Courtesy of DH:

All eyes on Fulop today as a few extra photographers were there. He's a big guy for sure and although one training session proves nothing he had a really good day today from what I saw. Good hands when taking crosses and he actually gets high for them as well. I felt he had a bit of a presence about him too and he made some excellent saves to show good agility. I could say he was crap because Zaba beat him in a one to one but Zaba could do that to anyone!

I do recall the first time I saw Shay in practice he was awful but the next day he took on Middlesboro and we all know what he did in that match. As for the rest NDJ was back out and fully training today but Ade and Bridge were doing more gentle work.They took part in everything but the contact stuff where they went off to work with a physio. Ade looked fine but Bridge has a very heavy strapping on his right leg and isnt ready yet. The fact that he is out there suggests that he has a good chance for Saturday though I am sure.

Barry wasn't training with the group but did come out for some jogging with Carminati doing laps of the full field.The training itself was fairly standard stuff with Mancini as usual taking different groups behind the fencing to work on specific things. Defensive units first before going into the attacking aspects. All the time he is at the centre talking to them and pointing and making sure the message is getting across. Ibrahim and Nimley were the two main reserve extras helping today and even Massimo the keeper coach was involved for a time as a wide right midfield player.

Fulop was involved in some of these exercises with Mancini and his voice could be heard which was good. A bit later he was deep in conversation with Toure and once everyone had gone in the keeper coach was going back out. Quite possible to do extra work with Fulop.Overall today I felt a little more energy in the group as we build up to the weekend. Even in the very early warm up bits there seemed more life and fun.

The last group Mancini had were pure attacking , crossing and finishing and sadly as I have said before Mancini was the best crosser on view. Good to see AJ working from the left for quite a while but early on with him and SWP crossing Mancini stopped it , walked over took one himself which was perfect fro RSC to power a header in.So simple and he demonstrated very clearly what he wanted.They simply don't have the natural ability the boss has.In the session though RSC did get better service overall and hit the net a lot.Bellers decent and Tevez clearly saving it for when it matters.He did get alitle frustrated at the end and simply picked a ball up and booted into the field behind the goal.

One incident to report from the 6 a side game that was played alongside Mancini's work. NDJ who always gives his all in training went over the top with studs showing in what was a clear leg breaker. It was all in frustration after he missed a chance and fortunately it was the goalpost he went for about 4 feet up! And his scream was very loud as he did it as well. Almost as loud as Bellers a few times today when something wasn't right. He could be heard a long way off but the players just ignored him and got on with it. I must balance that to say that yet again he trained really well and often with a smile and is a great influence to those around him as AJ said last night.

NMT

many thanks as usual!!

looks like fulop will start on saturday then

Sterling work NMT. Thanks mate

I think you'll find they were sprints.

thanks NMT - much appreciated insight, as always.

Wonder if Mancini fancies a few Premiership games?

God bless him....

Well I was going to say if we haven't got a better crosser than him in the squad we need to rectify that.

We know SWP is poor in this are. And Bridge's stats are not clever either.

Funnily enough the only person who I can remember putting in a few teasing aerial crosses is Zaba. And with both feet.

The premier league would never allow it. They would, however, let us have Carlton Palmer as that wouldn't give us an advantage.