La Manga

[vantage]

Anyone know what time the team arrive there today? I might just take an hour or so off work and pop down to get some photos.....sad I know. But I can always claim that I was doing it for my little'un......

Any info gratefully received.

[Shaggy]

Anyone know what time the team arrive there today? I might just take an hour or so off work and pop down to get some photos.....sad I know. But I can always claim that I was doing it for my little'un......

Any info gratefully received.

It's not sad at all, go for it!!

Where's Jimthered when we need him? Jim? Jim? JIM? JIM? JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM?

He's not heard me.

JIM? JIM?

[ARIMAN]

Anyone know what time the team arrive there today? I might just take an hour or so off work and pop down to get some photos.....sad I know. But I can always claim that I was doing it for my little'un......

Any info gratefully received.

Good place to do transfer dealings, especially with the Spainish league (out of the eye of the British media)

[TheStig]

I just hope it doesn't end like last time .

[Jack D Rips]

I just hope it doesn't end like last time .

Winning 2 - 1 at Barcelona?

[Harv]

It's not sad at all, go for it!!

Where's Jimthered when we need him? Jim? Jim? JIM? JIM? JIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIM?

He's not heard me.

JIM? JIM?

Partridge

[Kaip]

Anyone know what time the team arrive there today? I might just take an hour or so off work and pop down to get some photos.....sad I know. But I can always claim that I was doing it for my little'un......

Any info gratefully received.

They will be there tonight

[rushscored4]

Good place to do transfer dealings, especially with the Spainish league (out of the eye of the British media)

I don't think Rafa will allow any distractions before the match next week. In fact when I spoke to him earlier he said this:

My idea es thees: I think it ees important for the players to remain fockussed to give us possibilities, no?

[Pacman]

I don't think Rafa will allow any distractions before the match next week. In fact when I spoke to him earlier he said this:

He said to me:

[QUOTE] You know my idea no? We have a big SQWAD and many possibilities. We are only focussssinng on the next game [QUOTE]

[vantage]

They will be there tonight

Thanks for that...............

[jonesie]

I think they're flying out today aren't they? I know it wasn't yesterday because I saw Jermaine Pennant in town. I was close to asking him if he had any spares for the final.

[vantage]

I think so too. The local airport, just 5 mins from here is a better bet for them than Alicante. It is used by the military in the morning (the Spanish Aerobatic team training) then they land and about 2.00 pm commercial flights start to land.

One hour ago there was a large area cordoned off and a coach parked up. I asked security and they said they knew nothing. Of course, they could be going to Alicante.

[vantage]

I'm told they are due to land at 17.50 local time. In just over half an hour.

*Grabs camera phone and is gone.......

[vantage]

Pah. Got nothing other than a long range shot of a coach, well two coaches as Rafa was in the front as well. The airport parked the plane right next to the coach and ushered it out without so much as passport control in sight.

I shall endeavour to visit La Manga this week to see if I can get any more photo's.

This time with someone in them. I did see Carra and Zenden on the bus though......

[sitoca]

Updates from La Manga

The lads arrived at the La Manga Club on Tuesday evening for a late training session, having trained at Anfield only a few hours earlier in front of the watching media.

As you are aware, KopTalk duo Dunk and Steve are at the La Manga keeping an eye on things for you. They are also staying in the same hotel/complex which is within the La Manga Club grounds.

We have to accept some responsibility while out here so we won't be chasing the players around or getting in the way. We also won't be reporting what training moves and tactics are worked on. Whatever we post here will be repeated on other websites and before you know news of certain set-pieces routines and so on will be all over the world.


What we can do is inform you things that the media are speculating on, as we're here we can either confirm or deny such reports.

Here's some notes that may be of interest:

LUIS GARCIA

Lil Luis is training at La Manga but as of yet he hasn't been involved with the ball or the rest of the squad. He's basically jogging, jogging and jogging around the perimeter of the private pitches. He doesn't look tired, quite the opposite.

MOMO SISSOKO

Like Garcia, he hasn't been involved with the rest of the squad yet but he has been working with a ball (solo) when not running. Doesn't look as fit as Garcia but he maybe needs to adapt to the heat more.

JERZY DUDEK

Didn't play in the practice matches on day 1. Worked with the goalkeeping coach and physio (concentrating on stretches).

PEPE REINA

Also didn't play in the practice matches on day 1. Worked with the goalkeeping coach (Concentration on getting down low to work that shoulder. Has a strap on right hand/wrist under gloves). Played outfield (midfield) in practice match.

XABI ALONSO

Looked very tired. Maybe not a good traveller. But this was only day one so we'll keep an eye on him for you.

PETER CROUCH

Best player in training by a mile. Scored with his head and rounded the 'keeper before scoring. Looked fine under the heat.

HARRY KEWELL

Looked very happy and lively. We noticed a lot of concentration on him but won't comment much more as this may give away tactics.

ROBBIE FOWLER

Sad to see him leaving but you wouldn't think his career was coming to an end. Looked lively and fresh throughout, supplied loads of chips/crosses into the areas for Crouch and co. Reads the game so well.

CRAIG BELLAMY

Was spoken to a lot by the boss. Certainly no signs of any friction. Rafa was always encouraging him, speaking to him... "Like this Craig". A lot of mutual respect on display and it wasn't staged (this wasn't an open session).

STEVE FINNAN

We noticed that he along with Crouch and Bellamy were more reserved where as Kuyt and Fowler were running all over the place. Kewell was another who took it easy but still looked very fit.

RAFA

Was very proud showing the players the area when arriving on the team bus. Absolutely worshipped by the Spanish people. Stopped for every single fan for photos and autographs after training, as you will see on our day 1 video.

More updates as and when we have anything to report.