think this process is well under way now at City and the fact that the players get on and enjoy coming to 'work' will only move us forward to the ultimate goal that we've craved for so long ...SUCCESS!!

fellas, its not if, its when! And more power to the likes of MH, MB & EN + the whole set up which has now advanced at warp speed!

Dare we think that the good start to the season is not just a blip but only the start of things to come?
It's the start of things to come alright!
CTID
JC