Fabio Borini

[Havors]

Him and Countinho were our most lively and up for it players last night. They both have to start against Newcastle for me.

[Pablo]

Him and Countinho were our most lively and up for it players last night. They both have to start against Newcastle for me.

Phil was funny last night. It's obvious he's been working on his shooting which it great. But I've never seen him be so greedy. The amount of times he shot when someone was better placed was incredible. His confidence is up which is great but he needs to dial it down a notch

[Norbs]

I bet neither does though

[meffin]

I'd start him and Balotelli up top. Lambert isn't up to it and we need 2 strikers

[Camble]

I've said for a while that Borini should be starting above Ballotelli because our style of play is much better suited to Borini and I've been shot down.

He's not the greatest player ever but he has a high workfare and can put pressure on opponents etc - something which made us so successful last season, pressure from the front and a high tempo.

[DannyMan2006]

I've said for a while that Borini should be starting above Ballotelli because our style of play is much better suited to Borini and I've been shot down.

He's not the greatest player ever but he has a high workfare and can put pressure on opponents etc - something which made us so successful last season, pressure from the front and a high tempo.

I'll have to disagree. I see all your points and reasons why. But Borini will never be good enough to start up top as the main man for us. That's why we have to go through short term pain and try and get Mario to adjust his game.

The ideal signing was one who came ready made. I'm hearing we tried and failed in moves for Remy, Falcao, Benzema, Cavani & Higuain. For differing reasons. But Mario wasn't first choice and he was a gamble. But it's one we have to play out now.

[Pablo]

I'll have to disagree. I see all your points and reasons why. But Borini will never be good enough to start up top as the main man for us. That's why we have to go through short term pain and try and get Mario to adjust his game.

The ideal signing was one who came ready made. I'm hearing we tried and failed in moves for Remy, Falcao, Benzema, Cavani & Higuain. For differing reasons. But Mario wasn't first choice and he was a gamble. But it's one we have to play out now.

I agree with this. For me Borini is a support striker, I would never play him as a lone striker. It would be to his detriment. He did his best work yesterday in the wide areas. He's a mobile player who needs some licence to roam. I think he'll be at his best alongside another central striker personally.

[dww]

I agree with this. For me Borini is a support striker, I would never play him as a lone striker. It would be to his detriment. He did his best work yesterday in the wide areas. He's a mobile player who needs some licence to roam. I think he'll be at his best alongside another central striker personally.

We seem to have a lot of players who like to be in a front pairing but a comparative reluctance to play one.

Borini did well at Sunderland on his own up front at times so he can do it. However I tend to agree that as we need to win games he would not be a good choice for us in that role.

[DannyMan2006]

I agree with this. For me Borini is a support striker, I would never play him as a lone striker. It would be to his detriment. He did his best work yesterday in the wide areas. He's a mobile player who needs some licence to roam. I think he'll be at his best alongside another central striker personally.

Exactly. I think it showed up when he was at SAFC. If he's a lone striker he should have been in that central position for them where the quality of forwards isn't high.

But what he lacks in quality he does make up for it with high energy and intelligent movement. I've seen him likened to Kuyt and it's not a million miles away. Scores in big games and has similar traits. Kuyt infuriated me, but he was a useful player.

[RichC]

I agree with this. For me Borini is a support striker, I would never play him as a lone striker. It would be to his detriment. He did his best work yesterday in the wide areas. He's a mobile player who needs some licence to roam. I think he'll be at his best alongside another central striker personally.

[BigChief]

I couldn't see anything but rubbish from Borini last night (barring one cross) but at the end of the day he runs and runs. He's also the reason Coutinho looks better, so maybe I need to take the red-rage haze glasses off.

[tsb]

Hopefully solidifies our need to play someone up with Balotelli. Mobility is something he adds which helps keeps the opposition on the back foot and helps to relieve pressure on our defence. Good shout for a start v Newcastle, especially with the added spice that comes from his recent loan at Sunderland.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

He was good last night, not brilliant but good and even still that is a big improvement on what we've had lately!

Something I was surprised about is with his clever movement we've all banged on about in the past that him and Coutinho didn't link up more, maybe that will come with games.

[Robbie-9-Fowler]

Hopefully solidifies our need to play someone up with Balotelli. Mobility is something he adds which helps keeps the opposition on the back foot and helps to relieve pressure on our defence. Good shout for a start v Newcastle, especially with the added spice that comes from his recent loan at Sunderland.

Not only someone up with Balotelli but playing with 2 strikers at all times for me. I don't think any of our strikers are suited to playing as a lone striker and will all suffer when isolated.

[BigChief]

He was good last night, not brilliant but good and even still that is a big improvement on what we've had lately!

Something I was surprised about is with his clever movement we've all banged on about in the past that him and Coutinho didn't link up more, maybe that will come with games.

Borini was always open for a pass from Coutinho but it seemed Phil was under instructions to be greedy last night. Which is why Coutinho ignored the wide passes and went for goal at every opportunity.

Good, that's what these games are for. So yes, I am liking Borini even more.