by Douglas Higginbottom » Wed Nov 04, 2009 2:58 pm
Back again and after 2 days off it was a double session!! Actually all that meant was they worked indoors in the morning and ouytsdie for just over an hour in the afternoon. Missing were Lescott (knee) RSC ( badly swollen ankle from Saturday) Vinnie (tight hammy) and Bridge ( knee). All hoped to be ok for weekend but I would always think the hamstring is the dodgiest one.
Not a great deal to report on what they did. Spirit seemed quite good although taking a bit of time to warm up. Ade practised his goal celebration early on so I hope that is needed this weekend. Not 100% I would say though with Ade who seemed to be feeling his way back. They went into a match after the warm ups and Stevie quickly got a clattering from Zabba which didn't phase him but then he stretched for a ball and seemed in a bit of trouble. He shook it off pretty quickly and seemed to ignore the physios checking on him.
Micah also came out worse in a tussle with Toure ( he fouled Toure) and left the field for a while but was ok quickly. Only one goal when Tevez was put through and rounded Shay! But the best move was long crossfield ball to Petrov from NDJ which he played first time to Benji just inside the box. He laid it back and Petrov hit a curling right footer onto the post. Benji was lining up the rebound but was flagged offside ( some things don't change)
In the brief chats I had it was clear that Sunday was seen as a real disappointment. Too many players not playing well at the same time and key things in the game not being done well. Lots of work to be done on retention of the ball and playing in the oppos half and starting from the back. More players making runs is situations like when Tevez comes deep and more getting into the box etc etc. Today wasn't an overly tactical session and defences clearly were on top.
Good to see Toure back training and even better to see Nedum out there. He didn't do anything special but looked fine.