It was a change of the scene but not the routine for the players on Wednesday when training took place in front of several thousand City fans at the Etihad Stadium.

Vincent Kompany briefs new boys Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic as they prepare to enter the arena for the first time. "I'm an old hand at these things, don't be afraid, they won't bite."

We hope Joe's not got a case of the 'Thousand Yard Stare' yet, the season's not even started. More like an admirable amount of focus from the big fella.

Roberto was going to delay his entrance to get the maximum effect, but he decided to nip out quick when Moonchester started asking him about his team for Sunday.

Looks like that concentration paid off in spades as Joe was put through his paces in front of his adoring public.

"Ahhh! Still got it!" purred Roberto as he rolled back the years with a virtuoso display.

SWP showed off his good pre-season form, and Vladi Weiss looks suitably impressed in a "Padawan learner with Jedi master" kind of way.

"That's it, I'm off!" He may be new on the scene but Stefan's already sussed how to make a quick getaway when the camera lenses are out. There'll be none of that when it comes to the post-match inquisitions he'll get from CityTV...