I thought I would post update from the training ground here so that they are in one place. 21/9/12 Today I was able to watch the youth team train for a while, whilst the first team warmed up. They were split into 3 groups, one was practicing spreading play with long diagonal balls, another was practicing free kicks from the very tip of the D, and the third were practicing setting the ball and playing it past the defender. Some tekkers were good, some tekkers were baaaad. But occasionally there were unbelievable tekkers. Once the first team warmed up they started playing a game where they form a circle and pass the ball between themselves with one touch whilst 2 players attempt to win it back. They have become rather good at this and seem to really enjoy it. Then they moved to a different pitch and split into two teams and played a little match on half a pitch playing from touchline to touchline. There is much improvement to be seen as the play was faster and a lot more varied. However, the usual suspects still seem slow on the up take. Deeney looks sharp as can be expected and you can see that he and Iwelumo have played together as there is a greater understanding that with some. There was a brief worry when Neuton was barged whilst in the air and fell awkwardly on his left arm and the physio had to attend to him. However, it did not look too serious. Finally they split into two groups, one attackers who practiced set plays and shooting in general. The second group, made up of defenders only, were practicing how to defend corners according to Giancarlo Corradini. He seemed very happy with their progress, and I have to agree. From 20+ deliveries there were no shots on target, all were cleared by the defender or claimed by Bond. The atmosphere was very good and everyone seems to be happy and laughing with each other. Nosworthy even found time to do a Ballotelli impression having headed the ball about 40 yards with the side of his head. Zola seemed to enjoy it and mimmicked him. All in all it was a good morning.
There is a public footpath that goes all the way around. I just sit there and watch. You are welcome, you to Frenchie.
Thank-you, young Dan, for taking the time to do this - much appreciated and very interesting. Very often the work that the players do on the training pitch is invisible to the fans. I shall look forward to future installments as and when you can make the sessions.
You are welcome Vic. Im glad you appreciate it. I shall try to post installments on mondays and fridays.
well done Dan, great stuff....looking forward to more. How was m'Bernard doing? He says occasionally he gets to train with the first team, but i was a little disappointed to note he didn't get anywhere near the team or bench that played QPR the other day... Thanks Dan
Bernard blew hot and cold, some balls nestled in the corner of the net, others hit the corner flag. He was taking free kicks.
UPDATE 24/9/12 Today the weather was appalling (narrowly worse than our defending) so there was only a small group outside today. The rest were probably smart and in the gym. However, there was a group out so this is what they got up to. When I arrived the group, consisting of Hogg, Hall, Hodgson, Hoban, Forsyth, McGinn, Deeney, Murray, Belleck, Iwelumo, Forestieri and Zola, were kicking the ball about on half a pitch, seeminly working on control and vision. They then had to move the ball from one side of a cone square to the other whilst the opposing team tried to win the ball back. They then progressed up to having shots on goal. Hodgson looked good on the right, three times putting in crossed from which a goal was scored. The worry was that the physio seemed to be paying close attention to a few players. Unfortunately due to the pooring rain I could not make out who. They then moved to another pitch where they would run the length of the pitch, jogging for 30 seconds and then sprinting for 30 seconds. There were a few surprises as to who was out in front and who lagged behind. I will let you guys guess who lagged, just to see how surprised you are.
Just around the corner from where I work is Cov City's training ground and I think what they do is invisible to the players as well.
